Embedded Files
Gaithersburg was settled in 1765 as a small agricultural settlement known as Log Town. The town boomed during the late 19th century and churches, schools, a mill, grain elevators, stores, and hotels were built. Much of this development focused around the railroad station, which was active starting in 1873. Today, Gaithersburg continues to grow while retaining many of the qualities of a small town that cherishes its rich, diverse heritage.
Gaithersburg was settled in 1765 as a small agricultural settlement known as Log Town. The town boomed during the late 19th century and churches, schools, a mill, grain elevators, stores, and hotels were built. Much of this development focused around the railroad station, which was active starting in 1873. Today, Gaithersburg continues to grow while retaining many of the qualities of a small town that cherishes its rich, diverse heritage.
Intersection of Diamond Avenue and Summit Avenue
Intersection of Diamond Avenue and Summit Avenue
1911. Belt’s Store (left, just inside frame). Stores on the right from far to near: Charlie Foo’s Laundry, Nicholl’s Harness Shop, Etchison’s Drug Store, First National Bank of Gaithersburg and Jacob Miller’s Livery Stable.
Today, most of the same buildings remain standing near this busy intersection, including the Belt Building (left), and the buildings at right that once housed the harness shop, drug store, and bank (the olive-painted building with its tower minus the peaked roof). Google Map Link
Thomas Hardware
Thomas Hardware
The vintage photo was taken when the first system of water mains and sewers were installed by the WSSC in Gaithersburg between 1926 and 1928. The water pipes to be laid are resting by the side of the road. The prominent building is Thomas's Hardware Store, originally built and operated by Thomas I. Fulks.
The vintage photo was taken when the first system of water mains and sewers were installed by the WSSC in Gaithersburg between 1926 and 1928. The water pipes to be laid are resting by the side of the road. The prominent building is Thomas's Hardware Store, originally built and operated by Thomas I. Fulks.
Thomas Hardware store, 1927. The child on the right is Lewis Reed’s daughter, Mary Jane.
Today, the same building with a brick facade is occupied by Gaithersburg Rental Center at 219 E. Diamond Ave.
Google Map Link
Gaithersburg Station
Gaithersburg Station
Both the original station (1873) and the one standing today are seen in this 1911 photograph. The original station is behind the large tree.
Today, the Gaithersburg Community Museum is located in the restored railroad station complex, and includes the freight house, a history park, and a caboose. Google Map Link
Thomas & Company Cannery
Thomas & Company Cannery
The Thomas & Company Cannery was built in 1917 and provided a much-needed local market for processing the agricultural produce grown in rural Montgomery County. The cannery supplied the war effort during both World Wars I and II, and was the largest employer in Gaithersburg for many years, remaining in operation until 1963 when a fire damaged the buildings. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
The Thomas & Company Cannery was built in 1917 and provided a much-needed local market for processing the agricultural produce grown in rural Montgomery County. The cannery supplied the war effort during both World Wars I and II, and was the largest employer in Gaithersburg for many years, remaining in operation until 1963 when a fire damaged the buildings. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.
Cannery operation shortly after opening, 1917
Today, the restored building functions as a commercial and office space. Google Map Link
Asbury Methodist Village (Asbury Home for the Aged)
Asbury Methodist Village (Asbury Home for the Aged)
Built in 1926 on the grounds of Walter Magruder’s 106-acre “Rolling Acres” dairy farm, Asbury was originally a Methodist home for the "aged and orphaned." The institution rapidly grew and became the centerpiece of a large and lively community serving the needs of seniors of all denominations. Today, high-rise apartment buildings stand on land where milk cows once grazed.
Built in 1926 on the grounds of Walter Magruder’s 106-acre “Rolling Acres” dairy farm, Asbury was originally a Methodist home for the "aged and orphaned." The institution rapidly grew and became the centerpiece of a large and lively community serving the needs of seniors of all denominations. Today, high-rise apartment buildings stand on land where milk cows once grazed.
Photo taken shortly after construction, late 1920s
Photo taken spring, 2023 Google Map Link
Lewis Reed Residence (Realty Park)
Lewis Reed Residence (Realty Park)
In 1926, Lewis Reed and his wife built their craftsman-style house at what is today 301 North Frederick Avenue. The house occupied one lot of an original two lot residential parcel in the newly platted subdivision of “Realty Park.” Planned during post-WWI optimism on land purchased from C. Herman Rabbitt, Realty Park’s owners suffered economic hardship during the 1920s and 1930s, but Lewis Reed, a Rockville businessman, had managed to weather the hard times.
In 1926, Lewis Reed and his wife built their craftsman-style house at what is today 301 North Frederick Avenue. The house occupied one lot of an original two lot residential parcel in the newly platted subdivision of “Realty Park.” Planned during post-WWI optimism on land purchased from C. Herman Rabbitt, Realty Park’s owners suffered economic hardship during the 1920s and 1930s, but Lewis Reed, a Rockville businessman, had managed to weather the hard times.
Reed home, 301 N. Frederick Ave., 1927
A Sherwin-Williams Paint Store is now located in the former location of the Lewis Reed residence. Google Map Link
Walker Avenue seen from Grace United Methodist Church (bell tower)
Walker Avenue seen from Grace United Methodist Church (bell tower)
This residential street is named for John Wesley Walker, whose farm lane became Walker Avenue when he subdivided the front part of his farm in 1904. In June 1913, Walker Avenue was the first street in Gaithersburg to have electric streetlights installed along its full length.
This residential street is named for John Wesley Walker, whose farm lane became Walker Avenue when he subdivided the front part of his farm in 1904. In June 1913, Walker Avenue was the first street in Gaithersburg to have electric streetlights installed along its full length.
Lewis Reed took this photo of Walker Avenue from the bell tower of Grace United Methodist Church in the late 1920s
100 years later, Barry Gartner recreated his grandfather's photograph from the exact same spot. Google Map Link
Adventures in Photography!
Adventures in Photography!
In 2023, Barry Gartner obtained permission from the staff of Grace United Methodist Church to access their bell tower in order to recreate his grandfather's bird's-eye view photograph of Walker Avenue homes. The bell itself had been recently removed and refurbished in anticipation of the church's 100th Anniversary in 2005. Safety concerns had also been addressed as part of the renovations, making the journey to the top of the 3-story tower possible for Barry and his wife, Suzanne. Camera bag slung over his shoulder, Lewis Reed's grandson climbed the near-vertical step ladder through the narrow tower, and emerged to view the panorama his grandfather had seen 100 years earlier-- in some ways the same, and in other ways completely transformed!
In 2023, Barry Gartner obtained permission from the staff of Grace United Methodist Church to access their bell tower in order to recreate his grandfather's bird's-eye view photograph of Walker Avenue homes. The bell itself had been recently removed and refurbished in anticipation of the church's 100th Anniversary in 2005. Safety concerns had also been addressed as part of the renovations, making the journey to the top of the 3-story tower possible for Barry and his wife, Suzanne. Camera bag slung over his shoulder, Lewis Reed's grandson climbed the near-vertical step ladder through the narrow tower, and emerged to view the panorama his grandfather had seen 100 years earlier-- in some ways the same, and in other ways completely transformed!
Below: Lewis Reed's bell tower photo, 1910, blended into Barry Gartner's bell tower photo, 2023.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse