Editing Bladensburg, Maryland (section)

===1840s–present===
Bladensburg remained a small town throughout the rest of the 19th century with modest development and infrastructure improvements. A major attraction in Bladensburg from the 18th century through the 20th century was the Spa Springs. Thought to be a cure for various illnesses, the springs attracted visitors from throughout the region and was reachable by the [[Washington, Spa Spring and Gretta Railroad]]. Another attraction was the [[Bladensburg Dueling Grounds]] or [[Dueling Creek]], the site of many famous duels until after the [[American Civil War]].

[[File:Camp Casey, near Bladensburg, Md LCCN2001695043.jpg|thumb|Camp Casey near Bladensburg, 1861]]
The town was incorporated in 1854. Schools and churches were constructed, including the first [[Freedmen's Bureau]] school for [[African American]]s in 1866. The town experienced its most significant growth in the early 20th century with the construction of the first two residential sections of the town in 1914 and 1917. Named Decatur Heights, the subdivisions had gridded streets platted on the north and south sides of [[Maryland Route 450|Annapolis Road]]. The town was enlarged again in 1947 by the Sunnybrook subdivision. The mid to late 20th century brought additional residential construction in the form of single-family houses and apartment complexes, as well as the construction of the Bladensburg Shopping Center.<ref name="sha"/> After a history major flooding, the Army Corps of Engineers implemented a flood control system around this time that altered the course of the Anacostia River and added levees.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lib.umd.edu/bladensburg/river|title = The Rise and Fall of the Anacostia in Bladensburg &#124; Bladensburg Rediscovered (Exhibition) &#124; Bladensburg}}</ref>

In 1999, Bladensburg, [[Colmar Manor, Maryland|Colmar Manor]], and [[Cottage City, Maryland|Cottage City]] were lauded by the [[Joint Center for Sustainable Communities]] for their collaboration with Prince George's County for the Port Towns Revitalization Initiative, which created a common ''[[Port Towns]]'' identity for the towns; encouraged businesses development through infrastructure and façade improvements; acquisition of historic properties and plans for their reuse; and reconstruction of the Bladensburg waterfront and marina.{{Citation needed|date=April 2013}}