92-655: Takoma Park is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland , United States. It is a suburb of Washington , and part of the Washington metropolitan area . Founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1890, Takoma Park, informally called " Azalea City", is a Tree City USA and a nuclear-free zone . A planned commuter suburb, it is situated along the Metropolitan Branch of the historic Baltimore and Ohio Railroad , just northeast of Washington, D.C., and it shares
184-498: A charter to the first Lord Baltimore , the head of the Calvert family. The county's creation was a focus of Thomas S. Wootton who, on August 31, 1776, introduced a measure to form a new county from Frederick County, Maryland to aid area residents in simplifying their business affairs. The measure passed, creating the new political entity of Montgomery County in what was then the colonial -era Province of Maryland . According to
276-576: A 65-foot (20 m) tower. Gilbert purchased another plot of land in 1886. The land was roughly bounded by Carroll Avenue to the Big Spring (now Takoma Junction) and what is now Woodland Avenue. Gilbert named this land New Takoma. Gilbert later purchased the Jones farm and the Naughton farm, which together he named North Takoma. He also purchased land from Francis P. Blair , Richard L. T. Beale , and
368-411: A border and history with the adjacent Washington, D.C. neighborhood of Takoma . It is governed by an elected mayor and six elected councilmembers, who form the city council, and an appointed city manager , under a council-manager style of government . The city's population was 17,629 at the 2020 census . Since 2013, residents of Takoma Park can vote in municipal elections when they turn sixteen. It
460-402: A family was $ 111,737. Males had a median income of $ 71,841 versus $ 55,431 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 47,310. About 4.0% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line , including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over. As of the 2000 United States census , there were 873,058 people living in the county. The racial makeup of
552-509: A fire destroyed the building, and Bliss rebuilt the school at another site. The school was eventually bought by Montgomery County where it became the site of Montgomery College 's Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus. In 1964, an inside-the-Capital-Beltway extension of Interstate 70S , also known as the North Central Freeway , was proposed via a route known as "Option #11 Railroad Sligo East," up to 1 ⁄ 4 mile parallel to
644-489: A household in the city was $ 48,490, and the median income for a family was $ 63,434. Males had a median income of $ 40,668 versus $ 35,073 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 26,437. About 8.4% of families and 10.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 10.5% of those under age 18 and 20.5% of those age 65 or over. According to the City's fiscal year 2023 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report ,
736-646: A majority of city neighborhoods. Nearly half of the city's population are tenants, 47.2% according to the Census Bureau 's 2019 population estimate, many of whom live in a cluster of high-rise and mid-rise apartment buildings surrounding Sligo Creek , which cuts a deep valley through the community. The City Council adopted the Takoma Park Safe Grow Act of 2013, which went into effect March 1, 2014, and bans synthetic pesticides and requires organic lawn management on all city lands. In 2018,
828-472: A physician in Boston named Dr. R.C. Flower, in order to build a sanitarium on the land. By this point, Takoma Park stretched 1,500 acres (5 km). The deed of each of the original houses prohibited alcohol from being made or sold on the property, a prohibition that continued in the city until 1983. Takoma Park incorporated as a town on April 3, 1890. The first town election was held on May 5, 1890, and Gilbert
920-608: A public bi-county water and sewer utility in the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). In October 2020, the Montgomery County Council unanimously passed an ordinance that implemented an LGBTIQ+ bill of rights. Montgomery County is an alcoholic beverage control county. Beer and wine may also be sold in private stores. Until 1964, only three restaurants in the county had liquor licenses to serve liquor by
1012-425: A single point at Parr's Spring on Parr's Ridge . Montgomery County lies within the northern portions of the humid subtropical climate . It has four distinct seasons, including hot, humid summers and cool winters. Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with an average of 43 inches (110 cm) of rainfall. Thunderstorms are common during the summer months, and account for
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#17327912120721104-583: Is a nationally accredited U.S. law enforcement agency and acts as the enforcement arm of the courts in the county. All of its deputy sheriffs are fully certified law enforcement officials with full authority of arrest. The office was created in July 1777 and is the oldest law enforcement agency in Montgomery County. It is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland . It was nationally accredited in 1995,
1196-669: Is an important business and research center. It is the epicenter for biotechnology in the Mid-Atlantic region. Montgomery County, as third largest biotechnology cluster in the U.S., holds a large cluster and companies of large corporate size within the state. Biomedical research is carried out by institutions including Johns Hopkins University 's Montgomery County Campus (JHU MCC), and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). Federal government agencies in Montgomery County engaged in related work include
