Indian Head, Maryland

Indian Head, Maryland
Town
Flag of Indian Head, Maryland
Flag
Official seal of Indian Head, Maryland
Seal
Location of Indian Head, Maryland
Location of Indian Head, Maryland
Coordinates: 38°35′52″N 77°9′25″W / 38.59778°N 77.15694°W / 38.59778; -77.15694
Country United States of America
State Maryland
CountyCharles
Incorporated1920[1]
Government
 • MayorBrandon Paulin
Area
[2]
 • Total
1.23 sq mi (3.19 km2)
 • Land1.23 sq mi (3.19 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
105 ft (32 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
3,894
 • Density3,165.85/sq mi (1,222.53/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
20640
Area code301, 240
FIPS code24-41500
GNIS feature ID0590532
Websitewww.townofindianhead.org

Indian Head is a town in Charles County, Maryland, United States. The population was 3,894 at the 2020 U.S. Census.[3] It has been the site of a naval base specializing in gun and rocket propellants since 1890.[4] Production of nitrocellulose and smokeless powder began at the Indian Head Powder Factory in 1900.[5] The name of the base has varied over the years from Indian Head Proving Ground, to Naval Powder Factory, to Naval Propellant Plant, to Naval Ordnance Station, to the present Naval Support Facility Indian Head. The facility's main tenant activity is the Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC/IH). Advanced research in energetic systems takes place at NSWC/IH. NSWC/IH absorbed the function of the closed Naval Ordnance Laboratory, formerly in White Oak. The base currently employs 3,700 people.[citation needed]

  1. ^ "Indian Head". Maryland Manual. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  2. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  3. ^ "Indian Head town, Maryland, Virginia". United States Census Bureau.
  4. ^ "Indian Head Proving Ground; Where Uncle Sam Tests His Big Guns and Armor Plate". The New York Times. April 15, 1894. Retrieved January 20, 2008.
  5. ^ Worden, Edward C., Nitrocellulose industry: a compendium of the history, chemistry, manufacture, D. Van Nostrand Co., 1911.