Endangered Sites List
Montgomery Preservation compiles a list of the Most Endangered Historic Sites in Montgomery County to call attention to important symbols of Montgomery County’s heritage that are threatened by neglect, demolition, inappropriate development, or insensitive public policy. This increased awareness often brings about some form of public, private, or public/private partnership response to save these significant sites.
Endangered Sites List
Stores, Homes and a Boundary Stone
Originally published Thursday, July 3, 2003
in The Washington Post, Page GZ16
Preservationists have designated these 11 county sites for their "most endangered" list.
The 1850 Jesup Blair House and Park
Corner of Georgia Avenue and Blair Road, Silver Spring
Silver Spring Historical Society/Henry Huntington Library
Jesup Blair Park has the only remaining mature forest in Silver Spring. The property, which was owned by Silver Spring's founder Francis Preston Blair, is threatened by neglect, tree removal and inappropriate development, according to Montgomery Preservation Inc.
Montgomery College plans to expand its Takoma Park campus, taking a portion of the park for its use.
The Little Tavern Hamburger Shop
The Little Tavern Hamburger Shop, built in 1935, is one of the few remaining Little Taverns in nearly original condition, serving as the chain's flagship store established by Harry F. Duncan. This spring, the owner, Pyramid Atlantic, unsuccessfully tried to sell the 672-square-foot shop on eBay and applied for a demolition permit. The Planning Board will decide whether it should be a historic landmark.
Update, August 2003: The Little Tavern Hamburger Shop has been demolished.
North Boundary Stone of the District of Columbia - 1790
District of Columbia, Silver Spring
M-NCPPC/Historic Preservation Section
The North Boundary Stone, which is three-quarters in Montgomery County, is one of the 40 original boundary stones laid out for the District of Columbia after the site for the new U.S. Capitol was selected in 1790. The stone and the protective ornamental fence surrounding it are largely covered by soil.
Lincoln Park - 1890
Rockville
With permission from John Hartranft
Lincoln Park, which was platted in 1890-91, is one of the few subdivisions in Montgomery County laid out for sale to African Americans. Through the years the number of houses built before 1920 has dropped to 13 and will soon drop to 12 with the demolition of a small house on Lincoln Avenue. A plan to protect the character and history of the area is underway, but so far there is no legal protection. Historic designation is being sought.
Spates Bungalow - ca. 1924
115 Park Ave., Rockville
With permission from John Hartranft
The bungalow was built on the model of the Sears, Roebuck Blanton houses in 1924 by former Rockville mayor Roger Spates. Rockville officials have given the structure a historic designation. It is one of two houses left in an early subdivision. The owner, the Betty B. Casey Trust, plans to demolish the structure.
Park Street Elementary School
Rockville
It is one of 25 Montgomery County schools designed by architect Howard Wright Cutler between 1924 and 1944. It also is one of five Georgian Revival county schools designed by Cutler in the 1930s using federal Public Works Administration funds. Park Street will be demolished in July 2005 to make way for construction of the new Richard Montgomery High School. Rockville historic groups unsuccessfully tried to get the building designated a historic property.
The Eugene Waters House - ca. 1918
19430 Waters Rd., Germantown
Susan Soderberg
The two-story house, built in 1918 in the Colonial Revival style, is marked for demolition to clear land for a parking lot for a proposed big-box retail store. Waters served two terms in the Maryland House of Delegates in the early part of the 20th century.
Black Rock Log House - 1890
Germantown
Susan Soderberg
This large, two-story center hall log house was built in 1890 by Nicholas Offutt, owner of the Black Rock Mill, to settle a land dispute on the border of his property. The house has been vacant for at least 20 years. The 50-acre property is occupied by four radio towers and is zoned for radio tower use only.
John Gassaway Seed and Fertilizer Store - 1880
Germantown
Susan Soderberg
The store was built in 1880 by John Hanson Gassaway, a former president of the Montgomery County Agricultural Society. He contributed to the effort to recondition tobacco-depleted soil in the county and his store played a major part in the process. This property has no historic designation.
Darby Store - 1910
Beallsville
M-NCPPC/Historic Preservation Section
Built in 1910, this building was operated for decades as a country store and post office. It is in the center of the Beallsville Historic District, is a familiar landmark in Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve and served as a country store and post office. It is closed and slowly deteriorating because of lack of maintenance.
Odd Fellows Hall - early 20th century
Sandy Spring
M-NCPPC/Historic Preservation Section
This structure, built in the early 20th century, housed an African American fraternal organization and was used for social events, worship and education. It was a central part of African American community life. It has been nominated for historic designation.
List developed by Montgomery Preservation Inc.
Text © The Washington Post, 2003
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