1957 Map of Bowie

About this map

Bowie and its surrounding Maryland countryside are captured here during a period of significant suburban expansion, where new residential streets and schools like Heather Hills Sch begin to press against established rural landscapes. The meandering Patuxent River serves as a natural boundary between Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties, its wetlands preserved in part by the Patuxent River Watershed Park. This landscape reveals a complex mix of uses, from the U S Military Reservation Air Force Transmitter Station to the Bowie Race Track Stables. Long-standing rural settlements such as Davidsonville and Mitchellville remain distinct, anchored by historic social centers like Sacred Heart Ch, St Pauls Ch, and Carroll Chapel. Significant sand and gravel extraction is visible along the riverbanks, particularly near Priest Bridge, marking the intersection of the region's natural resources and the material demands of mid-century infrastructure growth.