1608 

Captain John Smith mapped Prince George's County from the Potomac and Patuxent River Deposit.

1632 

King Charles I of England granted a charter to George Calvert, first Lord of Baltimore, proprietary of Maryland. Before the charter was signed, George died; the grant was issued to his son, Cecilius (Cecil) Calvert.

1634 

First Colonists, led by Cecil's brother, Leonard, landed at St. Clement's Island, settling St. Mary's. 

1650 

Prince George's County is part of Old Charles County. 

1654 

Prince George's County sited along with Calvert County.

1695 

Prince George's County boundaries: Patuxent River, east; Mattawoman Creek, south; Pennsylvania, north; undetermined boundary at Blue Ridge Mountains, west.

1696 

St. George flag officially adopted by Prince George's County; named for Prince George of Denmark, consort of Queen Anne. Following the English custom of dividing land into hundreds, District Heights was in Piscataway hundred.

1732 

Agreement to separate Pennsylvania and Maryland. 

1767 

Mason-Dixon Line established. 

1791 

Act of Assembly: land coded to District of Columbia and Prince George's County as known today. 

1874 

District Heights originally farm land owned by Major Leander P. Williams, purchased as four patented Lord Baltimore tracts known as: "Good Luck", "Magruder's Plains Enlarged", "the Levels", and "Offutt's Adventure". Under grants issued to Lord Baltimore by King Charles I of England, the tracts belonged to Colonel Ninian Beall, Benjamin Berry, and Alexander Magruder. District heights evolved from one of the four patents. 

1925 

Land purchased and formed into District Heights Company by Joseph Tepper, David L. Blanken, Henry Oxenberg, Gilbert Leventhal, Simon Gordon, and Simon Gerber. The land was farmed by Walter and Al Dustin, whose farmhouse stood at 7116 Foster Street.

1925 

Streets laid out first three blocks of Halleck Street and Aztec.

1926 

Drive (72nd Avenue). Approximately 25 homes built prior to 1936, two businesses, a grocery store and filling station, a pump house and water tower to furnish the water and pressure for the City, a sewage system and a free Model T bus service to 17th and Pennsylvania Avenue, S.E.

1934 

Citizen's Association reformed. Created idea to incorporate in order to get back part of gasoline tax for road. Drafted charter. 

1935 

Charter presented to regular session of Maryland General Assembly; presented too late. Revised charter submitted. 

1936

Charter passed at special session of Assembly. Required ratification by referendum of voting district Heights citizen held May 4, 1936 (the official beginning of the City). First election board; first three Commissioners recommended to General Assembly (no remuneration). Town Clerk and Treasurer appointed by Commissioner (salary of $60 a year). By vote, 68 to 26 (total population, 250), community of District Heights became Incorporated Town of District Heights. Police Department consisted of two bailiffs who patrolled on foot.

1937 

First street signs erected. Charter amended; three year terms for Commissioner on board; highest number of votes received serves three years, second highest, two years; lowest, one year. First building permit issued. District Heights Homemakers Club organized for services to the community. 

1938 

First City Christmas tree. Boys and Girls Club sponsored. District Heights Company became Thrifties Homes Inc. 

1939 

Building code changed: Fifteen feet requirement between houses. City planned own trees. 

1941 

First street light at County Road and Gateway Boulevard. The sum of $11 was deposited towards construction of a community center. 

1942 

First District Heights Volunteer Fire Department formed. Speed limit on Marlboro Pike lowered from 50 to m.p.h. 

1944 

Birth of mimeographed City paper, "Spokesman". Fire house erected at current site. 

1946 

Sidewalk built on County road. 

1947 

Street naming contest held. County branch library opened in the basement of the Presbyterian Church on Gateway Blvd. 

1951 

Door to door mail delivery. Post Office request refused. Committee assigned to consider acquiring community center. 

1952 

First police car purchase by City. Police Department serviced by Chief, Sergeant and two Privates. 

1953 

Washington Estates promised District Heights Citizens Association donations of one acre of land to City for community center. Division of City into four Wards. 

