Accokeek, Maryland
Encyclopedia
Accokeek is an unincorporated area
and census-designated place
(CDP) in Prince George's County
, Maryland
, United States
, located about 8.5 miles southwest of Washington, D.C.
The population was 7,349 at the 2000 census. It is home to Piscataway Park
.
, the home of President George Washington
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP has a total area of 23.4 square miles (60.6 km²), of which, 22.4 square miles (58 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it (4.31%) is water.
. Father Andrew White
, an English Jesuit
missionary
, later visited the Indian village and chief in nearby Piscataway
, MD. English farmers and planters settled the area in the late 17th century, and Christ Episcopal Church was established in 1723. Marshall Hall
was an outstanding colonial home southwest of Accokeek, in the river bottomlands near Bryans Road, Maryland
.
Henry and Alice Ferguson settled in Accokeek when they purchased "Hard Bargain Farm" overlooking the Potomac River
in 1922, as a vacation retreat. Henry Ferguson (1882–1966), an Ivy League
-educated man (Harvard and Yale
), worked for the Geological Survey
starting in 1911. Alice Leczinska Lowe Ferguson (1880–1951), wife of Henry Gardiner Ferguson, trained as a painter at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C, and had interests in archeology as well.
Supposing it to be the site of the Moyaone (or Moyoane) Indian Village in Accokeek visited by Captain John Smith
, during his early explorations of North America, in the 1930s Alice Ferguson initiated archeological excavations. She wrote papers on the Piscataway Indians.
A recent source states that while the site is probably not the one described by Captain John Smith, it is nonetheless still important. In 1966, the Accokeek Creek Site
was made a National Historic Landmark
.
After World War II
, Maryland Route 210
, a new two-lane highway to Washington, D.C.
opened rural Accokeek to settlement by commuters. It attracted a limited number of settlers, especially U.S. Naval scientists and other intellectuals who built contemporary-style homes in an ecologically protected restricted area of west Accokeek called the "Moyaone Reserve". It retains a rural scenic character still to this day. Some of these homes were designed individually by architect Charles Wagner, an early Moyaone resident whose family are still active in the community.
Not until about 1990 did large-scale housing developments come closer to Accokeek than Fort Washington, Maryland
. That was shortly followed by a supermarket, public library, and improved bus transit. Plans to build a Wal-Mart
were defeated by local activists.
The Federally run National Colonial Farm
, and the adjacent but separate Hard Bargain (Ferguson Foundation) Farm, are educational facilities enjoyed by families and school groups throughout the year. They offer numerous living-history festivals, a fishing pier, avant-garde theater play performances, a colorful Oktoberfest, and environmental education through overnight camps.
In the 1990s, Maryland Route 228
was linked with Route 210, offering Accokeek residents faster access to shopping in the fast-growing city of Waldorf
. The intersection of Route 210 and Route 228, is one of only a handful of continuous flow intersection
s in the United States.
Italian arms company Beretta
opened a factory in Accokeek in the 1970s. It won a federal contract to produce pistols for the military in 1985.
:
died, and at least four were injured, when a vehicle that was involved in a second, separate race ran through a crowd standing in the middle of Indian Head Highway (MD-210)
in Accokeek.
of 2000, there were 7,349 people, 2,423 households, and 1,952 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 327.9 people per square mile (126.6/km²). There were 2,562 housing units at an average density of 114.3/sq mi (44.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 43.16% White, 47.60% African American, 0.52% Native American, 5.20% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.97% from other races
, and 2.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.34% of the population.
There were 2,423 households out of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.1% were married couples
living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.4% were non-families. 14.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.33.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $79,419, and the median income for a family was $82,314. Males had a median income of $48,545 versus $39,016 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $29,519. About 2.3% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
and census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) in Prince George's County
Prince George's County, Maryland
Prince George's County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, immediately north, east, and south of Washington, DC. As of 2010, it has a population of 863,420 and is the wealthiest African-American majority county in the nation....
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, located about 8.5 miles southwest of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
The population was 7,349 at the 2000 census. It is home to Piscataway Park
Piscataway Park
Piscataway Park, located southwest of downtown Washington, D.C., near Accokeek, Maryland, protects Marshall Hall and the National Colonial Farm. The park is located across the Potomac River from George Washington's Mount Vernon estate....
.
