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The road to Darnestown (Route 28 today) is one of the oldest roads in Montgomery County and dates to the 1600s, when it was used by the Seneca Indians as a trail. Darnestown, located at the intersection of Darnestown Road and Seneca Road, thrived as a vibrant trading post along the C&O Canal and saw troop encampments throughout the Civil War. At the turn of the century, Seneca Road led to the sandstone mill and the C&O Canal at Seneca Village. From Darnestown one could travel either by stagecoach along Darnestown Road or board a packet boat on the canal at Seneca.
The road to Darnestown (Route 28 today) is one of the oldest roads in Montgomery County and dates to the 1600s, when it was used by the Seneca Indians as a trail. Darnestown, located at the intersection of Darnestown Road and Seneca Road, thrived as a vibrant trading post along the C&O Canal and saw troop encampments throughout the Civil War. At the turn of the century, Seneca Road led to the sandstone mill and the C&O Canal at Seneca Village. From Darnestown one could travel either by stagecoach along Darnestown Road or board a packet boat on the canal at Seneca.
Looking east toward Darnestown, c. 1905, from "First Hill," one of three hills that one had to cross to reach "Pleasant Hills."
Today, the large field is the site of Harris Teeter parking lot. Google Map Link
Darnestown Road looking east toward the Seneca Road intersection, 1905
Today, this intersection is characterized by commercial businesses on all corners. Google Map Link
This 1905 photograph was taken just outside of Darnestown facing west toward Dawsonville and Poolesville.
Roads are apparently much straighter than they used to be. Google Map Link
Darnestown Residents
Darnestown Residents
The house in the right foreground of the vintage photograph was owned by the Griffith family at the turn of the century. Probably the oldest house in Darnestown, it had been an integral part of the town since 1820, when it was built by the town's first wheelwright. The house had also served as a tavern, twice as a general store, as the town's post office, and as a polling place.
The house in the right foreground of the vintage photograph was owned by the Griffith family at the turn of the century. Probably the oldest house in Darnestown, it had been an integral part of the town since 1820, when it was built by the town's first wheelwright. The house had also served as a tavern, twice as a general store, as the town's post office, and as a polling place.
Darnestown Road looking west, 1905. Griffith house in foreground. The house was demolished in April, 1987.
Today: the Griffith house once stood where the sidewalk ends. Google Map Link
James S. Windsor operated a general store out of his house on the southwest corner of Darnestown and Seneca Roads, one of three country stores in town. Constructed around 1879, the building also served as the post office until 1911. During the 1800s, mail arrived three times a week by stagecoach from Rockville.
James S. Windsor operated a general store out of his house on the southwest corner of Darnestown and Seneca Roads, one of three country stores in town. Constructed around 1879, the building also served as the post office until 1911. During the 1800s, mail arrived three times a week by stagecoach from Rockville.
Windsor's Store, c. 1920s. The entire building burned to the ground in 1971.
Today, a 6-Twelve Convenient Mart sits on the site. Google Map Link
Philip Reed (1845-1918), father of Lewis Reed, was an early Darnestown settler who relocated from the Poolesville area in 1880. Philip purchased 12 acres of land west of Seneca Road from James Windsor and built his house in 1892. He also operated a blacksmith, wheelwright, and cabinet making business next to his home.
Philip Reed (1845-1918), father of Lewis Reed, was an early Darnestown settler who relocated from the Poolesville area in 1880. Philip purchased 12 acres of land west of Seneca Road from James Windsor and built his house in 1892. He also operated a blacksmith, wheelwright, and cabinet making business next to his home.
Philip Reed Blacksmith Shop and Farmhouse, 1901
Site of the Reed homestead today. Google Map Link
This house was owned by James Martin Thompson (1825–1902), Lewis Reed’s maternal grandfather. It once stood along Darnestown Road near the intersection of Germantown Road, across from the J. Thomas Kelley Farm (known as "Pleasant Hills").
