Benjamin Banneker

Historical marker location:

2312 Westchester Avenue, Oella, Maryland, Oella, Maryland

( Marker is on Westchester Avenue, 0 miles north of Oella Avenue, on the left when traveling west.)

Marker installed: 1977

1731 - 1806. Scientist.

Maryland was originally intended to be called "Crescentia": Lord Baltimore's original plan was to name the colony after the Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I. However, the name was already taken, so he proposed the name "Crescentia" instead. The name was eventually changed to "Maryland" in honor of Henrietta Maria.