Did you know …

The Maryland towns of Bowie and Odenton are share a namesake, Oden Bowie.  Bowie was a successful businessman who had helped organize the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company.  After a few years of success the B&P was eventually swallowed by the PRR in the late 1800s.  Bowie eventually elft the railroad to serve as governor of Maryland from 1869 to 1872.

Both Bowie and Odenton are well-known local rail stops, ones originally serviced by the B&P and now serviced by MARC trains running over Amtrak rails running along the Northeast Corridor.

Of course, no Maryland history story would be complete without a connection to Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore.  Bowie’s wife, Alice Carter, was related (through her mother) to George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore, father of Cecilius.

This will likely fleshed out later, but it’s a start.  Better research might help, too, especially since I read elsewhere that while Odenton is definitely for Oden himself, whereas Bowie was or may not be named more for his family (and specifically, a father or son).

Aren’t you glad you asked?

 (Originally stared August 31, 2009, at 12:54pm, and eventually posted nearly a year later.  Better late than never.)