Bladensburg Walking Tour
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Description
This short tour begins at the Bostick House and includes several other historic homes from the 18th century as well as the Battle of Bladensburg Visitor's Center.
1. George Washington House (The Indian Queen Tavern)
The structure, which was constructed in 1752 by Jacob Wirt, was first rented to a tobacco trading firm and later served as a tavern. Legend has it that George Washington stopped here numerous times, and possibly stayed the night; however, there is much disagreement about that fact. Nonetheless, Washington referenced the location as part of his journeys that took him to many taverns and public houses as a source of lodging in the era before hotels and motels. The house also served as the location for a hot air balloon pioneer, British soldier during the War of 1812, a progressive leader and has a tie to a U.S. Attorney General.
2. The Peace Cross (Bladensburg World War I Memorial)
The Bladensburg World War I Memorial, better known as The Peace Cross, arose in the aftermath of World War I to pay homage to fallen heroes from the local area. Designed by local artist, John Earley, its attachment to The Great War only describes a portion of its significance; it also speaks to evolving attitudes regarding church and state as many have recently challenged the legality of Christian symbolism on public lands.
3. Battle of Bladensburg
In the early 19th century, the United States and Britain clashed in North America during the War of 1812. Hoping to strike a decisive blow, in 1814 the British landed a 4,000 man force along the Patuxent River in Maryland with the goal of capturing the U.S. capital at Washington, D.C. Opposing the British were approximately 7,000 Americans, mostly untested militiamen. The two armies collided at Bladensburg, Maryland on August 24, 1814. Although the Americans inflicted heavy casualties during the initial British advance, they were quickly routed; the debacle became known as the "Bladensburg Races." As a consequence of U.S. defeat, British forces marched on Washington, D.C. and burned much of the nation's capital. The defeat at Bladensburg and sacking of Washington constituted an embarrassing and dark episode for the United States during the War of 1812.
4. William Hilleary House (Hilleary-Magruder House)
The Hilleary-Magruder house stands as the oldest remaining colonial-era structure in Bladensburg, having served as the home to merchants, the military, and numerous doctors from 1742 through the late nineteenth century. One of the residents hosted George Washington for dinner. In later years, during the Civil War, it served as the home to Dr. Archibald Magruder, who was arrested for treating wounded Confederate soldiers in the home.
5. Market Master's House
English colonist and merchant Christopher Lowndes constructed the original stone structure that is now known as Market Master's House in 1765. The building is one of the four remaining structures remaining from the original colonial town of Bladensburg, a community that quickly grew to become one of the region's most prolific ports for tobacco exportation. Although many believe that the building was constructed as a market house storing and selling tobacco, a 2009 archaeological survey revealed that it was more likely used as a business office and stagecoach stop.
6. Bostwick House
Bostwick is a historic eighteenth-century site located in Bladensburg, Maryland, that consists of an elegant Georgian-style main house, multiple outbuildings, and landscaped grounds. Christopher Lowndes, a locally prominent, English-born merchant constructed Bostwick in 1746, and the house reflects the wealth and aesthetic tastes of Maryland’s colonial elite. In spring 2018 HistoriCorps will be heading to the site to restore the wood porch elements on the facade of the manor house.