1954 

Recreation Council adopted, Town charter drafted. 

1956 

Extensive tree planting on Kipling Pkwy. 

1958 

Zoning battle, District Heights Citizen Association opposes allowing more apartments in City and heavy industry on Walker Mill Road. 

1960 

District Heights is excluded from Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission’s jurisdiction.  

1961 

Widening of Marlboro Pike. Town Association purchases approximately ten acres off Marbury Drive for community center, one acre is donated by Washington Estates. Plans for 25th Anniversary of City. Groundbreaking ceremony for Municipal Center. 

1962 

Municipal Center Dedication. 

1963 

City Seal chosen. 

1966 

District Heights recreation Council runs summer playground instead of County. Part-time dog catcher hired. 

1967 

Charter amended to redistricting City into two wards. Used truck purchased for use as dog catcher truck. 

1968 

Memorial plaque installed at Center. Post Office facility opened in District Heights (next to Royal Cleaners) 

1970 

Bid for garbage and trash removal negotiated. 

1972 

Mayor received Honorary Certificate of Membership from Prince George's County Municipal Association. Italian delicatessen opens up on Marlboro Pike. 71st Avenue becomes Scott Key Drive. 

1973 

County Library Board purchased five acres of land at Silver Hill Road for new library. 

1974 

Ordinance of City codified 

1976 

Rewriting of City Charter

1983 

Cable TV hookup 

1985 

Groundbreaking ceremony for Spaulding library. Bid for City 4'x6' flag and third flagpole at Municipal Center. 

1986 

City's 50th Anniversary 

1987 

Commission grants use of former District Heights Library to Prince George's County Literacy Council 

1988 

Maurice A. Harris appointed as a Commissioner, the first African-African Commissioner. Prince George's County Treasury Department begins collections of city real property taxes. 

1989 

Commission authorizes City's participation in Prince George's County two year pilot recycling program at no cost to the City. 

1990 

Maurice A. Harris elected, first African-American Commissioner elected. City manager hired, Code Enforcement officer hired, city manager resigns. City Commission gives permission to Prince George's County for the installation of a rain gauge on the municipal building to help predict flooding in the South Western Branch. Municipal Park Playground Improvements Dedication (see 2000) 

1991 

New wood bleacher installed in gymnasium. 

1992 

City Charter amended to separate functions of Clerk-Treasurer position into Clerk and Treasurer's functions. 

1993 

Implemented recycling of used motor oil for residents. 

1994 

Walk around track installed, air conditioning of gym, a chipper is purchased and limb collection and free mulch implemented. 

1995 

Deborah K. Denny elected as a Commissioner, First African-American woman elected. Annexation of Lowery Medical Center. Citizen Patrol (CAP) a neighborhood watch program is created. 

1996 

City's 60th anniversary. Annexation of the Wintergreen housing development. Completion of a nature trail by Zeek Holt, eagle Scout Project dedicated to F. Robert Schmidt, who was in scouting for 30 years. Creation of tot lot and renewal of picnic area on municipal building grounds.

1997 

Jack C. Sims. first African-American mayor elected. City certified as "Designated Neighborhood" for development incentives. Instituted police department bike patrols in the city. $32 million renovation and conversion completed of 915 units of the former Hilltop Gardens apartments into 510 modern apartments, after the renovation was completed it became Woodland Springs Apartments. 

1998 

"The Bus" a transportation program at no cost to the city for our community is implemented. Creation of the District Heights Community Development Corporation. Creation of the Mayor's Youth Council. Creation of Mayoral Scholarship Fund. State of the art computer network installed. City newsletter revamped and name changed from "Citygram" to the District Heights Herald". First Homebuyers Fair installed on District Heights Parkway by the District heights Elementary School. An arson fire was started in room 400 in the municipal building, city staff worked out of the Public Works garage to keep the city government operational and the city staff worked out of the Public Works garage to keep the city government operational and the city elections were also held in the Public Works garage to allow the city elections to be conducted. 

