 Laurel was formed from land on the fall line of the Patuxent River patented by the Snowden family in 1658 as part of the 12,250-acre New Birmingham plantation, which included the later Montpelier.The Washington Turnpike Road Company built Route 1 between 1796 and 1812, creating a major north–south land route.Milstead's Hotel halfway house was built in town to serve four stage lines a day in 1816.