About Bowie's Belair At Bowie

Take a walk through history right here in Bowie MD as you explore several sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Belair Mansion, Belair Stable, and Bowie Railroad Museum.

BELAIR MANSION - This home was built circa 1740 by Samuel Ogle, Governor of Maryland. Through the years, it became known as the "House of Governors" because Governors Thomas Bladen, Benjamin Tasker, Sr, Benjamin Ogle I, Oden Bowie and Christopher Lowndes were also associated with it at various times. Belair at Bowie was built on land that was originally part of this estate.

BELAIR STABLE - You'll find out why Bowie is known as the "Cradle of Thoroughbred Racing" when you visit the stable on Belair Drive which housed the first known breeding pair of English thoroughbred horses, brought to America in 1747. Bowie's history is rich in "firsts" for thoroughbred breeding and racing in America, as well as being the home of Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox and others famous horses over the decades.

BOWIE RAILROAD MUSEUM - In 1853, Col. William Duckett Bowie obtained a charter from the Maryland Legislature to construct a rail line into Southern Maryland and, in 1869, the Baltimore & Potomac Railroad Company began construction of a line from Baltimore to Southern Maryland. The city of Bowie grew from a small cluster of buildings near the first rail station, built in 1872, at the junction with the rail line into Washington, DC.

These museums are open Tuesday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m., and other times for groups (arranged in advance).

These are only a few of many historic sites in the Bowie area... I'll introduce you to additional local history in future blog posts. In the meantime, why not visit these sites the next time you're looking for fun things to do in Bowie MD, not far from your home in Belair at Bowie.

MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN BOWIE MD:

1. Dinner and a Movie - Fun Things To Do In Bowie MD - There's no shortage of places to dine in Bowie MD when your taste buds get tired of the same ol' thing. Whether you're looking for burgers or fajitas, seafood or salad... it's all here in Bowie. One of my family's...
2. Let's Play Golf - Fun Things To Do In Bowie MD - Looking for things to do in Bowie, Maryland? Local residents love Bowie Golf and Country Club, a city-owned facility on Route 197 in North Bowie operated as a semi-private club. This 18-hole golf course...
3. Take a Walk Through History - Fun Things To Do In Bowie MD - Take a walk through history right here in Bowie MD as you explore several sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Belair Mansion, Belair Stable, and Bowie Railroad Museum...
4. Spend an Afternoon with a Good Book - Fun Things to Do In Bowie MD - Whether you prefer a best seller or a literary classic to read, you'll find it at BOWIE LIBRARY, located on Route 450 adjacent to Bowie Sr. High School. But books aren't the only thing you'll find…
5. Enjoy a Lazy Day at Allen Pond - Fun Things to do in Bowie MD - Enjoy a lazy afternoon at Allen Pond with family and friends... or even by yourself. There's something to be said for "getting away" for a little peace and quiet. Bowie residents love Allen Pond...
6. Take Fido to the Dog Park - Fun Things To Do in Bowie MD - Take your dog to the Dog Park on Northview Drive in Bowie MD, and you'll both enjoy it! Bowie residents find that it's a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your pet, for your dog to get some...
7. One, Two, Three Strikes You're Out at the Bowie Baysox - Fun Things to Do in Bowie MD - How lucky are we to have the Bowie Baysox right here in Bowie MD, not to mention the fact that we live about a half hour from major league baseball in both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore!
8. Live Performances - Fun Things to do in Bowie MD - Bernard Slade's Same Time, Next Year opened this weekend at Bowie Playhouse and runs through August 14. Bowie Playhouse - known for many years as Bowie Theatre in the Woods - is located near Belair in Bowie, in Whitemarsh Park off southbound Route 3, between Routes 50 and 450. It's a 150-seat indoor theatre owned and operated by the City of Bowie.

Looking for things to do in Bowie, Maryland? Local residents love Bowie Golf and Country Club, a city-owned facility on Route 197 across from Belair at Bowie in North Bowie operated as a semi-private club.

This 18-hole golf course ia open year-round, plus there's a driving range, putting green, pro-shop, picnic area and 19th hole eatery/bar. Non-members can play golf for as little as $20 after 4 p.m. on weekdays to $50 on weekend mornings, and unlimited memberships range from $1750 (seniors) to $2150 (families). Bowie residents are eligible for a “Class C” membership for $50, which provides a significant discount on the daily rate, and kids play free (subject to some limitations).

