Owings, Maryland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Owings, Maryland
Census-designated place
Location of Owings, Maryland
Country	United States
State	Maryland
County	Calvert
Area
• Total	3.95 sq mi (10.23 km2)
• Land	3.94 sq mi (10.20 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation	89 ft (27 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	2,141
• Density	543.54/sq mi (209.85/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	20736
Area code(s)	410, 443, and 667
FIPS code	24-59375
GNIS feature ID	0590959

Owings is a small community in northern Calvert County, Maryland, United States. It is known as a census-designated place (CDP). This means it is a specific area identified by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes.

In 2020, about 2,141 people lived in Owings. The population has grown over the years. In 2000, there were 1,325 residents, and by 2010, it had grown to 2,149 people.

Geography of Owings

Owings is located in the northern part of Calvert County. It is right on the border with Anne Arundel County. The community of Friendship is just north of Owings.

Two main roads pass through Owings. Maryland Route 2 (also called Solomons Island Road) runs west of the town center. This road can take you north about 23 miles (37 km) to Annapolis. It also goes south about 13 miles (21 km) to Prince Frederick, which is the main town in Calvert County.

Maryland Route 260 goes through the middle of Owings. It leads southeast about 4 miles (6 km) to Chesapeake Beach. It also goes northwest about 11 miles (18 km) to Upper Marlboro.

The total area of Owings is about 3.9 square miles (10.2 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with only a tiny part being water.

Owings is considered an "exurban" area. This means it's a mix of rural and suburban places. You can find farmland, single-family homes, and neighborhoods here. About half of Owings is covered in woods, and local rules help keep it that way.

The center of Owings is on the path of an old train line called the Chesapeake Beach Railway. This old railway line is now Maryland Route 260. Owings used to be a stop on this train route.

Hall Creek starts near Owings and forms part of its northern border. It flows west and eventually empties into the Patuxent River. This creek has carved a deep valley through the hilly land in Calvert County.

People in Owings

In 2000, there were 1,325 people living in Owings. These people lived in 426 households, and 356 of these were families. The population density was about 337 people per square mile.

Many households in Owings had children under 18 living with them (42.3%). Most households were married couples living together (71.8%). The average household had about 3 people, and the average family had about 3.3 people.

The population was spread out by age. About 29.7% of residents were under 18 years old. About 9.1% were 65 years or older. The average age in Owings was 38 years.

The median income for a household in Owings in 2000 was $74,150. This means half of the households earned more than this amount, and half earned less.

History of Owings

Before trains arrived, Calvert County was mostly rural. There were not many roads, and no railroads. The main business was tobacco farming, like in many parts of Southern Maryland before the Civil War.

The Owings family was important in Maryland history. They worked as real estate agents and merchants. They helped develop the North Beach and Chesapeake Beach areas as summer vacation spots. They also helped plan the Chesapeake Beach Railway. This railway was used to ship canned goods out of the county.

Owings was named after Harry P. Owings. The train station at the crossing of the railway and Solomons Island Road was first called "Friendship." To avoid confusion with the nearby town of Friendship, the railway president, David Moffatt, renamed it "Owings." This was also a way to honor Harry P. Owings.

Harry P. Owings was a local farmer and was interested in real estate. He was also a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1888 to 1889. Many people bought land in the area that he had divided through his real estate business. This helped the town of Owings grow. He also sold things like lime, fertilizer, coal, and metal roofs in the county. In 1900, Harry P. Owings became the station manager for the railway.

Harry P. Owings also owned the Owings House. This house was built in 1850 and is still recorded with the Maryland Historical Trust. It used to be a place where people could stay overnight when visiting Owings. They would keep their horses in the stables and sleep at the house before catching the train the next morning. The Owings train stop was the only one in Calvert County in the early days of the railway.

A sawmill that operated in Owings in the early 1900s has since disappeared.

The Maidstone Plantation is a historic place in Owings. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

Community Resources

Businesses in Owings

Owings has several small businesses. There is a convenience store and gas station. You can also find two childcare centers and at least one church. A building that used to have a medical office and a pharmacy is located at the intersection of Route 2 and Route 260. There is also a small industrial area with a concrete supplier and an auto repair shop. A funeral home is located near the southern edge of the community.

Public Services and Recreation

The Owings Post Office is located on Old Solomon's Island Road.

Two schools, Windy Hill Elementary and Windy Hill Middle School, are located on the eastern side of Owings. They share a campus.

Hutchins Pond is a public pond within Owings. The Hutchins family donated it. The Calvert Nature Society manages the pond, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources stocks it with trout for fishing.

Owings also has a Boys & Girls Club affiliate called the Owings Outlaws. They have teams that play football and basketball.

Several neighborhoods make up Owings, including Cabin Branch, Cross Point, Grover's Summit, Sycamore Ridge, Quince Views, Arbor Greene, Fairview, and Amber Woods.

See also

In Spanish: Owings (Maryland) para niños