Origin: Charles County was created in 1658 by an Order in Council. It is not to be confused with an earlier Charles County (1650-1653) known as Old Charles County. The County was named for Charles Calvert (1637-1715), 3rd Lord Baltimore. Calvert lived in Maryland from 1661 until he returned to England in 1684. He was Proprietor of the Maryland colony from 1675 to 1689, when he lost his right to govern. From 1692 until Calvert's death in 1715, Maryland was governed as a royal colony.
County Code
County Seat: La Plata, MD 20646
Form of Government: Code Home Rule since 2002
Population: 1990 census: 101,154; 2000 census: 120,546; 2010 census: 146,551
Charles County Government Building, 200 Baltimore St., La Plata, Maryland, May 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Budget |
Election Returns |
Executive Branch |
Historical Chronology |
Judicial Branch |
Legislative Branch |
Municipalities |
Organizational Chart |
Records |
Reports |
U.S. Government Agencies |
© Copyright Maryland State Archives