The area was plotted out in 1889, and built out over the next several decades, its developers seeking to attract commuters to Baltimore and Washington, DC, and individuals affiliated with the Maryland Agricultural College (as the school was then known).

Most of the neighborhood is residential, with American Foursquare and Cape Cod style housing predominating.

The major non-residential structures are a Gothic Revival church, a modern post office and Washington Metro station.

[1] Due to the close proximity of Old Town to campus, many fraternity and sorority chapters from University of Maryland own houses in this neighborhood.

This article about a Registered Historic Place in Prince George's County, Maryland is a stub.