1288-582: Is notable for being the home of blues guitarist John Fahey , who (together with other local music institutions) popularized the city as a haven for folk musicians. He named his label, Takoma Records , for the city, and many of his songs reference local landmarks. Mary Chapin Carpenter , Al Petteway (composer of Sligo Creek ) and many other prominent local and national artists have made their home in and around Takoma Park. Root Boy Slim and Goldie Hawn are from Takoma Park. Other annual festivals include
1380-497: Is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Maryland . As of the 2020 census , the county's population was 1,062,061, increasing by 9.3% from 2010. The county seat is Rockville , and Germantown is the most populous place in the county. The county is adjoined to Washington, D.C. , the nation's capital, and is part of the Washington metropolitan area and the Washington–Baltimore combined statistical area . Most of
1472-480: The American Revolutionary War . The county's nickname of "MoCo" is derived from " Mo ntgomery Co unty", in use as early as 2001. The county's motto, adopted in 1976, is "Gardez Bien", a French phrase meaning "Watch Well". The county's motto is also the motto of its namesake's family. Prior to 1688, the first tract of land in what is now Montgomery County was granted by Charles I in
1564-933: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), and the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research . Many large firms are based in the county, including Coventry Health Care , Lockheed Martin , Marriott International , Host Hotels & Resorts , Travel Channel , Ritz-Carlton , Robert Louis Johnson Companies ( RLJ Companies ), Choice Hotels , MedImmune , TV One , BAE Systems Inc. , Hughes Network Systems and GEICO . Other U.S. federal government agencies based in
1656-681: The Maryland General Assembly , the county line was moved to include the entire city into Montgomery County (including territory in Prince George's County newly annexed by the city) on July 1, 1997. This process became known as Unification. In 1981, Takoma Park passed the Rent stabilization Law, which limits the rent increase to a percentage set by the city and applies to all individual condominium units and multi-family rental facilities. This led to Takoma Park featuring some of
1748-531: The U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 507 square miles (1,310 km ), of which 491 square miles (1,270 km ) is land and 16 square miles (41 km ) (3.1%) is water. Montgomery County lies entirely inside the Piedmont plateau . The topography is generally rolling. Elevations range from a low of near sea level along the Potomac River to about 875 feet in the northernmost portion of
1840-650: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 2.09 square miles (5.41 km), of which, 2.08 square miles (5.39 km) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km) is water. Sligo Creek and Long Branch (both tributaries of the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River ) flow through the area. Sligo Creek Park and the 9-mile (14 km) Sligo Creek Trail bisect the area. The main street, Carroll Avenue, and
1932-516: The government of Burma (Myanmar), though after a U.S. Supreme Court decision struck down a similar Massachusetts law , enforcement of the provision was suspended in the year 2000. As of 2007, the Free Burma Committee is inactive. In 2008, the city unanimously approved a resolution to oppose foie gras . Takoma Park is the only Maryland municipality with a rent control law . Montgomery County, Maryland Montgomery County
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#17327912120722024-467: The tenth-highest median household income in the United States, and the second highest in the state after Howard County as of 2011. The median household income in 2007 was $ 89,284 and the median family income was $ 106,093. Males had a median income of $ 66,415 versus $ 52,134 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 43,073. About 3.3% of families and 4.6% of the population were below
2116-432: The 2009–2010 season. Since the 1970s, the county has had in place a Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit (MPDU) zoning plan that requires developers to include affordable housing in any new residential developments that they construct in the county. The goal is to create socioeconomically mixed neighborhoods and schools so the rich and poor are not isolated in separate parts of the county. Developers who provide for more than
2208-536: The Adventist Book and Health Food Store, which had also been located within city limits. This had followed an effort by county officials to close or relocate the city's fire station, located on the side of a steep hill. Due to resulting controversy, the City Council lobbied to retain the old Hospital facility as a "health campus." The hospital had been in operation for over a century, having been founded as
2300-508: The B&;O railroad upon a swath of land displacing 471 houses, that would have cut the city in two. In the mid-to-late 1960s, the future mayor and civil rights activist Sammie Abbott led a campaign to halt freeway construction and replace it with a Metrorail line to the site of the former train station, and worked with other neighborhood groups to halt plans for a wider system of freeways going into and out of DC. This controversy also raised
2392-734: The Beltway and I-270 , and they assist county and city police in investigation of some major crimes. Montgomery County has a budget of $ 2.3 billion. Approximately $ 1.48 billion are invested in Montgomery County Public Schools and $ 128 million in Montgomery College . Montgomery and Prince George's counties share a bi-county planning and parks agency in the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) and
2484-491: The City of Takoma Park proposed renaming streets that were named after generals who fought on either side in the United States Civil War , namely Grant Avenue, Lee Avenue, Sherman Avenue, Sheridan Avenue, and Jackson Avenue, though by 2024, no action had been taken. Takoma Park sits on the edge of the Mid-Atlantic fall line and is thus quite hilly, with many narrow, gridded streets. According to
