Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Aberdeen Proving Ground is a census-designated place (CDP) in Harford County, Maryland, United States. The population was 9,898 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan Area.

The area that would become Aberdeen Proving Ground was first settled in 1729 by Scots-Irish immigrants who were employed as soldiers and laborers on the British Army's Fort Pitt. The community was originally called Pittsborough after General Edward Braddock's Defeat near the site in 1755. In 1801, when Harford County was formed from parts of Baltimore and Prince George's counties, Pittsborough became part of Aberdeen Township.

In 1917, during World War I, an American Expeditionary Force training camp was established on what is now known as "The proving ground". The army used the area to test new weapons and tactics before deploying them to Europe. After World War I ended, the army abandoned most of its facilities and returned the land to its original agricultural use.

In 1942 during World War II, a military airfield was built adjacent to The proving ground on what is now known as "The airport". During World War II it served as a training base for pilots who were preparing for combat in Europe or Asia. After World War II ended most of the airfield remained undeveloped until 1961 when it became home to Andrews Air Force Base which operated until 2005 when it was closed due to budget cuts .

In 1969 Congress created The proving ground National Historic Site which includes much of the original military training area including Fort Pitt and Andrews Air Force Base . Today much of The proving ground National Historic Site remains undeveloped with only a small portion being developed for civilian use including research laboratories , office buildings , retail stores , housing developments and hotels .

As one of Harford County's largest employers with over 9500 employees , Aberdeen Proving Ground has had a significant impact on both local businesses and residents . With new housing developments being constructed near Research Laboratories , retail stores opening up in shopping centers near Andrews Air Force Base , restaurants opening up throughout Research Laboratories and housing developments expanding into formerly rural areas , Aberdeen Proving Ground has had a significant impact on both local businesses and residents .