September 24 marks the birthday of literary legend F. Scott Fitzgerald, born in 1896 and remembered as one of the greatest American novelists of the 20th century. Best known for The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald’s ties to Montgomery County run deeper than many realize… he is buried right here in Rockville.
Montgomery Blair High School, one of Montgomery County’s most storied institutions, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year with a yearlong series of events. The celebration kicks off at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, September 26, in the Blair auditorium, ahead of the school’s homecoming game. VIPs and dignitaries from county, state, and national education and community organizations are expected to attend the kickoff, which is being spearheaded by the Blair Alumni Association.
Montgomery County currently has 25 public high schools, with two new additions, Crown High School in Gaithersburg and the reopened Woodward High School in North Bethesda, set to join the list in the coming years. While the county has experienced significant growth and modernization, several of its schools trace their roots back well over a century. Here’s a closer look at the three oldest high schools in Montgomery County Public Schools (that still exist in MCPS):
Originally published in 2021. Courtesy Susan Soderberg of The Germantown Historical Society. (more…)
Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart, in partnership with Montgomery History, will host a free public panel on Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 1–2:30 p.m. at the Council Office Building in Rockville to discuss the county’s upcoming 250th anniversary, its history, and its future, featuring local leaders and a MCPS student representative. (more…)
A rare historical photograph, shared by Suzy Deppa and taken by Bruce Deppa, offers a unique window into the landscape of Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village as it existed in 1964. The colorless image captures a time before the area’s modern development, showcasing a more rural, open landscape that has since been transformed.
The now-lost city of Triadelphia (“three brothers”) was founded in 1809 by brothers-in-law Thomas Moore, Isaac Briggs, and Caleb Bentley. The three men were married to the Brooke sisters, who were descendants of Robert Brooke– the founder of nearby Brookeville in Montgomery County.
Few local establishments have as storied a past as the Holiday Inn Gaithersburg, located off of I-270’s exit 11 on the corner of 355 and Montgomery Village Ave. It once made national headlines for an audacious offering that was a symbol of 1970s opulence– a single suite priced at an astronomical $1,400 a night.
For many long-time residents of Montgomery County, the name Shakey’s Pizza Parlor conjures a flood of nostalgic memories– the aroma of fresh pizza, the clatter of arcade games, and the joyful chaos of family outings. Before the proliferation of modern pizza chains, Shakey’s offered a truly unique and beloved dining experience that left an indelible mark on the local community, especially for those who came of age in the 1970s and 80s.
The Twinbrook Pool, a beloved community cornerstone located at 13027 Atlantic Ave. in Rockville, Maryland, is proudly celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Since opening its doors in June 1955, Twinbrook Pool has been more than just a recreational facility– it’s a testament to the dedication and spirit of the Twinbrook neighborhood.
Jeffrey’s Subs & Pizza at 15547 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville, which operated as Jerry’s Subs & Pizza for three decades before rebranding in 2020, has closed permanently. The contents of the restaurant will be auctioned off next week.