Edmonston, Maryland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edmonston, Maryland
Town
Flag Seal
Location of Edmonston, Maryland
Country	United States of America
State	Maryland
County	Prince George's
Incorporated	1924
Area
• Total	0.42 sq mi (1.09 km2)
• Land	0.41 sq mi (1.06 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation	20 ft (6 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,617
• Density	3,963.24/sq mi (1,528.66/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	20781
Area code(s)	301, 240
FIPS code	24-25425
GNIS feature ID	0597374

Edmonston is a small town in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. It is located very close to Washington, D.C.. In 2020, about 1,617 people lived there.

History of Edmonston

Early Beginnings and Names

The name Edmonston likely comes from Captain James Edmonston. He was a wealthy man from Bladensburg, Maryland. In 1742, he bought the land where Edmonston is today. His family was important during the American Revolutionary War.

First Settlers and Mt. Rose

The first modern settlers were Adam Francis Plummer and his wife Emily Saunders Arnold Plummer. They had been enslaved by a powerful family. After the American Civil War, Adam Plummer bought 10 acres of land. He spent $1000 to buy it.

He worked hard to find and bring back family members who had been sold away. This is how the settlement began. Adam Plummer was a skilled gardener. He named his new home Mt. Rose because he loved roses. He also kept a diary while he was enslaved. This diary is very rare and is now shown at the Smithsonian Institution's Anacostia Community Museum.

How the Town Grew

In 1903, two areas were planned: East Hyattsville and Palestine. J. Harris Rogers developed East Hyattsville. He turned 70 acres into more than 170 building lots. The western part started with Dr. Charles A. Wells. He bought Palestine Farm in 1878. He divided 25 acres into 62 building lots.

Within ten years, 55 houses were built in these areas. Many of these early homes are still standing today. They were simple houses that fit on the narrow lots.

Important Services and Schools

In the late 1800s, a pumping station was built in Palestine. It provided water to the city of Hyattsville. Later, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission took over.

The first school for the future town of Edmonston was also in Palestine. It was built in 1915. This building has been changed and added to over the years.

Becoming an Official Town

After World War I, people in East Hyattsville and Palestine wanted better services. They decided to become an official town. They chose the name "Edmonston" in 1924. This name came from a main road nearby and the original landowner. It also gave them their own identity, separate from Hyattsville.

By 1924, hundreds of people lived there. There was a small center with stores and a post office. Today, only a small grocery store remains. The new town quickly worked on paving streets, adding lights, and building a bridge. They also worked to bring water and sewer pipes to the town.

A Unique Mayor

In 1927, Edmonston had a very special mayor named Kinjiro Matsudaira. He was the grandson of a Japanese feudal lord. His election made news because it was rare for a Japanese person to be a mayor in the U.S. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1885. Kinjiro Matsudaira was elected mayor again in 1943, during World War II.

Later Growth and Flood Solutions

After World War II, more homes were built. The Edmonston Terrace area was developed with 41 similar brick houses. In the 1960s, the Fountain Park apartment complex was also built.

From 2003 to 2006, Edmonston faced problems with flooding. The town worked hard to get a new, advanced pumping station. This new facility cost $6 million. It uses three huge Archimedes' screws. This is a special technology that helps move large amounts of water.

Complete Green Street Project

In 2009, Edmonston started a special project called the "Green Street." This project was finished in 2010. It gained national attention for its new ideas. The street uses LED streetlights and green energy. It also has special features to slow traffic.

These features include raingardens and permeable pavement for bike lanes. These designs help capture almost all the stormwater runoff. This project has won many awards. It has also inspired other towns to create similar "complete green streets."

Where is Edmonston?

Nearby Cities and Towns

Edmonston is surrounded by other communities:

• Bladensburg (to the southeast)
• Riverdale Park (to the north)
• Hyattsville (to the northwest)

Geography and Size

Edmonston is located at coordinates 38.950793°N, -76.933423°W. The town is quite small. It has a total area of about 0.40 square miles (1.09 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.

Population Information

2010 Census Details

In 2010, Edmonston had 1,445 people living there. The town had 445 households. About 44.5% of these households had children under 18. The average age in the town was 31 years old. About 28.1% of the residents were under 18 years old.

Transportation in Edmonston

MD 201 southbound in Edmonston

The main state highway in Edmonston is Maryland Route 201, also known as Kenilworth Avenue. This road goes south to Washington, D.C.. It goes north to Interstate 95 and Interstate 495, which is a big highway loop around Washington, D.C.

Education in Edmonston

Students in Edmonston attend schools in the Prince George's County Public Schools system.

Elementary Schools

• Riverdale Elementary
• Rogers Heights Elementary School

Middle Schools

• William Wirt Middle School
• Hyattsville Middle School

High School

• Bladensburg High School is the only high school for students in Edmonston.

See also

In Spanish: Edmonston para niños