Founded in 1870, Bowie has grown from a small railroad stop to the largest municipality in Prince George's County and the fourth largest city in the State of Maryland. It is a city of 16 square miles and approximately 50,000 residents. 

Bowie has nearly 2,000 acres set aside as parks or open space.  It has 72 ball fields, 3 community centers, an ice arena, a theatrical playhouse, a golf course, and 3 museums.  The city recently added a state-of-the-art senior citizens' center and a gymnasium for community programs. 

Bowie enjoys a rich and diverse historic and cultural heritage. The original Belair Estate contains the Belair Mansion, a beautiful five-part Georgian plantation, house of Governor Samuel Ogle and his son, Governor Benjamin Ogle.  The mansion was also the home of William Woodward, a famous horseman in the first half of the 20th century.  Restored to reflect its 250 year old history, the mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Belair Stable on the estate was one of the premier racing stables in the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's, owned and operated by William Woodward.  Until its closing in 1957, it was the oldest continually operated thoroughbred horse farm in the country.

The city of Bowie is a dynamic, family-oriented community whose residents enjoy an exceptional quality of life.

Photos on this page are taken from the Bowie web site found at the link below.