Hyattsville is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, and also a close, urban suburb of Washington, D.C. The population was 17,557 at the 2010 United States Census.
Video Hyattsville, Maryland
History
The city is named for its founder, Christopher Clark Hyatt (1799-1884), who purchased his first parcel of land in the area in 1845. Hyatt opened a store and began mail delivery, officially naming the nascent community "Hyattsville" in his 1859 application to become postmaster. The community's location at the intersection of the Washington and Baltimore Turnpike (modern day US 1) and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line made the land attractive for development. In the years following the Civil War, Hyatt and other local landowners subdivided their properties and sold lots, and the population of Hyattsville grew. Hyattsville was incorporated as a city on April 7, 1886.
The historic district of the city is home to a number of Victorian houses built in the late 1880s and Sears bungalows and Arts & Crafts houses built between the wars (late 1910s and early 1940s). Historic Hyattsville is roughly bounded by East West Highway to the north; Route 1 to the east; the 38th Street Neighborhood Park to the south, and Queens Chapel Road to the west.
Maps Hyattsville, Maryland
Town description
The City of Hyattsville consists of six subdivisions; Hyattsville Hills, Downtown Hyattsville, Kirkwood, Queens Chapel Manor, Castle Manor, and University Hills. Historic Hyattsville reportedly consists of the Hyattsville Hills, Downtown Hyattsville, and Castle Manor subdivisions.
Queens Chapel Manor neighborhood
Neighborhood character
The Queens Chapel Manor neighborhood is contained between Ager Road to the south, East West Highway to the north, Queens Chapel Road to the east, and the Northwest Branch Anacostia River to the west. The neighborhood mainly consists of old, small red brick houses. In addition to these small houses, Queens Chapel Manor consists of four main apartment complexes; the Mosaic at Prince George's Plaza Metro Apartments, the Ager Road Station Apartments, Madison Park Apartments, and Hamilton Manor Apartments.
Public transportation
As far as transportation goes, the Queens Chapel Manor neighborhood is primarily served by the Prince Georges Plaza Metro Station, which is conveniently located inside its neighborhood parameters. Residents do also, however, have easy access to the West Hyattsville Metro Station in the adjacent Kirkwood neighborhood, right across Ager Road.
Commerce
The neighborhood is primarily served by the Queens Chapel Town Center, the Shoppes at Prince Georges Plaza Metro Station, a Giant Food Store on East West Highway, Jerry's Restaurant on East West Highway, and a Home Depot Store on East West Highway, in terms of commerce. Residents also have additional access to shopping at the Prince Georges Plaza Shopping Center and University Town Center in the adjacent University Hills neighborhood.
Parks and recreation
In terms of recreation, the Queens Chapel Manor neighborhood is served by the Heurich Neighborhood Park. The Northwest Anacostia Trail passes through it. Metro's Green Line tracks go through Heurich Park and the Madison Park Apartments, in the Queens Chapel Manor neighborhood when going between the Prince George's Plaza and West Hyattsville Metro Stations.
Places of worship
Churches include the Redeemer Lutheran Church, First United Church, St. Matthew's Day Parish School, the West Hyattsville Baptist Church, and St. Jerome's Catholic Church.
University Hills neighborhood
Neighborhood character
The University Hills neighborhood is contained between East West Highway to the south, University Boulevard to the north, the Northwest Branch Anacostia River to the west, and Adelphi Road to the east. The University Hills neighborhood is southwest of the University of Maryland College Park campus, west of University Park, and north of University Town Center and The Mall at Prince Georges, which are often considered part of University Hills. Several large apartment blocks are in the area surrounding the Mall at Prince Georges, most of which are not within the city limits. The Hyattsville Branch Library with its iconic Googie flying saucer entrance and Northwestern High School are also located in University Hills.