Geography
Accokeek is located at 38°40′20"N 77°1′5"W (38.672216, -77.018072). Accokeek is located directly across the Potomac River from Mount VernonMount Vernon (plantation)
Mount Vernon, located near Alexandria, Virginia, was the plantation home of the first President of the United States, George Washington. The mansion is built of wood in neoclassical Georgian architectural style, and the estate is located on the banks of the Potomac River.Mount Vernon was designated...
, the home of President George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP has a total area of 23.4 square miles (60.6 km²), of which, 22.4 square miles (58 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (2.6 km²) of it (4.31%) is water.
History
Captain John Smith was the first European to see the Accokeek area when he sailed up the Potomac RiverPotomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
. Father Andrew White
Andrew White (missionary)
Andrew White, S.J. was an English Jesuit missionary who was involved in the founding of the Maryland colony. He was a chronicler of the early colony, and his writings are a primary source on the land, the Native Americans of the area, and the Jesuit mission in North America...
, an English Jesuit
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
, later visited the Indian village and chief in nearby Piscataway
Piscataway, Maryland
Piscataway is an unincorporated community in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. It is one of the oldest European-colonized communities in the state...
, MD. English farmers and planters settled the area in the late 17th century, and Christ Episcopal Church was established in 1723. Marshall Hall
Marshall Hall, Maryland
Marshall Hall, Maryland is the site of the Marshall family mansion. Marshall Hall is located near Bryan's Road in Charles County, Maryland, next to the Potomac River, more or less across from Mount Vernon, Virginia, the home of George Washington. The home was one of the finest built on the...
was an outstanding colonial home southwest of Accokeek, in the river bottomlands near Bryans Road, Maryland
Bryans Road, Maryland
Bryans Road is a census-designated place in Charles County, Maryland, United States. Bryans Road was named after Oliver Norris Bryan, a 19th century farmer and scientist who owned and operated Locust Grove Farm near Marshall Hall, Maryland. The area consisted mostly of tobacco farms until the...
.
Henry and Alice Ferguson settled in Accokeek when they purchased "Hard Bargain Farm" overlooking the Potomac River
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
in 1922, as a vacation retreat. Henry Ferguson (1882–1966), an Ivy League
Ivy League
The Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The conference name is also commonly used to refer to those eight schools as a group...
-educated man (Harvard and Yale
YALE
RapidMiner, formerly YALE , is an environment for machine learning, data mining, text mining, predictive analytics, and business analytics. It is used for research, education, training, rapid prototyping, application development, and industrial applications...
), worked for the Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
starting in 1911. Alice Leczinska Lowe Ferguson (1880–1951), wife of Henry Gardiner Ferguson, trained as a painter at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C, and had interests in archeology as well.
Supposing it to be the site of the Moyaone (or Moyoane) Indian Village in Accokeek visited by Captain John Smith
John Smith of Jamestown
Captain John Smith Admiral of New England was an English soldier, explorer, and author. He was knighted for his services to Sigismund Bathory, Prince of Transylvania and friend Mózes Székely...
, during his early explorations of North America, in the 1930s Alice Ferguson initiated archeological excavations. She wrote papers on the Piscataway Indians.
A recent source states that while the site is probably not the one described by Captain John Smith, it is nonetheless still important. In 1966, the Accokeek Creek Site
Accokeek Creek Site
Accokeek Creek Site, also known as Moyaone, is an archaeological site in Prince George's County, Maryland.According to the National Park Service, "Occupied intermittently from about 2000 BC, this site, on a low sandy Potomac River terrace opposite Mount Vernon, is remarkable for its variety and...
was made a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
.
After World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Maryland Route 210
Maryland Route 210
Maryland Route 210 , or Indian Head Highway, is a state highway in Prince George's and Charles counties in Maryland. At its northern end, MD 210 starts from the end of South Capitol Street in Washington, D.C., connecting the U.S. Capitol with Indian Head, Maryland...
, a new two-lane highway to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
opened rural Accokeek to settlement by commuters. It attracted a limited number of settlers, especially U.S. Naval scientists and other intellectuals who built contemporary-style homes in an ecologically protected restricted area of west Accokeek called the "Moyaone Reserve". It retains a rural scenic character still to this day. Some of these homes were designed individually by architect Charles Wagner, an early Moyaone resident whose family are still active in the community.
Not until about 1990 did large-scale housing developments come closer to Accokeek than Fort Washington, Maryland
Fort Washington, Maryland
Fort Washington, Maryland is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland in the suburbs of the capital city of the United States of America, Washington, D.C., south of the downtown district. It is a prosperous community with an African American majority...
. That was shortly followed by a supermarket, public library, and improved bus transit. Plans to build a Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
were defeated by local activists.
