Maryland, London facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maryland |
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 Maryland in 2008 |
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 Maryland
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| OS grid reference | TQ3826385158 |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | LONDON |
| Postcode district | E15 |
| Dialling code | 020 |
| Police | Metropolitan |
| Fire | London |
| Ambulance | London |
| EU Parliament | London |
| UK Parliament |
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| London Assembly | |
Maryland is a lively neighbourhood located in Stratford, a part of London, United Kingdom. It's found within the London Borough of Newham. This area is well-known for its train station. Maryland sits next to Leytonstone to the north and Forest Gate to the east. To the west is Stratford New Town, and the main Stratford town centre is to the south-west.
Contents
History of Maryland
Maryland first appeared on a map of Essex in 1696. On this map, it was called 'Maryland Point'. The exact reason for its name is still a bit of a mystery.
The American Connection Theory
One popular idea is that a rich local merchant named the area. This merchant supposedly returned from the American colony of Maryland and bought land here. If this is true, it would be unusual for a place in Britain to be named after an American location.
Some people thought Richard Lee I might be this merchant. He lived from 1617 to 1664. Richard Lee moved to Virginia in America around 1640. He became a successful tobacco farmer and trader. When he came back to England in 1658, he bought land in Stratford. By 1662, he owned a large house there. However, some historians doubt this story. They say there isn't much proof, and Lee was more connected to Virginia than Maryland.
The Old English Name Theory
Professor Ged Martin has another idea for the name's origin. He thinks 'Maryland' comes from old English words. These words are maere and mearc. They mean "boundary." This would make sense, as Maryland might have been a boundary area long ago.
Growth and Development
In the mid-1800s, Stratford began to grow a lot. The Maryland area also developed, becoming part of Stratford New Town. It soon had busy shops and streets. Maryland station opened in 1874, making it easier for people to travel.
By 2021, Maryland had grown enough to become its own official area. It was recognized as an electoral ward within Newham. This meant that in 2022, people in Maryland could elect their own local representatives for the first time.
Notable People from Maryland
Many interesting people have connections to Maryland:
- The famous rock band Iron Maiden is said to have started at the Cart & Horses pub, located at 1 Maryland Point.
- Charles Edmund Clutterbuck (1806–1861) was a talented artist. He was known for creating beautiful stained glass windows.
- Charles Hitchcock, the grandfather of famous film director Alfred Hitchcock, had a fish shop at 20 Leytonstone Road.
- Dorothy Kilner (1755–1836) was a writer who created books for children.
- Anna Kingsford (1846–1888) was born at Maryland Point. She was a strong supporter of women's rights and spoke out against animal testing.
Getting Around Maryland
Maryland has good transport links, making it easy to travel around London and beyond.
Train Services
- Maryland Station is served by the Elizabeth line. Trains arrive every 5 minutes in both directions.
- If you travel west, trains go towards central London. They stop at places like Reading and Heathrow Airport.
- If you travel east, trains go towards Shenfield.
Bus Routes
Maryland is also served by several bus routes:
- Route 69 (runs 24 hours a day)
- Route 257
- Route 308
- Night bus N8
Education in Maryland
There are several primary schools in the local area for younger students. These include:
- Maryland Primary School
- St. Francis' Catholic Primary School
- Colegrave Primary School
