Our Community
Silver Spring, MD
Silver Spring, MD is one of the fastest growing commercial centers in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Silver Spring is not an incorporated city, but it has become one of the most vital residential and business centers in the region.
The greater Silver Spring area is
bordered by
Washington DC (the nation's Capitol),
Prince George's County (home to many technological,
defense and aerospace firms), and
Howard County (which holds a wide range of businesses,
from biotechnology to multinational corporations). Silver
Spring includes much of the southern and eastern portion
of
Montgomery County, one of Maryland's most populated
and affluent counties. Silver Spring is the focus of many
of
Montgomery County's 'smart growth' initiatives and is
fast cornering the media market with its attraction to the
area of such giants as Discovery Communications and AFI
Silver.
Silver Spring, MD's population of over 200,000 enjoys quick and easy access to Washington DC, Annapolis, Baltimore and northern Virginia. Three major airports service the region Reagan National, Dulles International, the Baltimore-Washington International Airport, and the Montgomery County Airpark, as well as excellent mass transit offered by Metro, Amtrak, Marc commuter rail and Ride-On. Shopping at the boutiques or the malls (Montgomery Mall, White Flint Mall, Columbia Mall) is world-class.
Silver Spring is not neglecting its historic preservation. As part of the 1632 King Charles I land grant to Lord Baltimore, there is plenty of history here. In 1830, Francis Preston Blair moved to Washington as requested by President Andrew Jackson. (The Blair House in Washington DC, used by many Vice Presidents as the official home, was built for him). Blair's daughter, Elizabeth, and her thirsty horse, Selim, found a spring on his country property while riding. Silver Spring is named for this delightful spring which is silvered by sparkling flakes of mica.
The 1938
Silver Theatre and Silver Spring Shopping Center
complex was a significant turning point in the
suburbanization of Washington, D.C. A classic Art Deco
example (designed by John Eberson), restoration is
sponsored by the Art Deco Society of Washington in
conjunction with the Montgomery County Council.
Artists and Silver Spring go together. From the
Penguin Mural on the new Silver Spring Metro station to
the mentions in the comic strip 'Zippy" of the Silver
Spring Tastee Freeze Diner, art is very much a part of
Silver Spring's history.
Silver Spring is also home to the National Capital Trolley Museum, Acorn Park (the site of the original Silver Spring), and Jesup Blair Park at Acorn Park.
Only minutes from the nation's Capital, Silver Spring is about 45 minutes from the Baltimore Orioles (at beautiful Camden yards) or from Redskins Park; Maryland games (in College Park) are only about 20 minutes. Rehobeth Beach, Ocean City, and Bethany Beach are about 2 ½ hours away.