Public transportation
University Hills does not have its own metro station. However, residents of the University Hills neighborhood, have nearby access to the Prince George's Plaza Metro Station in the adjacent Queens Chapel Manor neighborhood. Fortunately, though, residents of the Highview Apartment Complex, Dean Manor Apartments, Belcrest Plaza Apartments, and University Hills neighborhood, all have unique access to the special metrobus R4 shuttle that runs from these apartment complexes to the Prince Georges Plaza, West Hyattsville, and Brookland-CUA Metro stations. In addition to the R4 metrobus service, residents also have access to three other metrobus routes on Adelphi Road, two other metrobus routes at the corner of University Boulevard and Adelphi Road (behind the Graduate Hills Apartments), and another metrobus route on Toledo Terrace. Additionally, University of Maryland College Park students and faculty have access to the free UM Shuttle that goes from University Hills to the University of Maryland College Park Campus.
Parks and recreation
For recreation, University Hills has the Duck Pond Neighborhood Park. The park consists of a medium sized pond facing University Boulevard as well as a small playground. The park is also connected by the Northwest Branch Anacostia River trail, which connects this park to the bigger Lake Manor Park across the Anacostia River in the neighborhood of Lewisdale.
Historic house
Hitching Post Hill (also known as Ash Hill); listed on National Register of Historic Places on September 16, 1977
Kirkwood neighborhood
Kirkwood is a tiny neighborhood contained between the Northwest Branch Anacostia River to the south and west, Queens Chapel Road to the east, and Ager Road to the north. It neighbors the communities of Avondale, Green Meadows, and Queens Chapel Manor. The Kirkwood neighborhood is mainly occupied by the Kirkwood Apartment Complex, Kirkwood Neighborhood Park, and West Hyattsville Metro Station.
Commerce
Unfortunately, in terms of shopping and education, Kirkwood residents have to rely on other adjacent communities.
Parks and recreation
Interestingly, the Kirkwood neighborhood has two trails that go though the Kirkwood neighborhood park; the Northwest Branch trail and Sligo Creek Trail. The Kirkwood Neighborhood Park, itself, consists of a small basketball court, big soccer field, a picnic area, and small playground.
Historic Hyattsville (The Main/ Original Hyattsville)
Neighborhood character
Historic Hyattsville consists of the four main/ oldest subdivisions that made up the original Hyattsville; Downtown Hyattsville, Ellaville, Hyattsville Hills, and Castle Manor. This neighborhood mainly features small one to two story houses as well as several apartment complexes; such as the Queensbury Park Apartments, Oliver Gardens Apartments, Courtyard Park Apartments, Hyattsville House Apartments, Park Place Apartments, Castle Manor Apartments, Prince Georges Apartments, Top of the Park Apartments, The Oglethorpe A Condominiums, and the newly constructed Hyattsville Arts District Apartments. Historic Hyattsville also uniquely features the Independent Court Assisted Living Homes on Queens Chapel Road for the elderly and disabled to live and be taken care of. Historic Hyattsville also features a courthouse on Rhode Island Avenue (Route 1).
Commerce
Residents of the Historic Hyattsville neighborhood primarily shop in the Hyattsville Arts District located in Downtown Hyattsville on Route 1. The Hyattsville Arts district was built in late 2011 and consists of a Yes! Organic Grocery Store, Busboys & Poets Restaurant, Chipotle Mexican Grill Restaurant, and Hair Cuttery. Behind Route 1 in Downtown Hyattsville are where the former B&O Railroad tracks are located. These tracks in Hyattsville were once part of the B&O Hyattsville Rail Station. The station was eventually destroyed and those tracks were used by the historic 82 streetcar line, which traveled from West Potomac Park to Branchville. Now, the train tracks are used by cargo trains. Next to the Hyattsville Arts District is where the longtime Franklin Restaurant Bar & General Store is located. The few other places that residents of Historic Hyattsville have to shop are Sammy's Chinese Carryout, Brenda Lee's Hair Stylist Store/ Barber Shop, Mina Wash Laundromat, Surf n' Suds Laundromat, and Bestway Supermarket. The Bestway Supermarket took over the former Safeway Food & Drug store's spot on Hamilton Street when it closed its doors on February 4, 2012. The Safeway Food & Drug Store had reportedly been operating in Historic Hyattsville for nearly a century. Lastly, if residents want to shop at a much larger shopping mall, they have access to the Prince George's Plaza Shopping Center in the University Hills neighborhood.
