Location and Demographics
When people think of Upper Marlboro, they are usually thinking about the two ZIP codes that the United States Post Office has labeled "Upper Marlboro" (20772 and 20774), as well as three post office boxes (20773, 20775 and 20792). The georgraphical area covered by the ZIP codes covers about one-fifth of Prince George's County (see a map of "Upper Marlboro" ZIP codes highlighted in green).
People are often shocked to learn that the incorporated Town of Upper Marlboro is only 0.4 square miles! That's right, the actual Town is less than one mile across and half a mile wide. 4.65% (0.04 square miles) of that is water. Once a port town, Upper Marlboro is on the West Branch of the Patuxent River (see a watershed map). We are approximately 23-39 feet above sea level (have a look at the USGS topographical map). We are located at latitude 38°48′59′N, longitude 76°45′12′W in Prince George's County, MD and the Washington-Arlington metro area.
Upper Marlboro has a downtown area along Main Street, where the Courthouse and County Administration Building are located. The main residential area is the to the west of the downtown on several streets (see a list of streets and house numbers). The Town has about 313 dwelling units, mostly single-family homes with 648 official residents in 2000. That's down from 745 residents that were counted in 1990. However, the Town seems to be on the rise again, and the 2005 population estimate is 683 folks. To see more fascinating statistics, visit the Census Bureau's Upper Marlboro page.
History of Upper Marlboro
Upper Marlboro is among the oldest of the surviving southern Maryland towns with histories dating back to colonial times. The area was settled around 1695 and named after the first Duke of Marlborough (an ancestor of Winston Churchill). It was established as a port town for tobacco ships in 1706, when the western branch of the Patuxent River was still navigable there. It has been the county seat of Prince George’s County since 1721.
The town is the birthplace of John Carroll, the first Catholic Archbishop in America and founder of Georgetown University, and of his brother Daniel, a signer of the U.S. Constitution. Throughout its history, Upper Marlboro has been the home or place of work of prominent national, state, and local figures. In recent times, it was the home of the late Lansdale G. Sasscer, Sr., Maryland State Senator, 1922–1938, and U.S. Congressman, 1939–1953.
Changing economics have changed the face of the town over the years. Its stature as the main shopping center for a large rural area has been diminished by malls and commercial developments that are closer to its former shoppers. The fields of tobacco that once dominated the countryside have given way to residential and commercial developments; only a few farms remain in the increasingly urban landscape.
Upper Marlboro now hosts the administrative bustle of a county seat by day and relaxes into a quiet country town by night. Though many of its historic structures have been lost through demolition, the remaining old homes and streets reflect the grace and beauty for which the town was known in its earlier days. Retention of that old-town country atmosphere is a continuing resolve of the townspeople and the town commission as they strive to meet the challenges presented by governmental, residential, and commercial development.
— Courtesy of Maryland's 157
by the Maryland Municipal League
To learn more, read this excerpt from Proud Past, Promising Future (PDF, 1.5 MB).
Historical Sites in Town
Upper Marlboro has a rich history going back more than 300 years. Unfortunately, most of the early structures are lost to us now. But many historical sites do exist. View this map from Park and Planning (M-NCPPC). Click on individual houses to learn more about the site.
Historical Links
