Montgomery County is home to communities with names that have become familiar to generations of residents, but many were once known by something entirely different. Some were named after early taverns, general stores, and local families, while others took their names from railroad stations or prominent historical figures.
From Rockville’s early days as Owen’s Ordinary to Laytonsville’s unusual nickname of Cracklintown, here’s a look at 10 Montgomery County communities and the names associated with their past:
Rockville (Owen’s Ordinary, Hungerford’s Tavern, Montgomery Courthouse, Williamsburg): Before becoming Rockville, the county seat was known by several names, including Owen’s Ordinary, Hungerford’s Tavern, and Montgomery Courthouse. The community was officially laid out as Williamsburg in 1784, reflecting its growing importance as Montgomery County’s seat of government. In 1801, the Maryland General Assembly changed the name to Rockville, which remains today.
Gaithersburg (Log Town, Forest Oak): Gaithersburg’s earliest settlement was known as Log Town, dating back to the 18th century. The name Forest Oak was later associated with the community’s post office, which opened in 1850. As the area developed around the railroad and the Gaither family’s property, Gaithersburg became the established name. The town was officially incorporated in 1878.
Bethesda (Darcy’s Store): Before Bethesda became the bustling community it is today, the area was known as Darcy’s Store, named for William E. Darcy, who operated a general store and post office at an important local crossroads. In January 1871, the post office was renamed Bethesda, taking its name from the nearby Bethesda Meeting House. The new name eventually became associated with the surrounding community.
Silver Spring (Sligo): Before Silver Spring became the area’s best-known name, Sligo was associated with a 19th-century crossroads community and post office. The name Silver Spring came from the estate of Francis Preston Blair, who named his property after a nearby spring. As development expanded, Silver Spring became the name most commonly associated with the growing community.
Wheaton (Leesborough, Mitchell’s Crossroads): Before becoming Wheaton, the area was known as Leesborough, a name appearing in post office records as early as 1826. By the 1860s, the area’s growing business district was known as Mitchell’s Crossroads, named for Mitchell’s Tavern near the intersection of today’s Georgia Avenue and University Boulevard. In 1869, the local post office was renamed Wheaton in honor of Union Army General Frank Wheaton, who helped defend Washington, D.C., during the Civil War. The post office briefly returned to the Leesborough name during the 1870s before Wheaton became the established name.
Potomac (Offutt’s Crossroads): Long before Potomac became known for its residential neighborhoods and shopping centers, it was called Offutt’s Crossroads. The name came from the Offutt family, early landowners and tobacco planters in the area. The community later adopted the name Potomac in the late 19th century, reflecting its proximity to the Potomac River.
Kensington (Knowles Station, Kensington Park): Kensington’s history is closely connected to the railroad. The community developed around Knowles Station, a B&O Railroad stop named for local landowner George Knowles. In the late 19th century, developer Brainard Warner established a planned residential community known as Kensington Park, drawing inspiration from Kensington in England. The name was eventually shortened to Kensington.
Olney (Mechanicsville, Fair Hill): Olney was originally known as Mechanicsville, a small community that developed around 1800. Fair Hill was another historical name associated with the area. In 1851, the local post office adopted the name Olney, which became the community’s established name. The change reflected the area’s transition from a small crossroads settlement into a more recognizable town center.
Laytonsville (Cracklintown): One of Montgomery County’s more unusual former community names belongs to Laytonsville, which was once known as Cracklintown. The nickname is associated with cracklin bread, a type of cornbread made with pieces of pork fat that was popular in the area. The surrounding area was also known as the Cracklin District. Laytonsville later took its name from the Layton family and was incorporated in 1892.
Burtonsville (Burton’s): Burtonsville traces its name to Isaac Burton, who consolidated his family’s farmland in the area in 1825. The community was initially known as Burton’s, reflecting the family’s presence and influence in the region. Over time, the name evolved into Burtonsville, which remains the community’s name today.
These former names offer a glimpse into Montgomery County’s early development, when communities were often identified by local businesses, landowners, crossroads, or railroad stops. Although the names have changed, many of the places and families that inspired them remain part of the county’s history.
