From Surrattsville to Suburban Community

Mary Surratt and her husband John built their tavern and home here in 1852, and the community that grew around it bore their name. The tavern served as a gathering place, post office, and – crucially – a safe house for Confederate sympathizers during the Civil War. When John Wilkes Booth fled Washington after shooting President Lincoln on April 14, 1865, he stopped at the Surratt tavern to retrieve rifles and supplies that had been hidden there. Mary Surratt was arrested, tried by military tribunal, and hanged on July 7, 1865, becoming the first woman executed by the United States federal government.

After the assassination, the town understandably wanted distance from the Surratt name, eventually becoming Clinton. The Surratt House Museum now operates in the original tavern building, telling both the story of the assassination conspiracy and everyday life in 19th-century Southern Maryland. The Surratt Society promotes research into the Lincoln assassination, making this a destination for Civil War historians and conspiracy theory enthusiasts alike.

Modern Clinton has grown into a community of roughly 35,000 residents spread across various subdivisions. The character is genuinely suburban – shopping centers along Route 5 (Branch Avenue), established neighborhoods with single-family homes, and the kind of strip-mall commercial development common to this era of Prince George’s County growth.

Louise F. Cosca Regional Park provides 500+ acres of green space including a lake, trails, tennis courts, and camping facilities – significant recreational infrastructure for the community. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs minor league baseball team plays at Regency Furniture Stadium nearby.

The honest assessment: Clinton offers solid suburban housing at reasonable prices, but it lacks distinctive character beyond its historic site. Route 5/Branch Avenue corridor traffic can be challenging. Metro access requires driving to Branch Avenue station. Schools vary in quality. The community serves those seeking affordable suburban living in Southern Prince George’s County, with the bonus of fascinating historical connection for those who appreciate it.