Lexington Park, Maryland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lexington Park, Maryland
CDP
Location of Lexington Park, Maryland
Country	United States
State	Maryland
County	St. Mary's
Area
• Total	6.07 sq mi (15.73 km2)
• Land	6.06 sq mi (15.71 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation	115 ft (35 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	13,318
• Density	2,196.08/sq mi (847.86/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code	20653
Area code(s)	301/240
FIPS code	24-46725
GNIS feature ID	0594792

Lexington Park is a community in St. Mary's County, Maryland, in the United States. It is a "census-designated place" (CDP), which means it's a special area defined for gathering population data. Lexington Park is the main town in its local area. In 2020, about 13,318 people lived here.

History of Lexington Park

Early Native American Life

Long ago, as far back as 3500 B.C., Native American people lived in the area that is now Lexington Park. When the first European colonists arrived, tribes like the Yaocomico and Mattawoman, part of the Piscataway Indian Nation, lived here. Even today, the Piscataway Nation continues to exist with communities and cultural centers in other parts of the county.

Colonial Times and Farming

As the first settlement in St. Mary's City grew, farmers, often called "planters," moved into this area. They mostly grew tobacco. At first, they used workers who were either free or had agreed to work for a certain time to pay off a debt (called indentured servants). Later, in the late 1600s, the use of enslaved people became common in Maryland. This changed farming and made it harder for small, free farmers to compete.

Life Before the Naval Base

Before the Patuxent Naval Air Station was built, Lexington Park was a place of tobacco farms. People also made a living by crabbing, fishing, and harvesting oysters along the waterfront. Many families had lived in these communities for over 300 years.

During World War Two, the government took land from many residents to build the new military base. This was done through something called "eminent domain." Even though the base brought new jobs, many older residents still remember losing their homes and land.

World War Two and the Naval Base

Lexington Park officially began in 1943 when the Patuxent Naval Air Station was created during World War II. The town was named after the USS Lexington aircraft carrier, which had recently sunk. Before this, the area was known as "Jarboesville."

Many famous astronauts, like John Glenn and Alan Shepard, trained at the naval base. In 1977, the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge was built. This bridge connected Lexington Park to Calvert County and Solomons, Maryland across the Patuxent River.

In recent years, many aerospace and high-tech companies have moved to the area, creating more jobs. There are also many shopping centers along Maryland Route 235, known as "Three Notch Road," and Great Mills Road.

Economy and Jobs

Growing Community

Lexington Park is part of one of the fastest-growing "micropolitan" areas in the United States. A micropolitan area is a city with a population between 10,000 and 50,000 people. The population has grown a lot since 2000, mainly because of the military base.

St. Mary's County's population went over 100,000 people in 2010. Many people who live in St. Mary's County also work there, which is different from some nearby areas where people commute to bigger cities.

Naval Air Station Patuxent River

The Naval Air Station Patuxent River, located in Lexington Park, is a huge part of the local economy. It employs about 20,000 people. This base drives about 75 percent of all economic activity in St. Mary's County. It also adds about $3 billion to Maryland's economy.

Home Prices in the Area

In 2014, the average price for a home in St. Mary's County was around $252,100. The area has a charming countryside feel with lots of farmland and a rich history. Plus, there are many high-tech job opportunities.

Schools in Lexington Park

Local Schools for Kids

The public schools in Lexington Park are part of the St. Mary's County Public Schools system.

• Elementary Schools: Town Creek Elementary, Greenview Knolls Elementary, Lexington Park Elementary, and George Washington Carver Elementary.
• Middle Schools: Esperanza Middle and Spring Ridge Middle.
• High Schools: Great Mills High, Chesapeake Public Charter, and Fairlead Academy are also nearby in Great Mills.

Colleges and Higher Learning

There are several options for higher education near Lexington Park:

• St. Mary's College of Maryland: This college is about seven miles south of Lexington Park. It is one of only two public honors colleges in the entire country. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it as one of the top public colleges and a great school for veterans.
• College of Southern Maryland: This is a community college that offers classes in and around the area.
• Merchant Marine Academy: The Paul Hall Center for Maritime Studies, which is a merchant marine academy, is about 20 minutes away.

Important Historic Places

Ancient Archeological Sites

The Mattapany-Sewall Archeological Site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. Scientists also do archeological research on parts of the naval base and its nearby waters. They look for clues about the Civil War, the War of 1812, and colonial times.

United States Colored Troops Memorial

The United States Colored Troops Memorial Statue is in Lexington Park. This important memorial honors more than 700 African-American soldiers and sailors from St. Mary's County. These brave individuals served in the Union forces during the Civil War.

The memorial also has educational displays and hosts special celebrations each year. Its goal is to welcome everyone, honor those who served, and share their stories. You can find the memorial at John G. Lancaster Park, located at 21550 Willows Road.

St. Richard's Manor

St. Richard's Manor is another historic site in the area. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Historic St. Mary's City

About seven miles south of Lexington Park is Historic St. Mary's City. This is where the Maryland colony was founded. It is also known as the birthplace of religious freedom in America. Today, it is a rebuilt colonial town and a museum.

You can experience "living history" there, seeing what life was like long ago. The site also features the Maryland Dove, which is a full-sized working copy of the ship that brought the first colonists to Maryland. This complex shows what colonial life was like in the area, as both places were once part of the same early settlement.

Geography and Climate

Lexington Park is located at 38°15′32″N 76°27′2″W / 38.25889°N 76.45056°W / 38.25889; -76.45056.

The area covers about 8.1 square miles (21 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water.

Weather in Lexington Park

Lexington Park has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has hot, humid summers and mild winters.

People of Lexington Park

In 2000, there were 11,021 people living in Lexington Park. These people lived in 3,923 households, with 2,459 of them being families. The population density was about 1,379 people per square mile.

About 41.8% of households had children under 18 living with them. Many households were married couples living together. The average household had about 2.65 people.

The population included people of different ages. About 31.5% were under 18 years old. The median age was 27 years, meaning half the people were younger than 27 and half were older.

The average income for a household in 2000 was about $39,214. About 11.9% of the population lived below the poverty line.

See also

In Spanish: Lexington Park (Maryland) para niños