Piney Point, Maryland
Census-designated place
Piney Point, in the 1950s or earlier
Piney Point, in the 1950s or earlier
Piney Point, Maryland is located in Maryland
Piney Point, Maryland
Piney Point, Maryland
Piney Point, Maryland is located in the United States
Piney Point, Maryland
Piney Point, Maryland
Coordinates: 38°08′32″N 76°30′27″W / 38.14222°N 76.50750°W / 38.14222; -76.50750
CountryUnited States
StateMaryland
Area
[1]
 • Total1.88 sq mi (4.87 km2)
 • Land1.53 sq mi (3.96 km2)
 • Water0.35 sq mi (0.90 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total980
 • Density640.10/sq mi (247.18/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Area code(s)240 & 301
FIPS code24-61875
GNIS feature ID594876[2]

Piney Point (also known simply as "The Point"[2]), is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in St. Mary's County, Maryland, United States. It is known for the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education, houses along the beach, a lighthouse, and a museum. The Piney Point post office also serves St. George Island, which is connected to Piney Point by a short bridge.[2]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
2020980—
U.S. Decennial Census[3]

History

The scenic environment of Piney Point continues to be the summer getaway of many Washington D.C. notables. Named after the long-leaf yellow and loblolly pines lining the shores of the Potomac River, the Point provided a nature retreat for Presidents James Monroe, Franklin Pierce and Teddy Roosevelt. A number of other Capital figures such as Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun and Daniel Webster were frequent visitors to the Piney Point Hotel, which was shut down after a hurricane in 1933.[4]

In the early 1940s Piney Point was also home to the U.S. Navy Torpedo Test Range. The Navy base was situated on the property, which is now the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training. The small cottage-type homes located across from the maritime school were originally housing for Navy enlisted men and their families. The two-story homes along Stark Drive served as housing for Navy officers. The Navy base included a hospital, bowling alley, motor pool, and ships' dock. Many of the unmarried Navy members lived on large ships anchored in St. George Creek.

References

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Piney Point, Maryland
  3. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  4. ^ "Piney Point Lighthouse". LighthouseFriends. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
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