Your Guide to Buying a Home in Waldorf, MD

Buying a Home in Waldorf, Maryland

Waldorf is located in Charles County

Waldorf is either named after the town of Walldorf, Germany, or has a similar derivation: that is, either a German word meaning "forest village," or named after the Waldenses, a 12th Century religious sect. Once a tobacco market village, it came to prominence in the 1950's as a gambling destination after slot machines were legalized in Charles County in 1949. The boom lasted until 1968 when gambling was once again outlawed. Its subsequent substantial growth as a residential community began with a 1970 loan package from the Department of Housing and Urban Development which fueled the giant planned community of St. Charles, south of Waldorf's town center. Sections of St. Charles are still being developed.

Waldorf is predominantly a bedroom community for many residents who commute to work at other points in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, especially personnel at Andrews Air Force Base. Waldorf's work force is primarily the service and sales industry. St. Charles Towne Centre, a major shopping mall, opened in the spring of 1990. St. Charles Towne Centre draws shoppers and diners from Maryland, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia, causing Waldorf to be called the "shopping capital of southern Maryland." Route 301 also boasts the "Waldorf Motor Mile," with car dealerships located primarily along the northbound side. In 2005, Waldorf opened its third public high school ("North Point"), which has advanced science/technology programs; the Capital Clubhouse 24-hour indoor sports complex and ice rink also opened that year. In 2006, plans were announced to build two more shopping centers, including one with high-end stores and an attractive "lifestyle" design layout.

Source: wikipedia.org