Camp Springs history

The history of Camp Springs is rooted in the mid-19th century. Initially, this settlement was called Allentown in honour of the influential local Allen family, who owned vast lands in the county. The settlement developed at a busy crossroads of roads leading to Washington, making it a convenient stopover for travellers and merchants.

The area received its modern name at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The name change was necessary to avoid constant confusion in postal deliveries with the large city of Allentown in the neighbouring state of Pennsylvania. The new name, Camp Springs, reflected the natural features of the district: the presence of clear springs and popular sites for camp gatherings and assemblies, which were frequently held here in those times.

For a long time, the district's economy remained agrarian: local farmers specialised in growing tobacco, the main crop of Maryland in that era. Community life was quiet and measured, centred around the church, the school, and a few shops. Radical changes began in the 1940s, when the establishment of a major airbase nearby provided a powerful impetus for urbanisation and the transformation of a quiet rural corner into a developed suburb of the capital.

Key Historical Milestones

• Mid-19th Century — The settlement of Allentown forms at the intersection of trade routes, named after a family of influential local landowners.
• Late 19th Century — The area becomes known for its clear springs and the regular hosting of religious camp gatherings here.
• Early 20th Century — The Postal Service officially approves the name Camp Springs to eliminate confusion with the city of Allentown in Pennsylvania.
• 1941 — President Franklin Roosevelt initiates the search for a site for a new airfield, which determines the future fate of the district.
• 1942 — Construction of the Camp Springs Army Airfield begins, for which lands of local farms are purchased.
• 1943 — The airfield begins operations, becoming a strategically important object for the defence of the capital.
• 1945 — The military facility is renamed Andrews Field (subsequently Andrews Air Force Base), attracting many military personnel and their families to the area.
• 1950s — 1960s — Large-scale suburbanisation occurs: former tobacco fields are built up with residential houses, schools, and shopping centres.
• 2001 — The opening of the "Branch Avenue" Metro station ensures residents a direct and fast connection to the centre of Washington.
• 2009 — As a result of reorganisation, Joint Base Andrews is created, remaining a dominant force in the life of the community.

Stages of City Development and Transformation

The evolution of Camp Springs is a clear example of the transformation of a rural area into a strategically important suburb of the capital. Key stages of development defined the current economic and urban planning appearance of the district, turning it from an agrarian community into a modern urbanised centre.

• Transition to a Military Economy (1940s). The construction of the airfield (the future Andrews Base) became a turning point in the settlement's history. This event completely changed the economic structure: tobacco plantations were replaced by jobs in the defence sector and the service industry, ensuring the district a stable influx of investment for decades to come.
• Era of Mass Suburbanisation (1950s–1960s). In the post-war years, active development of former agricultural lands began. The appearance of neighbourhoods with affordable housing for families of military personnel and federal workers formed the classic architectural look of Camp Springs as a cosy American suburb.
• Commercial Development of Branch Avenue (1970s–1990s). The expansion of the main transport artery stimulated the growth of small and medium-sized businesses. Shopping centres, restaurants, and service enterprises grew along the highway, turning the road into the district's main economic corridor.
• Integration into the Capital's Transport Network (2001). The opening of the terminal station of the Green Line Metro (Branch Avenue) radically improved logistics. Direct communication with the centre of Washington increased property values and made the area attractive for professionals working in the capital.
• Revitalisation and Creation of the Town Center (2000s – Present). A shift in the urban planning paradigm led to the development of the territory around the metro. The construction of modern multi-storey residential complexes and mixed-use offices is aimed at moving away from the image of a "dormitory district" and creating a full-fledged urban environment with pedestrian zones.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Environment Development

The architectural landscape of Camp Springs cannot boast ancient cathedrals or palaces, as its active development began only in the mid-20th century. It is a classic example of American suburbanisation, where urban planning was dictated by the needs of the growing middle class and proximity to federal facilities. The appearance of the district clearly reflects the transition from low-rise suburban development to modern urban solutions.

Main Development Stages and Styles

The development of Camp Springs can be divided into three key phases, each corresponding to its own architectural approach:

• Mid-20th Century (1940s–1960s): American Ranch and Colonial Revival.
  During the post-war boom, the main task was providing housing for the families of Andrews Base servicemen. Streets were built up with standard single-storey houses in the Ranch-style — low-set buildings with gently sloping roofs and open layouts. Also popular were Split-level homes and cottages in a simplified Colonial Revival style (brick façades, symmetry, white porticos), imitating the historic architecture of the East Coast.
• Second Half of the 20th Century (1970s–1990s): Commercial Functionalism.
  With the development of automotive transport along the main artery, Branch Avenue, a zone of commercial development was formed. Here, a utilitarian style prevails: shopping centres (strip malls), car showrooms, and fast-food restaurants. The architecture of this period is characterised by simplicity of forms, the use of concrete, glass, and metal structures, oriented towards visual perception from the window of a passing car.
• Early 21st Century (2000s – Present): Postmodernism and TOD (Transit-oriented development).
  The opening of the metro station stimulated the construction of multi-storey residential complexes and offices. Modern buildings in the station area represent a mix of Postmodernism and contemporary residential architecture: the use of multi-coloured façade panels, panoramic glazing, variable storeys, and the integration of commercial premises on the ground floors.

Notable Districts and Objects

The urban planning structure of Camp Springs has several points of attraction that form its visual image:

• Branch Avenue Metro Station Area. This is the centre of modern urbanisation. Located here are complexes such as The Apollo, which set a new height standard for the district and form a dense urban environment with pedestrian zones, atypical for an old suburb.
• Residential Neighbourhoods around Allentown Road. These streets preserve the atmosphere of "one-storey America" of the middle of the last century. Here one can see well-preserved examples of mass residential development of the 1950s, immersed in greenery, which creates a contrast with the business activity near the metro.
• Andrews Base Infrastructure. Although the base itself is a restricted facility, its hangars and administrative buildings, visible from the roads, add elements of industrial and military style to the landscape, reminding one of the key role of aviation in the city's history.

Distinguished Figures of Camp Springs

Many famous figures in sports, arts, and media are connected to Camp Springs, primarily through the local Crossland High School, which is an important educational centre of the district.

• Julian Peterson — Professional Athlete
  An outstanding American football player who performed as a linebacker in the NFL. During his career, he played for the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions. A five-time Pro Bowl participant, he is recognised as one of the best defenders of his generation.
• Peter Bergman — Television Actor
  A star of American daytime dramas. He received the greatest fame and critical acclaim for the role of Jack Abbott in the long-running series "The Young and the Restless". A multiple winner of the Daytime Emmy Award.
• Walt "The Wizard" Williams — Basketball Player
  An NBA player who spent more than 10 seasons in the league for clubs such as the Sacramento Kings and Miami Heat. He is a legend of the University of Maryland, where in the early 1990s he helped revive the university's basketball programme.
• J. G. Hertzler — Actor and Writer
  Gained worldwide fame thanks to the role of the Klingon General Martok in the cult science fiction series "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine". He actively participated in the theatrical life of the region before the start of his television career.
• Kevin Merida — Journalist and Media Manager
  An influential figure in American journalism. He held the post of executive editor of one of the country's largest newspapers — the Los Angeles Times, and was previously the managing editor of The Washington Post, overseeing news coverage and digital strategy.
• Tank (Durrell Babbs) — Musician and Producer
  A successful R&B artist and songwriter, and a multiple Grammy Award nominee. He began his path to fame while a student at the local school and became a significant figure in modern urban music.