Accokeek, Maryland History, Economy and Politics

By | April 7, 2023

Accokeek is an unincorporated community located in Prince George’s County, Maryland. It is situated about 15 miles south of Washington D.C., and is bordered by the Potomac River to the east and the Accokeek Creek to the west. The town itself covers a total area of 8.3 square miles and has a population of around 8,000 people. Check themotorcyclers for information about Allegany County, Maryland.

Accokeek is mostly rural with its main industries being farming and fishing. Its terrain is mostly flat with gently rolling hills, and there are several small streams that run through the area as well as numerous ponds, rivers, and creeks. The climate of Accokeek is humid subtropical with hot summers and mild winters.

The town lies within an area known as Piscataway Park which was established in 1961 by the National Park Service to protect the natural resources of this region. This park encompasses over 5,000 acres of land and includes forests, meadows, wetlands, streams, ponds, historical sites, trails for hiking and biking, picnic areas, camping sites, boat launches into the Potomac River, and a variety of wildlife viewing opportunities.

Accokeek also has several historical sites located throughout its borders including Fort Washington which was built in 1809 by President Thomas Jefferson as part of his defense against potential British invasion during the War of 1812. Additionally there are numerous other historic homes scattered throughout this region that date back to colonial times such as Mount Airy Mansion which was built in 1780 by John Addison Thomas who was a prominent Maryland politician at that time.

Overall, Accokeek offers stunning views of nature combined with its rich history making it an ideal destination for visitors seeking outdoor activities or just wanting to explore its many historic sites.

Accokeek, Maryland

History of Accokeek, Maryland

Accokeek, Maryland is situated on the Potomac River and is a part of Prince George’s County. It was established in 1695 and was originally inhabited by the Piscataway Indian tribe. During this time, Accokeek was known as “The Land of Many Little Rivers” due to its numerous streams, creeks, and rivers.

In the early 1700s, the land that makes up Accokeek was divided into several large farms owned by wealthy planters. Among these planters were George Washington who owned a large estate near Fort Washington, John Addison Thomas who owned Mount Airy Mansion, and Philip Key who owned White House Plantation.

During the American Revolution, many of these farms were used as staging areas for troops preparing to fight in battles such as The Battle of Bladensburg in 1814 which resulted in a decisive victory for British forces. After the war ended there was an influx of settlers from England and Ireland who moved to this area to start new lives.

In 1861 during the Civil War, Confederate forces occupied Fort Washington which had been constructed in 1809 by President Thomas Jefferson for defense against potential British invasion during the War of 1812. Union forces eventually recaptured it but not before causing considerable damage to some of the surrounding areas including Accokeek.

In 1961 Piscataway Park was established by the National Park Service to protect natural resources and promote recreation within this region. This park encompasses over 5,000 acres of land and includes forests, meadows, wetlands streams ponds historical sites trails for hiking and biking picnic areas camping sites boat launches into Potomac River and a variety of wildlife viewing opportunities.

Today Accokeek is an unincorporated community with a population of around 8 thousand people with its main industries being farming and fishing. It also attracts visitors from all over due to its stunning views of nature combined with its rich history making it an ideal destination for outdoor activities or just wanting explore its many historic sites.

Economy of Accokeek, Maryland

Accokeek, Maryland is an unincorporated community located in Prince George’s County, with a population of around 8 thousand people. It is known for its rich history and stunning views of nature. The local economy of Accokeek relies on both farming and fishing as its main industries.

Agriculture has been a major part of the local economy since the land was first inhabited by the Piscataway Indian tribe in 1695. During this time, Accokeek was known as “The Land of Many Little Rivers” due to its numerous streams, creeks, and rivers. In the early 1700s, the land that makes up Accokeek was divided into several large farms owned by wealthy planters including George Washington who owned a large estate near Fort Washington and John Addison Thomas who owned Mount Airy Mansion.

Today there are still many farms in Accokeek which grow various crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat and hay. These crops are sold locally at farmer’s markets or shipped off to other parts of the state or even out-of-state. There are also poultry farms which produce eggs and meat for sale in local grocery stores or restaurants.

Fishing has also been an important part of the local economy since colonial times when it provided food for settlers living in the area as well as a source of income through trade with other parts of Maryland or Virginia. Today fishing is still an important activity in Accokeek with many people making their living through commercial fishing or recreational fishing on weekends or holidays.

In addition to farming and fishing, tourism has become an increasingly important part of the local economy due to its proximity to Washington D.C., its stunning views, and its rich history which includes sites such as Piscataway Park established by The National Park Service in 1961 to protect natural resources and promote recreation within this region. The park encompasses over 5,000 acres and includes forests, meadows wetlands streams ponds historical sites trails for hiking and biking picnic areas camping sites boat launches into Potomac River and a variety of wildlife viewing opportunities making it an ideal destination for outdoor activities or just wanting explore its many historic sites.

Overall, Accokeek’s economy is diverse but heavily reliant on agriculture and fishing with tourism playing an increasingly important role in recent years due to its proximity to Washington D.C., stunning views, rich history and outdoor recreation opportunities available within Piscataway Park.

Politics in Accokeek, Maryland

The politics of Accokeek, Maryland are reflective of the larger state of Maryland and the nation as a whole. Accokeek is part of Prince George’s County, which is considered a “blue county” due to its strong Democratic majority. The county has voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election since 1992, and in 2016 Hillary Clinton won the county with an overwhelming majority.

At the local level, Accokeek is represented by two senators and three delegates in the Maryland General Assembly. All five representatives are Democrats. In addition, Accokeek is part of Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District which is represented by Democrat Steny Hoyer in the United States House of Representatives.

Accokeek also has a five-member town council that serves as its local government and is responsible for setting policy for the town including budgeting, taxation, public services, land use and development regulations. All members of the town council are elected from single-member districts within Accokeek on a non-partisan basis with no political party affiliations listed on ballots or other documents related to elections.

Overall, given its location within Prince George’s County and its representation in Congress and state legislature by Democrats, it can be said that Accokeek leans heavily towards liberal policies with an emphasis on protecting natural resources through land use regulations as well as providing access to public services such as healthcare and education for all residents regardless of income level or other factors.