During the 18th century, this property was part of a 600-acre working horse farm known as Peachtree Estates. Over time, the estate was divided and sold as farms, including 175 acres owned for generations by the Maenner family. 134 acres of their property was eventually purchased by a group of investors who developed the property in the mid 1950’s as Belair Golf and Country Club.

Two decades later, citizen-activists worked very ha rd to save their local golf course when other developers sought to build cluster homes on the property. The matter went to a city-wide referendum, and a vote to purchase the property with city tax dollars won by only three votes. (Visit the Bowie Golf and Country Club website for more information including policies, rates, photos, and more.)

But this isn't your only convenient option for a round of golf...

Four other golf courses are located within 15 minutes of Bowie: Glen Dale Golf Club in Glen Dale and The Country Club at Woodmore in Mitchellville (Prince George's County) and Walden Golf Course and Crofton Country Club in Crofton (Anne Arundel County). Visit their websites for more information.

So grab your clubs, and let's play a round of golf next weekend - another fun thing to do in Bowie MD, right around the corner from your home in Belair at Bowie.

MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN BOWIE MD:

1. Dinner and a Movie - Fun Things To Do In Bowie MD - There's no shortage of places to dine in Bowie MD when your taste buds get tired of the same ol' thing. Whether you're looking for burgers or fajitas, seafood or salad... it's all here in Bowie. One of my family's...
2. Let's Play Golf - Fun Things To Do In Bowie MD - Looking for things to do in Bowie, Maryland? Local residents love Bowie Golf and Country Club, a city-owned facility on Route 197 in North Bowie operated as a semi-private club. This 18-hole golf course...
3. Take a Walk Through History - Fun Things To Do In Bowie MD - Take a walk through history right here in Bowie MD as you explore several sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Belair Mansion, Belair Stable, and Bowie Railroad Museum...
4. Spend an Afternoon with a Good Book - Fun Things to Do In Bowie MD - Whether you prefer a best seller or a literary classic to read, you'll find it at BOWIE LIBRARY, located on Route 450 adjacent to Bowie Sr. High School. But books aren't the only thing you'll find…
5. Enjoy a Lazy Day at Allen Pond - Fun Things to do in Bowie MD - Enjoy a lazy afternoon at Allen Pond with family and friends... or even by yourself. There's something to be said for "getting away" for a little peace and quiet. Bowie residents love Allen Pond...
6. Take Fido to the Dog Park - Fun Things To Do in Bowie MD - Take your dog to the Dog Park on Northview Drive in Bowie MD, and you'll both enjoy it! Bowie residents find that it's a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your pet, for your dog to get some...
7. One, Two, Three Strikes You're Out at the Bowie Baysox - Fun Things to Do in Bowie MD - How lucky are we to have the Bowie Baysox right here in Bowie MD, not to mention the fact that we live about a half hour from major league baseball in both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore!
8. Live Performances - Fun Things to do in Bowie MD - Bernard Slade's Same Time, Next Year opened this weekend at Bowie Playhouse and runs through August 14. Bowie Playhouse - known for many years as Bowie Theatre in the Woods - is located near Belair in Bowie, in Whitemarsh Park off southbound Route 3, between Routes 50 and 450. It's a 150-seat indoor theatre owned and operated by the City of Bowie.

There's no shortage of places to dine in Bowie MD when your taste buds get tired of the same ol' thing. Whether you're looking for burgers or fajitas, seafood or salad... it's all here in Bowie, within five minutes of Belair at Bowie.

One of my family's favorite restaurants in Bowie is Rip's, although you can find almost any national franchise eatery your heart desires.

Why Rip's? First of all, it IS unique - you won't find one in or near every shopping mall in the country. The food is home-style and home-cooked on site... recipes the locals have enjoyed for years, some since the 50's. And the decor honors Bowie's place in history as the cradle of thoroughbred racing. Ask for a booth, where you'll see the name of a champion thoroughbred posted overhead.

