Old Town College Park isn’t just a neighborhood; it’s a living tapestry where College Park’s past and present intertwine. For generations, this charming community has welcomed students, professors, families, and visionaries, making it a true crossroads of heritage and progress. Let’s stroll down its leafy streets, uncover stories whispered by century-old homes, and see how Old Town continues to shape—and be shaped by—College Park’s spirit.
Origins: Roots Along the Railroads
Old Town’s story begins in the late 19th century, shortly after the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad extended its line through Prince George’s County. Where the tracks crossed what was then rural farmland, opportunity bloomed. In 1889, land developers founded College Park—named for its proximity to the Maryland Agricultural College (today’s University of Maryland)—and Old Town came to life as the fledgling city’s original residential core.
Many of Old Town’s early settlers were academics, railroad workers, and Washingtonian commuters drawn by new train and trolley connections. Their elegant Victorian homes still line Princeton Avenue, Knox Road, and College Avenue, evoking an era of tranquil porches and picket fences.
What’s In a Name? The Origins of Old Town
The “Old Town” name is as much a badge of honor as it is a geographic marker. It distinguishes the neighborhood as College Park’s historic center, harkening back to when its streets first took shape around the turn of the 20th century. Bound by Calvert Road, Columbia Avenue, Baltimore Avenue (US Route 1), and the University’s campus itself, Old Town’s grid predates the later subdivisions that expanded College Park northward.
The moniker honors its legacy: older homes, tree-lined lanes, and proximity to the university’s original entrance—it’s the College Park that welcomed the first parades, community meetings, and college students more than a century ago.
Key Historical Milestones
Old Town witnessed—and shaped—many formative moments for College Park:
- 1910s-1920s: The trolley line along Baltimore Avenue made Old Town a commuter suburb. The College Park Post Office (built 1935), at 7101 Baltimore Ave, became a local hub.
- 1930s-1940s: World War II brought growth, with faculty and military families arriving to support war research at the university and the fledgling College Park Airport, just east of Old Town.
- 1950s-1960s: Suburban development spread northward, but Old Town remained a nucleus of community life, supporting local businesses and social clubs.
- 1970s-Present: Preservation efforts protected many heritage homes. Today, the neighborhood draws families, students, and professionals who treasure its walkability and character.
Landmarks and Architectural Gems
Old Town’s historic streets are peppered with treasures—some well-known, others beloved local secrets:
- Old Parish House (4711 Knox Road): Built in 1817 as a private home, it later served as a chapel for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Today it’s a city landmark where weddings, meetings, and art shows animate the sturdy brick rooms.
- Calvert Hills Playground and Calvert Park: Though technically on Old Town’s border, these green havens on Calvert Road blend seamlessly into neighborhood life—picnic tables, towering oaks, and busy soccer fields that embody Old Town’s family-friendly vibe.
- College Park Airport: Just a stone’s throw east on Campus Drive, this is the world’s oldest continuously operating airport, licensed by the Wright brothers in 1909. For decades, Old Town residents have watched biplanes circle overhead—a unique touchstone of innovation and nostalgia.
- Historic Residences: Italianate, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival homes on streets like Dartmouth and Yale Avenue reflect shifting architectural tastes, each with stories of professors and families who called Old Town home.
Evolution Through the Decades
Old Town’s history echoes through every generation, yet each decade brought new energy and change:
- The Early Years: Horse-drawn carriages and later trolleys made Old Town a commuter’s delight. Neighborhood socials and homegrown parades threaded together residents of all backgrounds.
- The Mid-Century Boom: GIs returned from WWII, and the postwar baby boom brought new families. The university’s growth fueled a housing surge, with more rental properties for faculty and students.
- Preservation & Change: As College Park modernized, Old Town watched as new student housing and commercial development edged closer. Grassroots preservationists helped Old Town retain its historic charm, pushing for tree protections and careful restoration of original homes.
- Today’s Neighborhood: A blend of long-term residents, lively student rentals, and young families bring fresh life. The streets bustle on Terrapin game days and quiet down in summer, but Old Town’s core identity remains: a welcoming crossroads rich in stories.
Signature Streets and Sidewalks
Strolling Old Town today is like walking through a College Park history book:
- Princeton Avenue & Dartmouth Avenue: Showcases a dazzling mix of American Foursquare homes, Victorians, and charming bungalows.
- Knox Road: Home to the Old Parish House and entry points to the University. Lined with stately shade trees and lively student foot traffic in spring and fall.
- College Avenue: One of the oldest corridors, with a direct line to the university gate—filled with memories of homecoming parades and student celebrations.
Community Spirit: What Makes Old Town Special
What binds Old Town together isn’t merely bricks and mortar, but community spirit. Neighbors chat on stoops, host summer cookouts, and organize green space cleanups for Calvert Park. The Old Parish House, with its monthly forums and folk concerts, links past to present. And the annual College Park Day brings tables and music to the neighborhood, rekindling that small-town togetherness.
Looking Ahead: Old Town’s Enduring Legacy
Old Town faces pressures familiar to historic neighborhoods everywhere—new development, rising costs, and the balancing act between student rentals and residential quietude. Yet its unique blend of tradition and renewal, proximity to the university, and steadfast pride anchor it. Old Town stands not just as a memory of “old” College Park, but as proof that community, heritage, and warm welcomes never go out of style.
Whether you’re walking to brunch on Baltimore Avenue or pausing beneath the dogwoods on Knox Road, Old Town’s legacy greets you at every turn—a place where history is lived, loved, and always in season.