1957 Map of Laurel

About this map

The Patuxent River corridor serves as the central axis for this mid-century landscape, dividing the growing suburban centers of Laurel and Bowie from the expansive institutional holdings of the federal government. Massive tracts are dedicated to the U S Dept of Agriculture Research Center and the Fort George G Meade Military Reservation, creating a distinct pattern of concentrated residential development alongside wide-open research and military grounds. Cultural and educational landmarks include the Laurel Sanitarium, the Maryland State Teachers College, and the prominent Laurel Race Track near the Howard and Prince Georges county line. Local heritage is preserved in sites like Perkins Chapel, St Jacobs Cemetery, and Duckettsville, while the Baltimore and Ohio RR and Pennsylvania RR lines trace the historical transportation routes that shaped these communities.