The history of Bowie, Maryland goes back hundreds of years to a time when Robert Carvile registered a tract of land in the 1680's and called it Catton.  Catton later became 'Belair' in the early 18th century.  Samuel Ogle, Governor of Maryland by appointment of the King of England, bought the land and built the Belair Mansion in 1743.  Ogle enjoyed thoroughbred horses and built a large stable on the grounds of the Belair Mansion.  The stable and the Mansion are in existence today and open to visitors.

 

Tobacco farming was rich in this area and the small town, later to become the City of Bowie, was established called Huntington.  In the 1870's, the Pennsylvania Railroad built a rail line through Huntingtown.  The town grew and was renamed Bowie in honor of Maryland Governor Oden Bowie. 

 

In 1898, Willilam Woodward bought the Belair Mansion and re-established the breeding and racing of thoroughbred horses in
Bowie. The Bowie Race Course, built in 1914 was open and working for 70 years.  It is now used as a training arena.

 

 

In 1957, Levitt and Sons bought 2000 acres of the Belair Estate.  Levitt built a planned community of affordable homes throughout the 1960's and early 1970's.  There are numerous communites and within each community the streets are alphabetized to the first letter of the community.  Bowieites are often heard to say, "I live in the P's " meaning Pointer Ridge, or "I live in the S's" meaning Somerset.

 

Bowie is home to the Bowie Baysox, numerous ballfields, several community centers and community pools, an active senior center, ice arena, Allen Pond Park and so much more.  Bowie is made up of seniors, families and young professionals who commute to Baltimore, Washington, Annapolis and Northern Virginia.  There is much to do in and around the 16 square miles that make up Bowie.