Public transportation
Unfortunately in terms of transportation, Historic Hyattsville does not have a direct metro station in its neighborhood. However, residents have access to the Prince George's Plaza Metro Station in the Queens Chapel Manor neighborhood and the West Hyattsville Metro Station in the Kirkwood neighborhood. Additionally, if residents of Historic Hyattsville are willing to bear a little bit of a longer commute to the District of Columbia, they have access to the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station. In addition to metrorail service, residents of Historic Hyattsville have access to the nearby Riverdale Marc Train station, as well as a few metrobus and "The Bus" routes. Students and staff at the University of Maryland College Park have access to the free Shuttle UM Bus that goes from Historic Hyattsville to the University of Maryland College Park Campus.
Parks and recreation
In terms of recreation, Historic Hyattsville has five neighborhood parks; Deitz Park, Hyatt Park, Robert J. Memorial Park, the 38th Avenue Neighborhood Park, Melrose Park, and Magruder Park. Magruder Park is Historic Hyattsville's main park. It consists of a recreation center, pool, playground, basketball courts, and soccer field.
Geography
Hyattsville is located at 38°57?25?N 76°57?5?W (38.956910, -76.951270).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.70 square miles (6.99 km2), of which, 2.67 square miles (6.92 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) is water.
Climate
Typical of central Maryland, Hyattsville lies within the humid subtropical climate zone (Köppen: Cfa), characterized by hot humid summers and generally cool to mild winters, with high annual precipitation. Hyattsville lies within USDA plant hardiness zone 7a.
Demographics
Hyattsville has attracted a significant gay and lesbian population. In 2000, same-sex couples accounted for 1.3 percent of households, more than double the national average.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 17,557 people, 6,324 households, and 3,724 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,575.7 inhabitants per square mile (2,538.9/km2). There were 6,837 housing units at an average density of 2,560.7 per square mile (988.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 33.2% White, 35.6% African American, 0.8% Native American, 4.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 21.4% from other races, and 4.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 34.0% of the population (16.4% Salvadorean, 4.1% Mexican, 3.1% Guatemalan, 1.2% Honduran, 1.1% Dominican, 0.8% Puerto Rican).
There were 6,324 households of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.4% were married couples living together, 15.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.1% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.39.
The median age in the city was 32.1 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 34.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.2% were from 45 to 64; and 7.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.8% male and 49.2% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,733 people, 5,540 households, and 3,368 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,885.9 people per square mile (2,658.2/km²). There were 5,795 housing units at an average density of 2,708.5 per square mile (1,045.5/km²). The ethnic makeup of the city was 41.03% African American, 39.53% White, 18.14% Hispanic or Latino 0.50% Native American, 4.02% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 10.91% from other races, and 3.98% from two or more races.
There were 5,540 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.3% were married couples living together, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the city, the population was spread out with 24.2% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,355, and the median income for a family was $51,625. Males had a median income of $33,163 versus $31,088 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,152. About 7.9% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
Historic sites
The following is a list of historic sites in Hyattsville identified by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission: In 1982, a portion of the city was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Hyattsville Historic District; the district was extended in late 2004.
Public art
Various public artwork sculptures, murals, and mosaics have been commissioned throughout the City of Hyattsville, thanks to Prince George's Art in Public Places Program, M-NCPPC's Department of Parks and Recreation, the Hyattsville CDC and the Prince George's Arts & Humanities Council. A full Public Art Locator is located on HyattsvilleCDC.org.
Arts District
Downtown Hyattsville is also undergoing revitalization as part of the Gateway Arts District, in the form of the Arts District Hyattsville private development project, which includes townhomes, live-work units, and retail space. The master developer of the 25-acre neighborhood is Bethesda-based EYA. The "economic development town center" of the arts district, the development is being constructed by EYA, Pulte Homes, StreetSense, and Bozzuto Homes. A Busboys and Poets restaurant opened in July 2011; other retail offerings include Yes! Organic Market, Elevation Burger, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Spice 6 Modern Indian, and Tara Thai. In the winter of 2015, a traveling exhibition platform Visual Collaborative collaborated with the Arts District Hyattsville Master Association, utilizing the Lustine Center to host a group exhibition themed Vanity.
