Cheverly's Springs

Cheverly's Springs

Springs were a common feature in Prince George’s County. According to the 1911 Maryland Geological Survey, “From these springs many of the inhabitants obtain their entire supply of water, which is usually of excellent character.”

Magruder Spring, formerly Cheverly Spring

The spring was the main source of drinking water for the Mount Hope plantation (1839) and for early Cheverly residents. In the 1920s it was reached by steps from Cheverly Avenue. It was rebuilt in 1981 by Pinkey Oden following a 1920s photo. Magruder Spring was named a Maryland Historic Site for its possible connection with the Battle of Bladensburg. The Town of Cheverly and community groups are working on improved access and restoration.

Green Frog (lithobates clamitans), a denizen of springs, in Magruder Spring, November 2010, after the spring had been cleaned out. Photo Matt T. Salo.

Access: From Cheverly Avenue near Arbor St.

Crawford’s Adventure Spring

Planned as the central feature of the Crawford’s Adventure subdivision (1901), and as the center of a small park in plans for Section 7 of Cheverly (1926), this spring is in Cheverly Nature Park and feeds a tributary to Quincy Run. Crawford’s Adventure Spring was named a Maryland Historic Site for its possible connection with the Battle of Bladensburg.

Access: Bushwhacking by foot through the park.

“Darnall’s Spring”

First mentioned in a deed of 1885, in which Henry W. Darnall “reserv[ed] the right to use the spring and to protect the shade trees surrounding said spring for the space of twenty-five feet,” this spring provided drinking water for Cheverly residents into the 1950s. The spring runs into “Millbrook wetland” on Cheverly town buffer property.

Photo Matt T. Salo

Access: Bushwhacking by foot.

“Cheverly Entrance Spring”

In 1926 a spring located in Landover Road was piped to a newly constructed fountain at the northern end of Cheverly Avenue to provide drinking water. The spring was covered up when Landover Road was paved, and the fountain was removed with the widening of Landover Road in the 1950s.

“Gast Park Spring” (unconfirmed)

PG Atlas traces Cheverly Section 3 to a tract called The Great Hall. The 1748 patent refers to the “Head Spring of the Great Marsh” near the southern point of that tract.