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Place Name
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Bladensburg
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Pronunciation
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BLAI-denz-buhrg
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Place Status (Type)
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town
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Population
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8,064 (1990)
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Location
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Prince Georges County, Maryland (MD), United States, North America
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Latitude
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38°57'N
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Longitude
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76°56'W
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Bladensburg
(BLAI-denz-buhrg), town (1990 pop. 8,064), Prince
Georges co., S central Md., a residential suburb of Washington, D.C.,
on the Anacostia R.; 38°57'N 76°56'W. Originally called Garrison's
Landing, it was renamed in honor of Thomas Bladen, governor of Md.
1742-1747. The defeat (August 24, 1814) here of Amer. troops under
Gen. W. H. Winder permitted the British under Gen. Robert Ross to march
on Wash., D.C., and burn many of the public bldgs. Despite the
outlawing of dueling 4 years before, the town was also the scene of the
historic duel in which Stephen Decatur, the naval hero, was mortally
wounded in 1820 by James Barron. Was a busy port shipping out flour and
tobacco, until the river silted up by 1800. Site of Bostwick House
(c.1746) and Indian Anne Tavern also known as George Washington House
(c.1755-1765). Home of William Wirt, anti-Masonic candidate for
president in 1832. Chartered 1742, inc. 1854.
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