Atholton, Maryland facts for kids

Atholton is a small community located in Howard County, Maryland, in the United States. It's known as an "unincorporated community," which means it's a place with a shared identity but without its own local government, like a city or town. Instead, it's governed by the county.

For many years, Atholton had its own postal office. This office helped people send and receive mail from May 1897 to November 1900, and then again from 1903 to July 1917.

The Story of Atholton

Atholton began at an important meeting point where three roads crossed: Old Columbia Pike, Guilford Road, and Clarksville Pike. This made it a central spot for people to gather and live.

How Atholton Got Its Name

The name "Atholton" comes from a large piece of land called "Athole." This land, about 600 acres (or 2.4 square kilometers), was given by King Charles to a person named James Macgill on August 17, 1732. James Macgill later built a large house, or manor, nearby between 1732 and 1740, which he also called "Athol." The community grew around this historic name.

A Place of Freedom

In 1845, a man named Nicolas Worthington made an important decision. He freed seventeen people who had been enslaved and gave them 150 acres (about 0.6 square kilometers) of land. This land was part of the larger "Athol enlarged" area. The community that formed on this land was called "Freetown," marking a new beginning for these families.

Community and Faith

As the community grew, people wanted a place to worship. In 1869, the Atholton Colored Church was started. A few years later, between 1871 and 1876, the church changed its name to Locust Chapel, which is now known as Locust United Methodist Church. This church became a central part of the community's life.

Growing and Changing

Atholton was located about a mile north of another community called Simpsonville. It didn't have clear borders, so it blended into the surrounding areas. By the 1930s, mail services for Atholton residents were handled through the post office in Simpsonville.

Modern Development

In 1962, two people named Edward G. Pickett and Walter Shank built the Atholton Village Shopping Center. This was one of the first commercial areas in Atholton. A few years later, in 1965, a large company called Columbia Research & Development (also known as Rouse) took over the shopping center. This showed how Atholton was starting to develop and become a more modern place with new businesses.