Seabrook, Maryland

Seabrook is a community located in central Maryland (in Prince George's County) about 12 miles east of Washington DC.According to the 2000 census, the population of Lanham-Seabrook (zip code 20706) is 18,190. It is difficult to determine how much of this population resides in Seabrook and how much in Lanham, as there are no distinct geographical or political boundaries for either community.

Seabrook takes its name from Thomas Seabrook, who was a topographical engineer with the Philadelphia Railroad. He originally built three cottages and a park with fenced in tame deer in the area near the rail station [ [http://www.pgparks.com/places/eleganthistoric/seabrook_history.html Seabrook School] ] in the early 1870s. A school was built in 1895.

Most of the more recently built Seabrook (some of which was originally called Seabrook Acres) is a development of red brick homes along the Lanham-Severn Road, now Maryland Route 564 in Maryland, approximately one half mile east of the Capital Beltway. Many of its homes were built in the 1950s to serve the needs of new employees at the newly established NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, which is located immediately to the north. Development of apartment complexes and other large structures has occurred during recent years of developer expansion. However, Seabrook remains a residential area with numerous single homes surrounded by green lawns shaded by century old oak trees.

Seabrook has its own MARC commuter rail station (Seabrook Station). Seabrook residents are served by a large number of small businesses, including restaurants, fast foot eateries, banks, lawyer services, laundry services, veterinary services, car repair, and numerous other businesses which are located at the Seabrook Station. Seabrook shoppers also tend to shop at the supermarkets and stores at Glenn Dale, Maryland, slightly to the east on route 564, or drive east approximately 15 miles to Bowie, Maryland, with its large shopping complexes such as the Bowie Towne Centre.

Lanham, Maryland, an older community, lies to the west on both sides of the Washington Beltway. Within the Lanham-Seabrook area, there is only one post office (20706), located half mile east of Seabrook Station on route 564, which both towns must share. As a result, since the post office has been designated "Lanham" all mail to both the Seabrook and Lanham area is town-designated as "Lanham" or "Lanham-Seabrook."

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