Happy TravellerWelcome to Suitland, Maryland, a charming unincorporated community and census designated place (CDP) located approximately one mile southeast of Washington, D.C. With a population of 25,839 as of the 2020 census, Suitland is named after 19th century landowner and businessman Senator Samuel Taylor Suit, whose estate, Suitland, was located near the present-day intersection of Suitland and Silver Hill Roads.
History:
Suitland has a rich history dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries when the Piscataway tribe inhabited the lands in southern Maryland. European settlers first visited Saint Clements Island on the Potomac River and then established their first Maryland colony downriver at Saint Marys City in 1634. In the 19th century, tobacco production had made Prince Georges County one of the wealthiest counties in Maryland, and half of the county’s population was enslaved. After the war, old plantations were broken up and replaced by communities centered on small farming and country villages.
Things to do:
Suitland offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. Cedar Hill Cemetery and Lincoln Memorial Cemetery are two historic cemeteries in Suitland that offer a glimpse into the area’s past. Cedar Hill Cemetery was founded in 1895 and built on the former Nonesuch Plantation. Lincoln Memorial Cemetery was founded in 1927 on the former Landon dairy farm and is the site where many prominent African-Americans are buried. Individuals include Dr. Charles Richard Drew, who established improved techniques for blood storage and developed large scale blood banks early in World War II, and Nannie Helen Burroughs, educator and civil rights activist.
For those interested in aviation history, the property owned by James West and Joseph Friday, located near the current intersection of Swann and Silver Hill Roads, was used as an airfield from 1938 to 1941. Named Skyhaven by a local student who won the naming contest sponsored by West and Friday, Skyhaven Airfield hosted a flying club that served 20 small planes, including Wacos, Great Lakes, and Pipers.
Suitland also offers a variety of dining options, including local favorites like Mama Stella’s Ristorante Italiano and the Caribbean Seafood Restaurant.
Future developments:
Recent developments in Suitland include a double-digit fall in crime rates and increased development in the surrounding county. These include National Harbor to the south, Konterra to the north, Joint Base Andrews to the east of town, and the continuing development and/or gentrification of southeast Washington D.C. to the west. Several currently under-utilized Metro Stations in or around Suitland promise further development, as does recent legislation permitting gaming/casinos to be located in National Harbor. Two more revitalization projects were announced to the public in 2012: the Buy Suitland initiative and the Green Suitland Neighborhood Stabilization Project.
Whether you’re interested in history, aviation, or simply looking for a charming community to explore, Suitland, Maryland has something for everyone. Come visit and discover the many treasures this hidden gem has to offer!
