Services
The demand for services such as public utilities, vehicle maintenance, and government agencies grew in the first decades of the 20th century as Montgomery County became more populated. Its emergence as a suburb of Washington, D.C. was not solely the result of improved transportation, though that was a driving factor in the early development of the county. The population of Washington was burgeoning and land speculators saw an opportunity for success in the suburban sphere.
The demand for services such as public utilities, vehicle maintenance, and government agencies grew in the first decades of the 20th century as Montgomery County became more populated. Its emergence as a suburb of Washington, D.C. was not solely the result of improved transportation, though that was a driving factor in the early development of the county. The population of Washington was burgeoning and land speculators saw an opportunity for success in the suburban sphere.
The D.C. Area's First Gulf Gasoline Station, 1915
The D.C. Area's First Gulf Gasoline Station, 1915
With the increase in population and the coming of age of the automobile, service stations began to adorn the roadsides.
With the increase in population and the coming of age of the automobile, service stations began to adorn the roadsides.
The Gulf Oil Corporation was formed in 1907. Rockville Garage (later known as Reed Brothers Dodge) was the first Gulf gasoline dealer in the still-rural Washington, D.C. suburban area. As early as 1915, they became the first to sell Gulf gasoline through the installation of the single curbside gas pump pictured here, located outside their garage at the intersection of Veirs Mill Road and Frederick Road (now Hungerford Drive) in Rockville.
The Gulf Oil Corporation was formed in 1907. Rockville Garage (later known as Reed Brothers Dodge) was the first Gulf gasoline dealer in the still-rural Washington, D.C. suburban area. As early as 1915, they became the first to sell Gulf gasoline through the installation of the single curbside gas pump pictured here, located outside their garage at the intersection of Veirs Mill Road and Frederick Road (now Hungerford Drive) in Rockville.
This image of the Suburban Electrical Company (SECO) shows how it looked in 1914. The upper story of the building was the living quarters of Mr and Mrs B. F. Hicks, who owned the mercantile next door. The SECO building was later acquired by W. Valentine Wilson, who tore it down and replaced it with the “SECO” Theater. The ground floor was made into a moving picture theater. Posters can be seen displayed on the front of the building.
Suburban Electric Power Company (SECO) / Rockville’s First Movie Theater, 1914
Suburban Electric Power Company (SECO) / Rockville’s First Movie Theater, 1914
During the late 19th century, W. Valentine Wilson operated the Suburban Electrical Company (SECO for short) out of this building. When the space was reopened as a movie theater in 1914, the entrepreneurial owner gave it the namesake of the previous tenant, calling it the "SECO Theater."
During the late 19th century, W. Valentine Wilson operated the Suburban Electrical Company (SECO for short) out of this building. When the space was reopened as a movie theater in 1914, the entrepreneurial owner gave it the namesake of the previous tenant, calling it the "SECO Theater."
The earliest ad for this theater is in the Montgomery County Sentinel of October 22, 1915:
The earliest ad for this theater is in the Montgomery County Sentinel of October 22, 1915:
“Shows four times a week – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Our Monday night feature shows are the finest ever exhibited in Rockville and the management will continue to give nothing but the best of film service to the town. On Saturday, October 23, we will feature Sally Crute and Augustus Phillips in a strong three-reel drama entitled, “Her Vocation,” with two other reels of laughter and side-shakes. ... You never waste time by enjoying SECO moving pictures.”
“Shows four times a week – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Our Monday night feature shows are the finest ever exhibited in Rockville and the management will continue to give nothing but the best of film service to the town. On Saturday, October 23, we will feature Sally Crute and Augustus Phillips in a strong three-reel drama entitled, “Her Vocation,” with two other reels of laughter and side-shakes. ... You never waste time by enjoying SECO moving pictures.”
By the mid-1920s, the SECO had moved to 509 Commerce Lane. Sidney Lust took over the operation of this theater between 1931 and 1935 and renamed it the Arcade Theater. He installed a sound system in the Arcade for $2,250 in 1932 but closed it down on April 21, 1935. He opened the new Milo Theater later that year.
By the mid-1920s, the SECO had moved to 509 Commerce Lane. Sidney Lust took over the operation of this theater between 1931 and 1935 and renamed it the Arcade Theater. He installed a sound system in the Arcade for $2,250 in 1932 but closed it down on April 21, 1935. He opened the new Milo Theater later that year.
Pump House at Croydon Park, 1912
Pump House at Croydon Park, 1912
Concern for water quality in the 1880s led to the decision to develop a municipal system. Built in 1897, the pump house, still standing within Croydon Park today, is a significant historical landmark. Once known as the “Rockville Electric Lights & Water Works,” the building was the City’s first public water system and supplier of electricity for street lights and private homes. By 1957 a new water treatment facility opened, drawing water from the Potomac River. With the new plant, the city stopped the use of the wells at the Pump House and renovated the building for the Public Works Department. They remained there until 1962 when the building was slated for demolition. Instead, it was repurposed as a community center, serving as Rockville's first Senior Center for many years. Severely deteriorating by 2009, the structure was completely renovated by the City of Rockville, which received an award from Peerless Rockville for its stewardship of a historic property in 2011.
Concern for water quality in the 1880s led to the decision to develop a municipal system. Built in 1897, the pump house, still standing within Croydon Park today, is a significant historical landmark. Once known as the “Rockville Electric Lights & Water Works,” the building was the City’s first public water system and supplier of electricity for street lights and private homes. By 1957 a new water treatment facility opened, drawing water from the Potomac River. With the new plant, the city stopped the use of the wells at the Pump House and renovated the building for the Public Works Department. They remained there until 1962 when the building was slated for demolition. Instead, it was repurposed as a community center, serving as Rockville's first Senior Center for many years. Severely deteriorating by 2009, the structure was completely renovated by the City of Rockville, which received an award from Peerless Rockville for its stewardship of a historic property in 2011.