Government
When first incorporated, Hyattsville was run by a Board of Commissioners; in May 1900, it switched to a mayor and common council system. Today, the city government consists of a popularly elected mayor and a ten-person city council. Each of the five wards in the city are represented by two popularly elected councilmen.
In January 2015, the Hyattsville Council passed a charter amendment to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in city elections, making Hyattsville one of the few jurisdictions in the United States that has done so. In December 2016, the city expanded voting rights again, granting non-citizen residents the right to vote in municipal elections.
Revitalization projects
The city has undergone a major redevelopment over the last decade, including residential and retail development in the Arts District Hyattsville private development (located in the Gateway Arts District), and the area surrounding Prince George's Plaza.
One new major development was the University Town Center, which is located across Belcrest Road from The Mall at Prince Georges. It was opened at the beginning of the year of 2007. UTC contains residential condos, student housing, office buildings, a public plaza, and retail space, including a 14-screen movie theater and several restaurants. The location is popular with university students, due to its close proximity to the University of Maryland, College Park, University of Maryland, University College, and Prince George's Community College. There is also a bus stop located just outside the residential apartments, which services not only local county and city transit systems, but also several university shuttles, including the University of Maryland and Howard University.
The National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, is headquartered in Hyattsville and located at University Town Center.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
Hyattsville Elementary, Felegy Elementary, Hyattsville Middle, and Northwestern High School, along with the Chelsea School, St. Matthews, DeMatha, and St. Jerome Academy are located within the city limits.
Public schools
The city is served by Prince George's County Public Schools, and its borders overlap with the enrollment areas for the following public schools:
- Hyattsville Elementary School
- Edward M. Felegy Elementary School
- Rosa Parks Elementary School
- University Park Elementary School
- Rogers Heights Elementary School
- Hyattsville Middle School
- Nicholas Orem Middle School
- William Wirt Middle School
- Northwestern High School
- Bladensburg High School
Private schools
- Chelsea School (5-12) for students with language-based learning disabilities and ADD/ADHD
- DeMatha Catholic High School (9-12)
- St. Francis International School (Catholic) (K-8) (St. Mark the Evangelist Campus) -- primarily used for summer programs and athletics
- St. Jerome Academy (Catholic) (Pre-K-8)
- St. Matthew's Parish Day School (Episcopal) (Pre-K-K)
Prince George's Community College has an extension center in University Town Center, and Prince George's County Memorial Library System operates the Hyattsville Branch Library.
In popular culture
The city of Hyattsville has expressed concern that crime in non-Hyattsville locations sharing the same ZIP codes and unincorporated communities designated as "Hyattsville" by the United States Postal Service creates an image problem for the city. The city was involved in a minor controversy in April 2006. In the episode airing April 27, the Geena Davis television series Commander in Chief depicted Hyattsville as having the highest murder rate in the United States; it also indirectly depicted the city as being an urban ghetto dominated by poor minorities. The city and Prince George's County were very upset at ABC. On May 1, ABC formally apologized to both the city and county.
The violent crime rate per 1,000 residents has significantly decreased, from 11.42 in 2007 to 5.59 in 2012.
Notable people
- Valentina Amour, reality television star of Bad Girls Club: Atlanta
- Joanne C. Benson, Maryland State Senator (District 24)
- Bill Butler, former Major League Baseball player
- Parris Glendening, governor of Maryland from 1995-2003, began his political career as a member of Hyattsville City Council
- Anne Healey, Maryland House of Delegates (District 22)
- Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets
- John C. Mather, Nobel laureate in Physics
- Dorothy Hope Smith, illustrator of the famous Gerber Baby
- Alonzo T. Washington, Maryland House of Delegates (District 22)
- Paul Rabil, Major League Lacrosse player
- Frances Tiafoe, American Tennis player
- Markelle Fultz, NBA Baskestball player for the Philadelphia 76ers
References
External links
- Official website
- Route 1 Communities: Hyattsville
- Prince George's County Census Incorporated Places and Census Designated Places
- Maryland Municipal League: Hyattsville
- Hyattsville Preservation Association
- Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department
- Hyattsville Community Development Corporation
Source of article : Wikipedia