1999 

Revision of the City and Code of Ordinances completed and implemented. Municipal parking lot upgrade creating more parking space and updated lighting. Municipal gymnasium lighting upgrade. City first ever bill enacted in Annapolis for Urban Renewal. Entered into a new cable television franchise agreement increasing the City's portion of revenue for the cable television franchise fees received from 2.5% to 5.0%.

2000 

Dedication of the Charles L. Hudson Municipal Playground. Creation of the City's web page. Gymnasium floor refinished. Purchase of a street sweeper. Creation of the Youth Empowerment Group formerly Mayor's Youth Council. Hosted WOW camping experiences for city youth. Hosted "Continue the Dream, Youth Parent Forum" Jimmy A. Bell, Esquire was moderator of this event. Mr. Brian Boykin did a presentation entitled "What to do when you are stopped by a Law Enforcement Officer", graduated in the first graduating class of the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance. 

2001 

65th Anniversary. $300,000 municipal building renovation completed with a ribbon cutting ceremony held on 4/10/01, and time capsule placement to be opened on 4/10/2051. Commissioner’s plaque installed. Equipment installed to televise Commission meetings. A televised community bulletin board implemented. Construction to begin on the city's park/trail $1.2 million project completely funded without city funds. First Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commencement Program held.  

2002

The City purchased a house on Cabot Street for $1 through the HUD Good Neighbor Program. The house was became a part of the City’s Affordable Neighborhood with Great Elegant Living (ANGEL) housing renovation program. The $1.2 million Park Trail Project was completed. Marie Martino resigned as City Clerk after 15 years of service. Tamil Perry was hired as City Clerk and became the first African American to hold the position.

2003

Commissioner Carol D. Johnson elected as Mayor. She became the first African American female to hold the position. The City completed the renovation of its first ANGEL House on Cabot Street. The house was sold for more than $200,000. A new playground was installed in the Marbury Court Townhomes subdivision. James L. Walls, Jr. was elected to the City Commission at the age of 25. The City purchased two new leaf machines and a new 1 ton F-350 dump truck to replace the 1991 dump truck that was destroyed by a fire. The City opened a Youth Services Bureau and Margaret McNulty was hired as its Director.

2004

Katherine A. Perez becomes the City’s first female Chief of Police. The City received a 14 passenger bus through a grant from Prince George’s County and began a Call-A-Bus transportation service. Mr. Robert Fraizer was hired as the Call-A-Bus driver. Three new police cruisers were purchased. A new 4-wheel drive Kubota riding lawn tractor was purchased. The City held its first annual District Heights Day celebration and its first annual Jazz & Arts festival. The City received its largest Community Legacy Grant in the amount of $250,000. Lt. John Nesky was promoted to Deputy Chief of Police.

2005

The Recreation Center was renovated to provide more office and storage space, as well as views of the gymnasium. The City hired its first Urban Planner Intern, Samantha Archibald. Gene Lewis was hired as the City Treasurer and later named the City Manager-Treasurer.

The City received a grant from County Executive, Jack Johnson in the amount of $150,000 to purchase new police cruisers and a pick-up truck for the Public Works Department.

2006

James L. Walls Jr. was elected as Mayor at the age of 28. Lee Collins was elected to the City Commission. The City annexed the 6000 through 6200 blocks of Marlboro Pike. The second ANGEL House was purchased (Breton Drive). John Nesky became Chief of Police and Sergeant Wayne Simms was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Tamil Perry became the City Manager and the City Clerk. Dan Baden was rehired as the City Treasurer. Over $1 million in street work was completed throughout the City by Washington Gas after the replacement of gas lines.

2007

The City completed the renovation of Charles Hudson Park playground. Jeffrey Dahn was hired as the Chief of Police. Sergeant Michael March was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. The outdoor tennis court at the municipal building was transformed into an outdoor basketball court. Over 100 street lights were upgraded throughout the City. The renovation of ANGEL House II on Breton Drive was completed. The City’s Youth Service Bureau and Recreation Department sponsored the City’s first college and career fair. City opens new fitness center.