Clinton, Maryland

Clinton is a census-designated place (CDP) in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. Clinton was formerly known as Surrattsville until the time of the American Civil War. The population of Clinton was 26,064 at the 2000 census. However, as of 2007, there is an estimate of 35,096. The postal code for Clinton is 20735. Clinton is historically known for its role in the American Civil War around the time of the Abraham Lincoln assassination. Clinton is adjacent to Camp Springs, MD, Rosaryville, MD, also known as Melwood, and Andrews Air Force Base. Brandywine, MD is less than 15 miles southeast of Clinton.

Geography

Clinton is located at (38.763711, -76.895458). According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 11.8 square miles (30.6 km²), of which, 11.8 square miles (30.6 km²) of it is land and 0.08% is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 26,064 people, 8,605 households, and 6,772 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,208.6 people per square mile (852.8/km²). There were 8,962 housing units at an average density of 759.4/sq mi (293.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 20.56% White, 73.69% African American, 0.47% Native American, 2.47% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races, and 2.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.90% of the population.

There were 8,605 households out of which 38.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% were non-families. 17.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.32.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $71,139, and the median income for a family was $75,036. Males had a median income of $41,736 versus $39,545 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,949. About 2.4% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.

History

Clinton was originally founded in the 1770s. The town, then named Surratt's Villa, was actually a simple crossroads with a few buildings. In the 1800s, it became known as Surrattsville. The main building served as the Post Office, an inn and tavern, and a polling place. This main residence was one of two properties owned by the widowed Mary Surratt, the second one was in Washington, D.C.

On the night of April 14/15, 1865, John Wilkes Booth, who had two hours earlier assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, stopped by the Surrattsville tavern, to pick up weapons and supplies. The U.S. Government alleged that Mrs. Surratt had gone there earlier with these supplies, and was in collusion with the conspirators, one of whom was her son, John Surratt.

Because she was found guilty of complicity in the Lincoln assassination, Mary Surratt was hanged to death at the Capitol Prison in Washington D.C., on July 7, 1865. (Her house is now the Surratt House Museum, with a focus on the assassination.) The U.S. Post Office renamed the town Robeysville, due to the notoriety of the Surratt name.

In 1879, Robeysville was renamed Clinton. The local high school, however, retains the name of Surrattsville, and local historians have continually urged Clinton to regain its unique name. Major local growth began in the 1950s, spurred partly by the establishment of adjacent Andrews Air Force Base, home of the Air Force Systems Command and the President's plane "Air Force One." Clinton has mostly single-family housing, but includes a few townhouse developments and one retirement mid-rise. Southern Maryland Regional Hospital is in Clinton, as is a private airfield. Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, a public facility operated by the Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, offers camping, hiking, fishing in a lake, an excellent playground, and a nature museum with nature activities. Clinton boasts a major shopping complex as well, and has a large fringe parking lot nearby that transports passengers a few miles to the Branch Avenue station of the Washington metrorail system. There are more shopping centers yet to be built. Clinton is also home to the James O. Hall Research Center which is located on the premises of the Surratts House.

Then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton briefly visited Clinton, Maryland, as a campaign stop in 1992.

Clinton is also the home town of Maryland State Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.; the Miller family is well-known in the area.

In 1913, B.K. Miller founded a general store at the main intersection in the town which still exists today as one of the largest liquor stores in southern Prince Georges County. It is still owned by the Miller family.

Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden attended the local high school Surrattsville and graduated in 1976. She won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for Pollock in 2001 and was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Mystic River in 2003. Another member of the Surrattsville High Class of 1976 was baritone Gordon Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins has won critical acclaim for his performances with opera companies and syphonies around the world.

Clinton is where American soap opera actress Laura Wright grew up. She graduated from Surrattsville High School in 1988.

Clinton is also where R&B Singer Tank grew up, as well as opera singer Gordon Hawkins.

A movie titled The Photon Effect was filmed in the town and also in Baltimore.

A movie titled "Safehouse" was filmed in Clinton in 2007. Among the actor's that flew out from Los Angeles to act in the film was Luke Barnett, who grew up in Clinton and graduated from Grace Brethren Christian School in 2001.

Education

Clinton, MD, schools spend $6,986 per student. By average, There are 18 pupils per teacher, 789 students per librarian, and 431 children per counselor in Clinton (zip 20735), MD schools.

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Prince George's County Public Schools operates public schools that serve the area.

• Clinton Grove Elementary School (9420 Temple Hill Road)
• Francis T. Evans Elementary School (6720 Old Alexander Ferry Road)
• James Ryder Randall Elementary School (5410 Kirby Road)
• Waldon Woods Elementary School (10301 Thrift Road)

Middle schools:

• Stephen Decatur Middle School (8200 Pinewood Drive)

High schools:

• Surrattsville High School (6101 Garden Drive)

Special schools:

• Tanglewood Regional Center (8333 Woodyard Road)

Private schools

• Grace Brethren Christian Church and School (6501 Surratts Road); this building was originally built as the first Surrattsville High School, and then became Surrattsville Junior High School before it was sold to Grace Brethren.
• St. John the Evangelist School (8912 Old Branch Avenue) for grades Pre-K through 8 opened in 1961.
• Independent Baptist Academy - (Piscataway Road) Grades K-4 and up.
• St. John DeMatha Catholic High School

References

External links