We frequent the franchise restaurants in Bowie, too: Bob Evans, especially for breakfast; Outback Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, and Texas Longhorns for steak; On the Boarder and Chili's for Tex-Mex; Carrabbas, Applebee's, Olive Garden, Uno's, DeClaw Brewery, Panera Bread, and countless fast-food restaurants, too. One thing for sure, you know what to expect at each of these places, so you're rarely disappointed.

After dinner, head on over to Regal Bowie Crossing Cinema. With 14 screens, there's bound to be a show that interests you. Seating is stadium style, and you can purchase your ticket online in advance or in the lobby when you arrive. If you're still hungry you can grab some popcorn, candy or beverages before heading into a show. (Click Bowie Movie Times and Tickets)

Yes, you could cook a frozen dinner and watch a movie on DVD, but it's just not the same as going out and doing something fun in Bowie, is it?

MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN BOWIE MD:

1. Dinner and a Movie - Fun Things To Do In Bowie MD - There's no shortage of places to dine in Bowie MD when your taste buds get tired of the same ol' thing. Whether you're looking for burgers or fajitas, seafood or salad... it's all here in Bowie. One of my family's...
2. Let's Play Golf - Fun Things To Do In Bowie MD - Looking for things to do in Bowie, Maryland? Local residents love Bowie Golf and Country Club, a city-owned facility on Route 197 in North Bowie operated as a semi-private club. This 18-hole golf course...
3. Take a Walk Through History - Fun Things To Do In Bowie MD - Take a walk through history right here in Bowie MD as you explore several sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Belair Mansion, Belair Stable, and Bowie Railroad Museum...
4. Spend an Afternoon with a Good Book - Fun Things to Do In Bowie MD - Whether you prefer a best seller or a literary classic to read, you'll find it at BOWIE LIBRARY, located on Route 450 adjacent to Bowie Sr. High School. But books aren't the only thing you'll find…
5. Enjoy a Lazy Day at Allen Pond - Fun Things to do in Bowie MD - Enjoy a lazy afternoon at Allen Pond with family and friends... or even by yourself. There's something to be said for "getting away" for a little peace and quiet. Bowie residents love Allen Pond...
6. Take Fido to the Dog Park - Fun Things To Do in Bowie MD - Take your dog to the Dog Park on Northview Drive in Bowie MD, and you'll both enjoy it! Bowie residents find that it's a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your pet, for your dog to get some...
7. One, Two, Three Strikes You're Out at the Bowie Baysox - Fun Things to Do in Bowie MD - How lucky are we to have the Bowie Baysox right here in Bowie MD, not to mention the fact that we live about a half hour from major league baseball in both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore!
8. Live Performances - Fun Things to do in Bowie MD - Bernard Slade's Same Time, Next Year opened this weekend at Bowie Playhouse and runs through August 14. Bowie Playhouse - known for many years as Bowie Theatre in the Woods - is located near Belair in Bowie, in Whitemarsh Park off southbound Route 3, between Routes 50 and 450. It's a 150-seat indoor theatre owned and operated by the City of Bowie.

Buy a home in the City of Bowie and receive a $2,000 grant if you’re a police officer, city employee or teacher.

You can find a real bargain in Belair at Bowie. Some models are selling as much as $50–$75,000 below what they did only two years ago. I have a beautiful listing that settles this week at just $275,000 – an owner occupied rancher with a huge addition, updated kitchen and baths, new windows and more. That’s lower than the price of most townhones in nearby Crofton, Gambrills or Odenton.

In fact, there are more than 500 homes for sale in Greater Bowie right now, including 107 in the nearby 20715 zipcode. They range from $160,000 for a townhome in Belair Town to $639,000 for a home in Saddlebrook West. My son and his family live in Belair at Bowie, and they love their local school - not to mention the shorter commute to Arlington than they had from Crofton.

Bowie is collaborating with the Prince George’s County Council and the Maryland Department of Housing to offer the City Workforce and Bowie First programs. These will provide $1,000 in closing assistance to eligible home buyers, and the Maryland Mortgage Program will provide matching funds for a total of $2,000.

You can search Bowie Homes for Sale by clicking on the link provided, and then let me know if you’d like to inspect the interior of anything you see there. You’ll find a wide range of homes including both owner-occupied homes and bargain-basement priced foreclosures, short sales and REO’s. (To learn the difference, check out this YouTube video: Real Estate Distress Sales Described)

Congratulations to the City of Bowie for reaching out to prospective homebuyers and making it easier for them to afford a Bowie home.

