Fort Washington, Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort Washington, Maryland
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Fort Washington Park's main gate in October 2004
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Location of Fort Washington in Maryland
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Maryland |
| County |  Prince George's |
| Area | |
| • Total | 16.57 sq mi (42.92 km2) |
| • Land | 13.79 sq mi (35.73 km2) |
| • Water | 2.78 sq mi (7.19 km2) |
| Elevation | 105 ft (32 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 24,261 |
| • Density | 1,758.81/sq mi (679.08/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
20744, 20749
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| Area code(s) | 301, 240 |
| FIPS code | 24-29525 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0598313 |
Fort Washington is a community in Prince George's County, Maryland, in the United States. It is located right next to the Potomac River. This area is about 20 miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.. In 2020, about 24,261 people lived there. The Fort Washington community is mostly found west of Maryland Route 210.
Contents
History of Fort Washington
Building the Fort
The community of Fort Washington is named after the historic Fort Washington. The first fort was finished in 1809. It was the only fort protecting Washington, D.C. until the American Civil War. This early fort was a small dirt structure near the Potomac River.
However, this first fort could not stop a British fleet during the War of 1812. This failure led to the building of the larger, stone fort we see today. In 1844, a cannon exploded on the USS Princeton as it sailed past Fort Washington. During World War II, the U.S. Army used the fort as a school for its officers and soldiers.
Today, the site is a park. You can enjoy views of the Potomac River and walk on its hiking paths.
Fort Washington in the War of 1812
During the War of 1812, Fort Washington was built to protect the capital city from enemy ships on the Potomac River. However, the British, led by Admiral Gordon, captured the fort. This happened just three days after they had burned parts of Washington, D.C..
Fort Washington in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began, people worried about Washington, D.C. Isaac Toucey, who was the Secretary of the Navy, sent U.S. Marines to guard the fort.
In May 1865, after the fighting stopped, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles ordered that fewer ships and soldiers were needed. This included taking the Marines away from Fort Washington.
Fort Washington in Modern Times
Near the fort, you can find many homes along the river. There are also two places for boats (marinas) and two community swimming pools. The National Golf Club is also in the area.
Fort Washington was mostly rural (countryside) until about 1960. Then, more and more people started moving there from the city. For many years, people in Fort Washington used a Washington, D.C. mailing address. In 1980, the postal service made Fort Washington its own separate town name for mail.
Geography of Fort Washington
Fort Washington covers about 16.57 square miles (42.92 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, but about 2.78 square miles (7.19 square kilometers) is water.
If you visit, you might notice several "Livingston Roads" that cross Route 210. There are also two different "Old Fort Roads." This can sometimes make it tricky to find your way!
Community Life and Institutions
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) runs the Harmony Hall Regional Center. This center has the John Addison Concert Hall. Here, you can enjoy community theater, art shows, and many concerts. They also offer different classes for people of all ages. A community center opened in Fort Washington Forest in 2013.
The Ebenezer A.M.E. Church is a large church in the area. Fort Washington also has a small hospital called Fort Washington Hospital.
Population and Demographics
The population of Fort Washington has changed over the years:
- 1990: 24,032 people
- 2000: 23,845 people
- 2010: 23,717 people
- 2020: 24,261 people
According to the 2020 census, the total population was 24,261. The census also shows the different racial and ethnic groups living in Fort Washington. In 2020, about 63.20% of the population was Black or African American. About 8.94% were White, and 9.18% were Asian. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 14.32% of the population.
Transportation
Potomac Airfield is a small airport nearby. Several Metrobus routes serve the Fort Washington area, helping people get around.
Education
Students in Fort Washington attend schools in the Prince George's County Public Schools district.
Some of the elementary schools in the area include:
- Fort Foote Elementary School
- Fort Washington Forest Elementary School
- Indian Queen Elementary School
- Colin Powell Academy
- Rose Valley Elementary School
- Tayac Elementary School
Middle schools serving the area are:
- Oxon Hill Middle School
- Colin Powell Academy
- Accokeek Middle School
High schools for students in Fort Washington include:
- Friendly High School
- Oxon Hill High School
There are also private schools in Fort Washington:
- National Christian Academy
- The Beddow Montessori School, Fort Washington Campus
- Maryland International Day School
Notable People from Fort Washington
Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Fort Washington:
- Riddick Bowe: A two-time world heavyweight boxing champion.
- Donna Edwards: A former U.S. Representative for Maryland.
- George O. Gore II: An actor known from the show My Wife and Kids.
- Joe Haden: A professional football player who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He went to Friendly High School.
- Steny Hoyer: A leader in the United States House of Representatives.
- Jarrett Jack: A professional basketball player in the NBA.
- Jeff Kinney: The famous writer of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series.
- Martin Lawrence: A well-known Hollywood actor. He also attended Friendly High School.
- G. Gordon Liddy: A presidential aide and later a talk radio host.
- Tim Miller: A movie director and visual effects artist.
- Brian Westbrook: A former professional football player for the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles.
- Byron Westbrook: A former professional football player for the Washington Redskins.
See also
In Spanish: Fort Washington (Maryland) para niños
