Croom, Maryland


Croom is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 2,631. Croom largely consists of former tobacco farms and forests converted to Washington bedroom subdivisions such as nearby Marlton. The main part of Patuxent River Park is in Croom.

History

The community was patented in 1671 as Croome by Christopher Rousby, who had been born circa 1642 in the hamlet of Croome in East Riding, Yorkshire. In August 1814, British forces marched through Croom on their way to the Burning of Washington in the War of 1812.
St. Thomas' Episcopal Church dates to colonial times and was listed on the NRHP in 2000. Other buildings on the National Register of Historic Places located at Croom are the John W. Coffren House and Store, Bellefields, Brookefield of the Berrys, Mattaponi, St. Thomas' Episcopal Parish Historic District, and Waverly.
The Columbia Air Center was located in Croom from 1941-1956. It was among the first African-American owned airports in the United States.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Croom has a total area of, of which is land and, or 3.43%, is water.

Government

District 5 Station in Clinton CDP serves the community.

Education

operates public schools serving the census-designated place.
Elementary schools serving sections of Croom are Baden, Brandywine, Marlton, Mattaponi, and Patuxent. Most areas are zoned to Gwynn Park Middle School, with some zoned to James Madison Middle School and Kettering Middle School. Most areas are zoned to Frederick Douglass High School in Croom, with some areas to the north zoned to Dr. Henry A Wise, Jr. High School and some to the south zoned to Gwynn Park High School.

Notable people