This house was owned by James Martin Thompson (1825–1902), Lewis Reed’s maternal grandfather. It once stood along Darnestown Road near the intersection of Germantown Road, across from the J. Thomas Kelley Farm (known as "Pleasant Hills").
Martin Thompson House alongside an unpaved Darnestown Road, 1907
Today, Route 28 is a multi-lane divided highway in central Montgomery County. Google Map Link
Darnestown Presbyterian Church and Cemetery
Darnestown Presbyterian Church and Cemetery
In 1855, the Darnestown Presbyterian Church, which is located at the corner of Darnestown and Turkey Foot Roads, was founded when John DuFief donated three acres of land for its construction. The completed church building was dedicated on May 22, 1858. Behind the church building is a large cemetery containing the graves of prominent early families of western Montgomery County, for whom many of the local roads and villages are named.
In 1855, the Darnestown Presbyterian Church, which is located at the corner of Darnestown and Turkey Foot Roads, was founded when John DuFief donated three acres of land for its construction. The completed church building was dedicated on May 22, 1858. Behind the church building is a large cemetery containing the graves of prominent early families of western Montgomery County, for whom many of the local roads and villages are named.
Darnestown Church, surrounded by mature trees, as seen in 1908
The church as it appears today, 2023. Google Map Link
Darnestown Cemetery, 1908
Cemetery in early spring, 2023. Google Map Link
Andrew Small Academy
Andrew Small Academy
In 1869, longtime member of the community and Scottish immigrant Andrew Small left a bequest for the establishment of a school for Darnestown. Named for its benefactor, the Andrew Small Academy was the largest school building in Montgomery County at that time. The building was used as a private educational institution until 1907, then used as a public high school for almost the next 50 years. The building was demolished in 1955 to make way for a new elementary school.
In 1869, longtime member of the community and Scottish immigrant Andrew Small left a bequest for the establishment of a school for Darnestown. Named for its benefactor, the Andrew Small Academy was the largest school building in Montgomery County at that time. The building was used as a private educational institution until 1907, then used as a public high school for almost the next 50 years. The building was demolished in 1955 to make way for a new elementary school.
Andrew Small Academy building in 1908, shortly after it was closed.
Darnestown Elementary School, which replaced the academy building in 1955. Google Map Link
Outside Darnestown
Outside Darnestown
The building in this 1906 photo served as the Quince Orchard General Store, which stood on the northeast corner of Darnestown and Quince Orchard Roads. Previously, the site was occupied for many decades by a schoolhouse, built in 1873 to replace an even older one. That building, originally serving the community's white students, was moved across the road next to Pleasant View Methodist Church to replace the Black school building that burned in 1902. The Pleasant View school still stands across the street from its original location, but the general store pictured here is long gone-- Darnestown Liberty Gas Station at The Shops at Potomac Valley occupies the approximate location today.
The building in this 1906 photo served as the Quince Orchard General Store, which stood on the northeast corner of Darnestown and Quince Orchard Roads. Previously, the site was occupied for many decades by a schoolhouse, built in 1873 to replace an even older one. That building, originally serving the community's white students, was moved across the road next to Pleasant View Methodist Church to replace the Black school building that burned in 1902. The Pleasant View school still stands across the street from its original location, but the general store pictured here is long gone-- Darnestown Liberty Gas Station at The Shops at Potomac Valley occupies the approximate location today.
Quince Orchard General Store, 1906
Site of the store today. Google Map Link
Hunting Hill
Hunting Hill
The area along Darnestown Road between Travilah and Muddy Branch Roads was once a small rural community known as Hunting Hill. The vintage photograph of Darnestown Road looking west shows the Magruder house at the southwest corner of Travilah Road.
The area along Darnestown Road between Travilah and Muddy Branch Roads was once a small rural community known as Hunting Hill. The vintage photograph of Darnestown Road looking west shows the Magruder house at the southwest corner of Travilah Road.
Darnestown Road at Hunting Hill, 1903. A buggy and its occupants can be seen resting under a shade tree.
Today, a Trader Joe’s grocery store dominates the site. Google Map Link
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