Aquasco, Maryland


Aquasco is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in southeastern Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, surrounding the town of Eagle Harbor and bordering Charles County. As of the 2010 census, the CDP had a population of 981. Aquasco was home to the Aquasco Speedway.

Geography

Aquasco occupies the southeastern corner of Prince George's County and is centered on the intersection of Maryland Route 381, Aquasco Road, and Maryland Route 233, Dr. Bowen Road. The Patuxent River forms the eastern boundary of the community. As of the 2010 census, the CDP had a total area of, of which was land and, or 10.55%, was water, consisting primarily of the Patuxent River.
The Aquasco CDP contains the Chalk Point Generating Station and surrounds the tiny incorporated town of Eagle Harbor.

History

Aquasco is named for a nearby tract first surveyed and patented in 1650. The name is derived from the Native American name Aquascake. Located between Swanson's Creek and the Patuxent River, the community developed as an agricultural center for the production of tobacco. The main roads connecting the widely scattered tobacco plantations were established in the 18th century and, in the early 19th century, the village of Woodville began to form. It was named after the Wood family, early settlers of Aquasco. By mid-century, the village had a grist mill, several small stores, a tavern, blacksmith, school, post office, and Methodist and Episcopal churches.
Because of the number of plantations, the slave population was relatively high in this section of Prince George's County. The Freedmen's Bureau established a school at Woodville in 1867. The school later became home to John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church. African Americans also worshiped at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, established in 1848 as a mission church of St. Paul's Parish Church, which later became St. Phillip's Episcopal Church.

Historic sites

The following is a list of historic sites in Aquasco identified by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission:
Site NameImageLocationM-NCPPC Inventory NumberComment
1Adams-Bowen House16002 Dr. Bowen Rd.87B-036-19
2P.A. Bowen Farmstead15701 Dr. Bowen Rd.87B-036-20
3William R. Barker House22600 Aquasco Rd.87B-036-14
4Green Hill19404 Aquasco Rd.87A-011
5Grimes House22609 Aquasco Rd.87B-036-16
6John Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church Site and Cemetery22919 Christ Church Road87B-33Historic church demolished.
7St. Mary's Episcopal Church22200 Saint Mary's Church Rd.87B-036-37
8St. Mary's Rectory16305 Saint Mary's Church Rd.87B-036-08Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, September 10, 1987
9St. Phillip's Episcopal Church Site and Cemetery16100 St. Phillip's Church Road87B-36-12Historic church destroyed by fire in 1976.
10Sunnyside16005 Dr. Bowen Rd.87B-036-21Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, May 29, 1987
11H.B.B. Trueman House20218 Aquasco Rd.87A-022
12J.E. Turner House16410 St. Mary’s Church Road87B-036-05
13Villa DeSales22410 Aquasco Rd.87B-036-13Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, July 14, 1988
14Wilson-Rawlings Farmstead17109 Milltown Landing Road87A-019
15Wood House22606 Aquasco Rd.87B-036-15
16Woodville School21500 Aquasco Road87B-34

Government

District 5 Station in Clinton CDP serves the community.
The U.S. Postal Service operates the Aquasco Post Office.

Education

Aquasco residents are assigned to schools in Prince George's County Public Schools.
Residential areas of the CDP area are zoned to Baden Elementary School, Gwynn Park Middle School, and Gwynn Park High School.