In 1870, Laurel Factory, as the town was known then, was a thriving community of more than 1,000 residents. The 2000 Census is expected to confirm that there are now more than 21,000 residents in the City of Laurel.

A vibrant municipality at the center of the Baltimore-Washington Corridor, Laurel offers its residents a metropolitan community with a “home town” atmosphere. The area is comprised of portions of Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties, although the city proper lies wholly within Prince George’s County.

Some of the images in Laurel’s official seal represent notable historic associations that Laurel has enjoyed over the years. A horse represents the “Laurel Four County Fair,” which opened for the first time in 1911 and has been in continuous operation since then as a thoroughbred racetrack known today as Laurel Park. A lion and fleur-de-lis element is taken from the Prince George’s County seal. A knight in armor represents the longtime military presence of Fort George G. Meade and the National Security Agency nearby.

Laurel’s Historic District includes a Main Street with a variety of architecturally unique shops, businesses, and homes. At the western end is the 1830s Laurel Museum; at the eastern end is the 1884 railroad station. There are churches, specialty shops, a river-front park, and many other amenities in between. Also, once a year, there is the Main Street Festival, one of the notable events that have long been part of Laurel’s life.

The 1811 grist mill/cotton mill that gave Laurel its earlier name was destroyed by fire in 1855. It was immediately rebuilt and continued in use until the 1940s. Its resilience is reflected in Laurel’s ability to thrive by keeping pace with shifting economies and opportunities.