Beltsville Wedding

Beltsville is a census-designated place (CDP) in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The population was 15,691 at the 2000 census.

Miles to Washington, DC 17.45

Beltsville's rich history dates back to 1649, when the land was part of an 80,000 acre land grant given to Richard Snowden I by Lord Baltimore of England. Snowden and his family were planters who established large plantations on which they built comfortable manor homes. Soon after, other settlers also moved into the area, but they were farmers who could only afford a few acres of land and whose families lived in small cabins. The principal crop was tobacco, most of which was shipped to England. Because of the fertile soil and desirable growing conditions, the crops prospered.

Industry came to Beltsville in the early 1700's when iron ore was discovered in the area. The Muirkirk Iron Furnace on U.S. Route 1 was established by Andrew and Elias Elliott, who learned their iron-making skills in Muirkirk, Scotland. They produced some of the best-quality pig iron in the country and supplied the U.S. Army with cannons, shot, wheels, and other iron products during both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.