Odenton, Maryland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Odenton, Maryland
Census-designated place
A MARC Penn Line train pulls out of Odenton station while a Northeast Regional train pulled by an AEM-7 passes through
Nickname(s):  The city on the railroad
Motto(s):  The City a Railroad Built, The ever-growing city
Location of Odenton in Anne Arundel County, Maryland (left) and in Maryland (right)
Country	United States
State	Maryland
County	Anne Arundel
Founded	1868
Area
• Total	14.77 sq mi (38.24 km2)
• Land	14.77 sq mi (38.24 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	90 ft (48 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	42,947
• Density	2,908.70/sq mi (1,123.05/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	21113
Area code(s)	410, 443, 667
FIPS code	24-58300
GNIS feature ID	0590935

Odenton (pronounced OH-dən-tən) is a community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. It is located about 10 to 20 minutes from Annapolis, the state capital. Odenton is also close to bigger cities like Baltimore and Washington, D.C..

Odenton has been growing very quickly. Between 2000 and 2010, its population grew by over 80%. This makes it one of the fastest-growing places in the county. A big reason for this growth is its closeness to Fort George G. Meade. This fort is home to important government agencies like the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command. New housing areas like Piney Orchard and the Odenton Town Center have also helped the town grow.

About the Name

Odenton got its name from Oden Bowie, who used to be the Governor of Maryland. He was also the president of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad.

The town is surrounded by other communities. To the east is Gambrills, to the north is Severn, to the west is Fort Meade, and to the south is Crofton. Main roads like Maryland routes 170 and 175 cross through Odenton.

Odenton's History

Odenton from above in 1937

Odenton's story began with railroads. In 1840, the Annapolis and Elk Ridge Railroad was built through this area. During the American Civil War, this railroad was very important. Union soldiers guarded it because it was a key link between the North and Washington, D.C. Supplies and soldiers traveled through here to reach the capital.

The town of Odenton was officially formed in 1868. This happened when the Baltimore and Potomac (B&P) Railroad was built. It connected Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Where the B&P crossed the older Annapolis and Elk Ridge line, a train station and telegraph office were built. This new station was named after Oden Bowie.

Train service started at the station on July 2, 1872. The area around the train junction became Odenton's first business center. Stores opened to serve railroad workers and local farmers. A post office was set up in 1871. Soon, houses were built for railroad workers. A church opened in 1891, and a school started in 1892.

Other small villages grew near the railroad lines, but Odenton became the largest. By 1878, Odenton had about 100 people, a church, a school, and two stores. Farmers in the area grew crops like wheat, corn, and tobacco.

Later, canneries were built in Odenton and nearby villages. These factories processed foods, mainly tomatoes. The George M. Murray Canning House was a successful business in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Around 1900, an electric train line was built next to the B&P railroad. This new line, called the Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railroad, offered public transportation across central Maryland starting in 1908.

In 1914, the United States Naval Academy bought a large farm nearby. They used it as a dairy farm until 1998. Today, it is known as Maryland Sunrise Farm.

Odenton grew even more during World War I in 1917. This was when Fort Meade was established. The U.S. Department of War bought a huge amount of land west of Odenton to create a training camp. Many farmers and businesses had to move, and some settled in Odenton.

This growth continued in the 1950s. The National Security Agency (NSA) was built at Fort Meade. Also, Friendship International Airport (now Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport) opened nearby. All these changes, along with the growth of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., turned Odenton into a busy center for homes, businesses, and industries in Anne Arundel County.

Odenton still has ties to its railroad past. The Dennis F. Sullivan Maintenance Facility, run by Amtrak, is located here. It helps maintain the train tracks and bridges between Baltimore and Washington.

Geography of Odenton

Odenton is located at 39.071276 degrees North latitude and -76.699756 degrees West longitude.

The U.S. Census Bureau says that Odenton covers a total area of about 38.3 square kilometers (14.8 square miles). All of this area is land.

Sports and Recreation

Piney Orchard Ice Arena

The Piney Orchard Ice Arena is a popular spot in Odenton. From 1991 to 2006, the Washington Capitals ice hockey team used this arena for their practices.

After being updated in 2017, the Piney Orchard Ice Arena became the home ice for the Maryland Black Bears. This team plays in the North American Hockey League. You can buy tickets for their games online or at the arena. The team also sells cool merchandise like jerseys and hats.

Population Information

In 2000, about 20,534 people lived in Odenton. By 2010, this number grew to 37,132. The most recent count in 2020 showed the population was 42,947. This shows how much Odenton has grown over the years!

In 2019, the average household income for families in Odenton was about $132,787. Most residents in Odenton speak English.

Schools in Odenton

Public Schools

Children in Odenton attend public schools that are part of the Anne Arundel County Public Schools district.

Elementary Schools

• Crofton Woods Elementary School (in Crofton)
• Four Seasons Elementary School (in Gambrills)
• Odenton Elementary School
• Piney Orchard Elementary School
• Seven Oaks Elementary School
• Waugh Chapel Elementary School

Middle Schools

• Arundel Middle School
• Crofton Middle School (in Gambrills)
• MacArthur Middle School (at Fort Meade)

High Schools

• Arundel High School (in Gambrills)
• Crofton High School (in Gambrills)
• Meade High School (at Fort Meade)

Private Schools

• Odenton Christian School
• Annapolis Area Christian School (near Severn)
• School of the Incarnation (SOTI)

Famous People from Odenton

• Jackson Dean, a country music singer
• Cam Whitmore, a basketball player
• Bobby Godwin, a Mayor
• Dj Harness, a Rocket Scientist

Odenton Neighborhoods

• Academy Yard
• Breezewood
• Chapelgate
• Chapel Grove
• Colony Ridge
• Crawfords Ridge
• Four Seasons
• Kings Ransom
• Kings Heights
• Lions Gate
• Maple Ridge
• Odenton Gardens
• Peach Tree
• Piney Orchard
• The Groves
• Harvest Run
• Seven Oaks
• Shelter Cove
• Two Rivers

See also

In Spanish: Odenton (Maryland) para niños