The Federally run National Colonial Farm
Piscataway Park
Piscataway Park, located southwest of downtown Washington, D.C., near Accokeek, Maryland, protects Marshall Hall and the National Colonial Farm. The park is located across the Potomac River from George Washington's Mount Vernon estate....
, and the adjacent but separate Hard Bargain (Ferguson Foundation) Farm, are educational facilities enjoyed by families and school groups throughout the year. They offer numerous living-history festivals, a fishing pier, avant-garde theater play performances, a colorful Oktoberfest, and environmental education through overnight camps.
In the 1990s, Maryland Route 228
Maryland Route 228
Maryland Route 228 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known as Berry Road, the state highway runs from MD 210 in Accokeek east to U.S. Route 301 and MD 5 Business in Waldorf...
was linked with Route 210, offering Accokeek residents faster access to shopping in the fast-growing city of Waldorf
Waldorf
- People :* William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor , financier and statesman* Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor , businessman and politician- Communities :United States* Waldorf, Maryland* Waldorf, MinnesotaGermany...
. The intersection of Route 210 and Route 228, is one of only a handful of continuous flow intersection
Continuous flow intersection
Continuous flow intersection , also called a crossover displaced left-turn , is an at-grade intersection that moves the turning vehicles, conflicting with the through-movements , out of the main intersection...
s in the United States.
Italian arms company Beretta
Beretta
Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta is an Italian firearms manufacturer. Their firearms are used worldwide for a variety of civilian, law enforcement, and military purposes. It is also known for manufacturing shooting clothes and accessories. Beretta is the oldest active firearms manufacturer in the...
opened a factory in Accokeek in the 1970s. It won a federal contract to produce pistols for the military in 1985.
National Register of Historic Places sites
The following sites located at Accokeek are included on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
:
| Landmark name | Image | Date listed | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accokeek Creek Site Accokeek Creek Site Accokeek Creek Site, also known as Moyaone, is an archaeological site in Prince George's County, Maryland.According to the National Park Service, "Occupied intermittently from about 2000 BC, this site, on a low sandy Potomac River terrace opposite Mount Vernon, is remarkable for its variety and... |
1966-10-15 | Address Restricted | |
| 2 | Bellevue Bellevue (Accokeek, Maryland) Bellevue is a historic plantation home located at 200 Manning Road East, in Accokeek, Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. This Greek Revival style home was constructed in about 1840. It exemplifies a house style typical of successful small plantation of that period... |
1986-08-21 | 200 Manning Rd. E | |
| 3 | Piscataway Park Piscataway Park Piscataway Park, located southwest of downtown Washington, D.C., near Accokeek, Maryland, protects Marshall Hall and the National Colonial Farm. The park is located across the Potomac River from George Washington's Mount Vernon estate.... |
 |
1966-10-15 | E of Potomac River, south of Piscataway Creek, in Prince George's and Charles Counties |
Street Racing
The long, straight, open stretches of the Indian Head Highway made it the site of informal street races. In the early morning hours of February 16, 2008, eight spectators of a drag raceStreet racing
Street racing is a form of unsanctioned and illegal motor racing which takes place on public roads. Street racing can either be spontaneous or well-planned and coordinated. Well coordinated races are planned in advance and often have people communicating via 2-way radio/citizens' band radio and...
died, and at least four were injured, when a vehicle that was involved in a second, separate race ran through a crowd standing in the middle of Indian Head Highway (MD-210)
Maryland Route 210
Maryland Route 210 , or Indian Head Highway, is a state highway in Prince George's and Charles counties in Maryland. At its northern end, MD 210 starts from the end of South Capitol Street in Washington, D.C., connecting the U.S. Capitol with Indian Head, Maryland...
in Accokeek.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 7,349 people, 2,423 households, and 1,952 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 327.9 people per square mile (126.6/km²). There were 2,562 housing units at an average density of 114.3/sq mi (44.1/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 43.16% White, 47.60% African American, 0.52% Native American, 5.20% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.97% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.34% of the population.
There were 2,423 households out of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.4% were non-families. 14.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.03 and the average family size was 3.33.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $79,419, and the median income for a family was $82,314. Males had a median income of $48,545 versus $39,016 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $29,519. About 2.3% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 4.0% of those age 65 or over.
External links
- Community website
- Greater Accokeek Civic Association (Archived 2009-10-24)
- The Accokeek Foundation - The National Colonial Farm, programs, calendar
- The Alice Ferguson Foundation
- The Moyaone Association