The developer of New Carrollton envisioned a completely planned suburban city—a novel idea in the 1950s. He effectively lobbied the Maryland General Assembly to declare his visionary city an incorporated community even before the land was developed or had any residents.

To link the new community to Maryland’s rich heritage, the developer named it after one of the state’s early leaders, John Carroll of Carrollton—a spokesman for the colonies, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and one of the first United States Senators from Maryland. Since its inception, the city has lived up to the high accomplishments of its namesake, growing and flourishing as a city with a lasting sense of community and uniqueness.

During the Civil War, the families living in the area now called New Carrollton had divided sympathies toward the Union and the Confederacy. According to legend, a Confederate soldier was eating an evening meal with his family while home on furlough when a squad of Union soldiers appeared in the woods—they were in search of water it was learned later. The family men took down their guns from the wall, preparing to protect their Confederate kinsman. One nervous family member accidentally discharged his gun—causing the Union soldiers to withdraw with alacrity.

New Carrollton is located within easy access by road to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Annapolis. Convenient commuting to the nation’s capital, Northern Virginia, and parts of Maryland is available via the New Carrollton station of the Metro subway. The Northeast Metroline serves the same station complex, placing railroad access to the entire East Coast at the city’s doorstep.

New Carrollton has a population of 12,800 and covers 1½ square miles. There are 25 miles of residential streets, three elementary schools, one middle school, one special-education school, two shopping centers, and many parks.

New Carrollton has a most responsive form of municipal governance due to its organizational structure. The mayor is the chief executive officer and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the city. With the consent of the city council, the mayor hires a city administrative officer and a public works director, whose staffs are subject to the approval of the mayor. The city council is the legislative body and enacts all ordinances and resolutions. The city provides street maintenance, street lighting, snow removal, twice-weekly trash removal, park and playground maintenance and equipment, beautification of city entrances, and televised council meetings with telephone call-in for residents.