Pictured: A geospatial map depicting residential and commercial developments in Greenbelt. Photo credit: University of Maryland, College Park 2008 report "Connecting Greenbelt Communities," p. 13.
Planning for three "green belt" communities begins under the direction of Rexford Guy Tugwell, head of the New Deal's Resettlement Administration. The "Green Towns" as they've come to be known were intended to create jobs and provide affordable housing to low-income families emerging from the Great Depression.
Over 5,000 families applied to live in Greenbelt. They went through a rigorous screening process, and only 885 families became a part of Roosevelt's experiment in suburban living.
One of two schools located in the city, Greenbelt Middle School serves over 700 students.
With shops, a bank, the co-op grocery store and the movie theater, Roosevelt Center at the center of town became one of the country's first shopping centers. Today, it remains a hub of activity at the center of town.
"The size of the town literally doubled overnight." --Lee Shields This aerial photo of Greenbelt c. 1941 depicts the frame homes were quickly built for the influx of defense workers to the Washington metropolitan area dedicated to fueling the U.S. war machine.
Near the time of the roadway's completion, the government moved several agencies from Washington for fear of nuclear attack on the city and to promote suburbanization. As a result, developments began to appear in Laurel, Bowie, Severn and Greenbelt.
Greenbelt Park is a large swath of green space located directly south of Greenbelt 12 miles from Washington, the park was acquired by the National Park Service in 1950. It features 174 site campground, nine miles of trails and three picnic areas.
Following World War II, the federal government began dismantling its homesteading operations. The towns were listed for sale and in many instances, including Greenbelt, were purchased by the residents.
The Greenbelt Veterans Housing Corporation, a group of Greenbelt residents, pooled their resources and bought their town for $6.4 million. The group was later renamed Greenbelt Housing, Inc.
This development is located in a park-like setting near Greenbelt Lake.
