Laurel

Laurel is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, that stretches along the Patuxent River between two larger metropolitan areas. The settlement sits about 165 feet (50 meters) above sea level and covers roughly 4.84 square miles.

A cotton mill founded the riverside settlement in 1835 after the railroad connected the site to regional markets. Official incorporation came in 1870, when the textile industry was already declining and residential neighborhoods began forming.

The downtown area keeps buildings from the textile mill era that now house shops and restaurants. On spring weekends, locals gather for music events and art markets along Main Street.

The school network runs several educational facilities across town and offers contact points for families. Public paths along the river work well for walking, with spring and fall bringing milder temperatures.

A designated area north of downtown holds dinosaur fossils from the Cretaceous period that appear during excavations. Visitors can search for fossilized bones and footprints themselves on certain days.

Location: Prince George's County

Inception: 1870

Elevation above the sea: 50 m

Shares border with: Savage

Address: Laurel, MD, USA

Website: https://cityoflaurel.org

GPS coordinates: 39.09843,-76.84851

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:17