| Bowie's Allen Pond has long history as recreation site By CHUCK MACDONALD, For the Guidebook
Several contemporaries of Allen speak highly of his generosity. Joseph V. Proctor was a sharecropper on the Allen land for about 10 years. He recalled many occasions when Allen gave money to people in need. The only requirement was that the money not be spent on liquor. Allen's son, Lloyd, recalls when the country store was at the center of community life. When the local store in Mitchellville was suffering financially, Lloyd's father dug deep into his own pocket to keep the store going so it could serve the community. In addition to his work as a farmer, Allen was involved in conservation efforts for the area. After the Dust Bowl focused attention on the need for conservation efforts, Maryland recognized the need for soil conservation. Allen was the first to receive technical pond assistance from the newly established USA-Soil Conservation Service. Officials believe that this helped "sell" conservation to others in the farm community and to establish soil conservation districts across the county. Allen stepped up to represent his district, which included Bowie, as a member of the Prince George's County Soil Conservation District from 1962 to 1965. The first residents of the Levitt housing development in Bowie moved into their homes in October 1961. By February 1962, Levitt had sold more than 1,000 houses. Allen and the other members of the board gave guidance for this development by providing for the conservation of the soil, water and related resources and for the prevention of soil erosion in order to preserve natural resources. In addition to his own farming, Allen was a director in the Southern Maryland Tobacco Corporation and Prince George's County Farm Bureau. He was also a founding member of the Prince George's County Game and Fish Conservation Association. In May 1965, Allen sold his farm to the Levitt company, pleading with the builder to keep the pond as a recreational site for the community. The company agreed. Four years later the city of Bowie gained control of the pond and the park for use by the residents of Bowie. As part of Allen's original sale of the property, he donated three acres to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness. A church was built on the site in 1980. After selling the property, Allen moved to Kennedyville on the Eastern Shore where he purchased a 487-acre farm. Lloyd cultivated the farm, growing corn, wheat and soybeans. James H. Allen lived on the farm until his death May 11, 1978. Allen was elected to the Bowie Hall of Honor in 2000 and a plaque bears his name at City Hall. Story compiled from documents obtained at Bowie City Hall. Published 03/17/05, Copyright © 2005 The Bowie Blade Learn more about Bowie!
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The puffy clouds drifted overhead as groups of people enjoyed weekend picnic lunches as they overlooked Allen Pond. Children bounced around the group as indulgent adults looked on.
