These short bits of history tend to pile up as I do more research on various topics. Unless otherwise credited, all quotes are from the Laurel Leader. 1918 In March, the Leader reported that “Mayor George W. Waters, Jr., who has been confined to his home with a severe cold for a week, is again able to be out.” 1923 In December, the Laurel Boys’ Fife and Drum Corps was organized under the direction of Walter D. Lanahan. The Corps was composed of boys from every church in Laure

Mark Opsasnick’s incredibly researched book, Rock the Potomac, is chock-full of stories and biographies of the people and groups who were part of the history of rock ‘n roll and country music in the DMV. “Rock the Patuxent” provides excerpts from the book that highlight the greater Laurel area. Radio station WLMD in Laurel, where Cathy Ponton King worked as news director in the late 1970s. (Top photo: John Mewshaw. Bottom photo: Laurel History Boys Collection) Cathy Ponton Ki

(Photo: Department of Defense) “No other event … is likely to have … a greater impact on the Agency’s security program.” — NSA study (1963) In 2013, when Edward Snowden leaked thousands of documents detailing the inner workings of the National Security Agency (NSA), the reaction and outrage from the government was later summed up by former Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, who said, “We had a cyber Pearl Harbor. His name was Edward Snowden.” Snowden initially fled to Hong Kon

Did you know that greater Laurel is a hotbed of dinosaur and early mammal species? Just look down—fossils may be under your feet in your own yard. (Photo: Natural History Society of Maryland) Dinosaur Park in Laurel Just a short distance from downtown Laurel and the Patuxent Research Refuge is Dinosaur Park off Contee Road near U.S. Route 1. The Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) owns an

From North Carolina to York, Pennsylvania (Above): A portrait of Jonathan Jessop, the Quaker leader, engineer, and namesake of Jessup, Maryland; a map he drew as a young boy depicting the March 15, 1781 Battle of Guilford Courthouse, fought around his family’s North Carolina farm. Jessop’s remarkable life also included careers as a clockmaker, bridge designer, B&O Railroad superintendent, horticulturist, and a figure closely connected to the early abolitionist movement. (Cour

When Laurel Park is converted into a training center in a year or two upon completion of the renovation at Pimlico, the racetrack’s extraordinary history will come to a close. Over its 115-year existence, the track has seen numerous Triple Crown winners and for 43 years was host to the Washington, DC International, the most prestigious international race in the world. Horse racing wasn’t the only spectacular event that took place at the racetrack, as shown in the timeline bel

These short bits of history tend to pile up as I do more research on various topics. Unless otherwise credited, all quotes are from the Laurel Leader . 1816 There were four competing stagecoach lines running from Washington to Baltimore, through Laurel on the Washington Turnpike, which much later became Route 1. The six-hour trip cost $6. 1911 In November, only a month after the Laurel Race Course opened, “a well organized effort by a band of notorious race track crooks to fl

A line of people form a chain along Route 1 in Beltsville as part of Hands Across America, which took place 40 years ago this May. (Photo: Ralph Bull) A high-angle photo by Doug Kasputin on the cover of the May 29, 1986 edition of the Laurel Leader captures the line of attendees along Washington Boulevard in front of the Tastee Diner and what was at that time Herb’s Carry-Out. This May 25th marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most iconic charitable events ever held: Han

The origins of Christ Episcopal Church in Columbia, Maryland—originally known as the Elk Ridge Church—are deeply entwined with the political, religious, and geographic transformations of colonial Maryland. This article investigates the complex development of Queen Caroline Parish, the ecclesiastical landscape that preceded it, and the socio-political context that shaped its creation in 1728. The Establishment of the Anglican Church in Maryland Maryland was founded in 1634 by

Town Solves Soldier-Girl Problems This article is reprinted from the Washington Daily News , October 13, 1944 Its own young men gone to war and its streets crowded with Ft. Meade soldiers, this is how the little town of Laurel, Md., has so far successfully handled the same kind of servicemen-and-girls wartime problem that has shocked Washington with the brutal slaying of 18-year-old Dorothy Berrum. Easy on Soldiers Laurel, 19 miles out of Washington, is a wartime study from m

“Any effort to educate our fellow-man should invite favor and support. Nothing is lost to him who helps to better the condition of the unfortunate and helpless.” — The Afro-American Ledger (October 12, 1901) Praise and the promise of support from notable local and national public figures filled the full-page appeal for public financial support for the establishment of the Maryland Industrial and Agricultural Institute for Colored Youths in the Afro-American Ledger . However,

An original artwork of the preamble to the Constitution, created for the We Are America march by artist Lucy Larkin, displayed at Laurel Presbyterian Church on September 17. Marchers and supporters were invited to sign the canvas artwork. (Photo: Diane Mezzanotte) The nationwide protests that made headlines throughout 2025 might have brought back memories from the 1960s and 70s for many Laurel residents—some of whom brushed off their sign-making skills from 60 years ago and t

These short bits of history tend to pile up as I do more research on various topics. Unless otherwise credited, all quotes are from the Laurel Leader . 1907 In June, the Leader ran the photo of Laurel’s military band shown above. 1918 In March, “Rev. and Mrs. H.C. Bird recently entertained 85 soldiers from Camp Laurel. Later Mr. and Mrs. E.L. Pettit entertained 75 soldiers. At both homes, coffee, cake, and sandwiches were served. There is no scarcity of musical talent in the

The Washington Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad, which opened in 1835, was routed to pass near the Savage Factory and its nearby granite quarries. This proximity was an opportunity for Amos A. Williams, who was a director of both the B&O and the Savage Manufacturing Company, to promote his business interests. He saw the railroad as a reliable and efficient way to transport the company’s products. Amos had already fabricated thousands of rail chairs, used to sec

In May 1942 a group of young U.S. Army Rangers on a field in Fort Meade stood at rapt attention as their 5'5'-tall, 136-pound instructor ordered a trainee to charge at him with his rifle and bayonet. “Come on, boy, like you mean business!” shouted the bald instructor, who held a short length of rope between his hands. The soldier did as ordered and lunged at the instructor. But in just a few seconds, the soldier lay flat on his back, tied up with the rope. Even though the ins

Charlie Nickell Shares Photos and Memories From the Beloved Restaurant That His Family Owned for 32 Years When the popular Big T closed...

The idea of townspeople forming a posse conjures up images of cowboys in the old west on horseback going after desperadoes who robbed a...

If you’ve ever navigated a paddleboat on Laurel Lake, played at Discovery Park, or struck a yoga pose at the Armory, you’re one of...

These short bits of history tend to pile up as I do more research on various topics. Unless otherwise credited, all quotes are from the...

(Photos courtesy of Barry Walters) The following remarks were given by Barry Walters on January 10, 2025, at the Maryland State Police...