And congratulations to eligible Bowie homebuyers who enjoy a rare opportunity to get $2000 through these programs PLUS the Federal Tax Credit of $8,000.

Funds will be awarded on a first-come first-serve basis, so get started now. For more information, contact the City Grants Administrator at City Hall (301-809-3072) or print out one of these applications:

Applications

• Bowie First Mortgage Assistance Grant - Application & Information (Police and Teachers)
• City Workforce Mortgage Assistance Grant - Application & Information (City Employees)

Relocating to the Washington-Baltimore area from another part of the country? You may notice that many Bowie homes are similar to other neighborhoods in Maryland including nearby Crofton, Largo, Laurel, Columbia and Wheaton.

In fact, Belair at Bowie may resemble a place you previously lived in New York or New Jersey, Virginia or Pennsylvania - literally hundreds of communities, with many of the same floorplans and architectural designs, were built in hundreds of communities by Levitt and Sons. In fact, the company is still in business as Levitt Corporation, 36 years after the family company was sold.

Few current Bowie residents are old enough to remember Pete Seeger's hit recording in 1963, Little Boxes, but you may get a kick out of reading the lyrics of Little Boxes. Lots of fans thought of Levitt homes when they heard it, but composer Malvina Reynolds' inspiration was actually Dale City, California. By the way, it was performed more recently in the 2005 movie, The Californians, in case it sounds familiar and you're not old enough to remember Pete Seeger.

Okay, Bowie, here's some history about the developer and builder who gave you Belair at Bowie:

Levitt and Sons was established in 1929 by the son of immigrants, real estate attorney Abraham Levitt and his sons William, as President, and Alfred, as Chief Architect and Planner. They started construction the same year on their first community at Rockville Centre, New York, and expanded to several other states over the next four decades.

From the Levitt Corporation website:

William Levitt anticipated a pent-up demand for housing after World War II, and the company started acquiring land while he was still serving in the Pacific with the Seabees, the U.S. Navy's construction unit. The company came up with a design for a basic house, together with a way to reduce construction procedures to 26 steps. This process, together with their mechanical and technical innovations, revolutionized the home-building industry.

Levitt actually created an assembly line to build houses on the site, using men and equipment much as they do in the auto industry. The essential difference between Detroit's methods and Levitt's was that auto makers moved materials past a waiting line of men in a factory, whereas the Levitt system moved the workmen from house site to house site past a waiting line of material in the field. Thus, in an industry notorious for wasted time, motion and material, the company introduced previously unheard-of logistics, timing and efficiency.

William took over the company in 1954 and continued to operate it until 1972, even after selling the company to ITT in 1968 and ITT's subsequent loss of the company in 1971 due to an anti-trust ruling.

Levitt homes were built in Bowie from 1960 to the mid 1970's

Over the years, Levitt companies established a modular home building subsidiary, expanded overseas, and changed hands several times. The Levitt Corporation and many of its subsidiaries are still in business today, even after the 2007 bankruptcy filing by Levitt and Sons, LLC and 37 subsidiaries. While Bill Levitt did return to the building industry in the late 70's, he was barred by the courts from using his own name, a trademark of the company he sold.

Levitt homes sold for less than $20,000, back in the day, and you can see the line which wrapped around the block on opening day when you visit LevittownBeyond.com. This website also displays a copy of the original renderings for Belair at Bowie.

Bowie Homes for Sale today are priced from the $200,000's to the $400,000's, depending on the degree to which they've been added to, updated and upgraded. Here are some of the home styles available in Bowie:

Ardsley - 4 bedroom cape-cod

Buckingham - 3-bedroom ranch

Cambridge - 3 bedroom 2-story colonial style

Country Clubber - 4-5 bedroom cape-cod

Devon - expanded 3-bedroom ranch style

Dorset -3-bedroom townhome

Gladstone - 4-bedroom 2-story colonial style

RELATED LINKS:

• Top 3 Reasons to Buy a Home in Bowie, Maryland
• Your Online Relocation Package for Anne Arundel County Maryland
• Find out how today's mortgage interest compares with the rates last week and last month