Great Mills, Maryland facts for kids

Great Mills is a community in St. Mary's County, Maryland. It's not an official town with its own government. Great Mills High School serves students from this area and nearby Lexington Park.

This area is one of the oldest places where people started farming in Maryland. It also has strong ties to the first Maryland colony in St. Mary's City. Today, Great Mills is a growing area. It's close to Lexington Park and the Patuxent River Naval Air Station.

History of Great Mills

Early Settlements

Great Mills was settled very early in Maryland's history. After the first Maryland colony began in St. Mary's City, farmers started new farms here. This happened in the mid to late 1600s. It made Great Mills one of the first farming areas in English-speaking North America.

Civil War Heroes

Great Mills is proud to be the home of two Medal of Honor winners. The Medal of Honor is the highest award for bravery a soldier can receive. William H. Barnes and James H. Harris grew up in Great Mills. They were free African-American farmers. Both men served as soldiers in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Their bravery is remembered at the United States Colored Troops Memorial Statue. This memorial is just north of Great Mills in Lexington Park, Maryland. It has a special display about them. The memorial also honors more than 700 African-American soldiers and sailors from St. Mary's County, Maryland who fought in the Civil War. Special events are held there every year.

Life in Great Mills Today

Community Life

Like many places in Maryland, Great Mills does not have its own local government. The county government handles services for the area. This is why it's called an "unincorporated community."

Great Mills is growing quickly. Many people who live here work in Lexington Park or at the nearby military base. Some also go to St. Mary's College of Maryland or commute to Leonardtown, Maryland. While the area is developing, some people still work in farming, fishing, and crabbing. However, these traditional jobs are facing challenges.

Local Features

The community has a public swimming pool for everyone to enjoy. Great Mills Road connects the area to Lexington Park. Along this road, you can find small shopping centers. There are also many housing developments. Great Mills also has a large park. This park includes office spaces, a playground for kids, and areas for sports.