Rockville’s First Water Tower, 1906
Rockville’s First Water Tower, 1906
At left, 1906 view of Rockville Maryland’s first pipestem water tower. The Bean family house is in view on left of Water tower
Below: A distant view of the tower
The pipestem tower was another element of Rockville Electric Lights and Water Works, once located on the land known as Croydon Park today. During the 1890s, as Rockville's local population as well as tourist activity was growing, water in the city was still primarily drawn from private wells. Erected in about 1899 at a cost of about $20,000, Rockville's first water tower ushered in the era of local municipal water service. The stand pipe was a typical shape for a water tower at the turn of the century: from this high point, water could be piped throughout the town. The chimney stack originally extended to a height of 50’, as documented in the Sanborn maps of 1908 and 1915.
The pipestem tower was another element of Rockville Electric Lights and Water Works, once located on the land known as Croydon Park today. During the 1890s, as Rockville's local population as well as tourist activity was growing, water in the city was still primarily drawn from private wells. Erected in about 1899 at a cost of about $20,000, Rockville's first water tower ushered in the era of local municipal water service. The stand pipe was a typical shape for a water tower at the turn of the century: from this high point, water could be piped throughout the town. The chimney stack originally extended to a height of 50’, as documented in the Sanborn maps of 1908 and 1915.
Rockville Town Hall, 1912
Rockville Town Hall, 1912
Rockville Town Hall was built in 1881 by citizens seeking to “improve the educational, moral, scientific, literary, and social condition of the community.” Located on East Montgomery Avenue next to Vinson’s Pharmacy, it served as a venue for lectures, concerts, dances, and other community gatherings. In later years the building was used as the headquarters for the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department. It was demolished along with the rest of the buildings on this block in the late 1960s as part of Rockville's Urban Renewal plan.
Rockville Town Hall was built in 1881 by citizens seeking to “improve the educational, moral, scientific, literary, and social condition of the community.” Located on East Montgomery Avenue next to Vinson’s Pharmacy, it served as a venue for lectures, concerts, dances, and other community gatherings. In later years the building was used as the headquarters for the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department. It was demolished along with the rest of the buildings on this block in the late 1960s as part of Rockville's Urban Renewal plan.
Red Brick Courthouse, 1914
Red Brick Courthouse, 1914
The Red Brick Courthouse was not the first courthouse used in Montgomery County, but it is the oldest one standing today. When Montgomery County was established in 1776, a tavern served as the first courthouse when the county seat was located at the rural but central crossroads of what was to become Rockville. A frame structure built in 1840 on this site served as the county's second courthouse for 50 years, until this handsome brick building was built in 1891, known today as the Red Brick Courthouse. It housed all Montgomery County's court functions until 1931, when the Montgomery County Court House (now known as the Grey Courthouse) replaced it as the central circuit court for the county.
The Red Brick Courthouse was not the first courthouse used in Montgomery County, but it is the oldest one standing today. When Montgomery County was established in 1776, a tavern served as the first courthouse when the county seat was located at the rural but central crossroads of what was to become Rockville. A frame structure built in 1840 on this site served as the county's second courthouse for 50 years, until this handsome brick building was built in 1891, known today as the Red Brick Courthouse. It housed all Montgomery County's court functions until 1931, when the Montgomery County Court House (now known as the Grey Courthouse) replaced it as the central circuit court for the county.
During the 1970s, the Red Brick Courthouse was saved from urban renewal demolition and renovated for use as office space for the Sheriff's Department and the Circuit Court. The Judicial Center opened across the street in 1982 and all official court functions moved out of this space at that time, ending nearly a century of continuous judicial use on the site. Today, the Red Brick Courthouse serves as headquarters for Peerless Rockville.
During the 1970s, the Red Brick Courthouse was saved from urban renewal demolition and renovated for use as office space for the Sheriff's Department and the Circuit Court. The Judicial Center opened across the street in 1982 and all official court functions moved out of this space at that time, ending nearly a century of continuous judicial use on the site. Today, the Red Brick Courthouse serves as headquarters for Peerless Rockville.
Thomas & Company Cannery, 1917
Thomas & Company Cannery, 1917
The largest and longest-lived cannery in Montgomery County, the Thomas & Company Cannery operated from 1917 until 1962. Frank and Clyde Thomas were leaders in the 20th century canning industry in Maryland. In 1917, the Thomas family opened a cannery in Gaithersburg, the first in Montgomery County.
The largest and longest-lived cannery in Montgomery County, the Thomas & Company Cannery operated from 1917 until 1962. Frank and Clyde Thomas were leaders in the 20th century canning industry in Maryland. In 1917, the Thomas family opened a cannery in Gaithersburg, the first in Montgomery County.
The factory canned peas, pumpkin and corn, supplied both the local retail market and the war effort during WWI and WWII. During the war years, the cannery expanded operations and functioned on a three-shift schedule to provide vegetables for shipment to troops. After the war, the cannery continued to produce vegetables under the brand names MY-T-NICE, EVER-GOOD, BARBARA FRITCHIE and ON-TOP corn, peas and succotash.
The factory canned peas, pumpkin and corn, supplied both the local retail market and the war effort during WWI and WWII. During the war years, the cannery expanded operations and functioned on a three-shift schedule to provide vegetables for shipment to troops. After the war, the cannery continued to produce vegetables under the brand names MY-T-NICE, EVER-GOOD, BARBARA FRITCHIE and ON-TOP corn, peas and succotash.
At left: Circa 1917 photo taken behind the Thomas & Company Cannery in Gaithersburg.