2576-574: The Commissioners of the District of Columbia mandated a District-wide street-naming system, those on the District side were renamed streets but retained their names otherwise. Other streets in Takoma, D.C. , were renamed entirely. Susquehanna Avenue became Whittier Street. Tahoe Street was renamed Aspen Street. Umatilla Street became Aspen Street. Vermilion Street became Cedar Street. Wabash Street
2668-736: The Institute of Musical Traditions, a performance society founded by the House of Musical Traditions. Kinetic Artistry, a notable theatre supplier for the Washington area, is also located in Takoma Park. The Takoma Theatre Conservancy is an organization attempting to renovate the 500-seat Takoma Theatre for multiuse purposes. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) awarded a Construction Permit to Historic Takoma Inc (HTI) for Takoma Radio. The hyper-local neighborhood station will be identified on
2760-662: The Maryland Constitutional Convention, to create lower Frederick County as Montgomery County. The name, Montgomery County, along with the founding of Washington County, Maryland, after George Washington , was the first time in American history that counties and provinces in the Thirteen Colonies were not named after British referents. The name use of Montgomery and Washington County were seen as further defiance to Great Britain during
2852-559: The Riggs family. Gilbert hired contractor Fred E. Dudley to build many of the homes in Takoma Park. One of the homes built by Dudley was the home of Cady Lee , which was designed by Leon E. Dessez and still stands today at Piney Branch Road and Eastern Avenue. Dudley's son Wentworth was the first child born in Takoma Park. By 1888, there were 75 houses built in the community, and the number increased to 235 homes by 1889. In 1889, Gilbert purchased several acres of land along Sligo Creek from
Takoma Park, Maryland - Misplaced Pages Continue
2944-561: The State of Maryland for legislation allowing county boundaries to be adjusted. The State finally agreed to this change, with the stipulation that cross-county municipalities would no longer be allowed; the new municipal boundary would forever remain within the county of its choosing. In August 1995, after passage of the law, the city held a public referendum asking registered voters living in three Prince George's County neighborhoods north of New Hampshire Avenue whether they wanted to be annexed to
3036-526: The Washington Sanitarium overlooking Sligo Creek in 1907. Officials also successfully lobbied to retain a university located on the same campus, which has been renamed Washington Adventist University . In the 1970s, the city experienced controversy over plans to expand or relocate Montgomery College , which has a campus located in the historic district of North Takoma, an area of large old homes adjacent to downtown Silver Spring . This debate
3128-474: The affectionate nickname Tapioca United. Takoma Park's electorate and its elected officials are known for their liberal and left-of-liberal values, which have led to the enactment of several municipal laws. For instance, Takoma Park allows non-U.S.-citizen residents to vote in its own municipal elections , and has lowered the voting age for city elections to 16. The city was also forbidden, by statute, from doing business with any entity having commercial ties with
3220-407: The age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.4% were non-families, and 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.22. The median age was 38.5 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 93,373 and the median income for
3312-568: The air as WOWD-LP , 94.3FM, and has plans to debut in mid-2016. Takoma Park has been home to a variety of local characters who have contributed to the city's sense of identity and culture, including "Catman" and Motor Cat, Roscoe the Rooster, The Banjo Man, and "Fox Man", a local animal rights activist and founder of the city's Tool Library. Takoma Park also has a year-round farmer's market and two other farmers markets which sell local produce and free range meats. Several local newspapers have served
3404-593: The church. In 1903, the Seventh-day Adventist Church decided to move their headquarters to the Washington area after its headquarters' publishing house in Battle Creek, Michigan , had burned to the ground. The church decided that moving to a more urban setting would be a more appropriate place from which to increase the church's presence in the southern states. The church purchased fifty acres of land along Sligo Creek in Takoma Park to build
3496-459: The city of Takoma Park. There was a majority of votes, 219 out of 313, in favor of annexation to the city. In November 1995, the state-sponsored referendum was held asking whether the portions of the city in Prince George's County should be annexed to Montgomery County, or vice versa. The majority of votes in the referendum were in favor of unification of the entire city in Montgomery County. Following subsequent approval by both counties' councils and
3588-625: The city's youth sports leagues after lobbying from Steve Francis , the NBA basketball player, who grew up in Takoma Park; but funding was not identified. A small fenced-in basketball court has since been built adjacent to the community center. In 2010, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church received authorization to relocate the regional Washington Adventist Hospital from the center of town to an outlying area of nearby Silver Spring, Maryland , alongside its international headquarters and
3680-427: The city. The population density was 8,036.1 inhabitants per square mile (3,102.8/km). There were 7,162 housing units at an average density of 3,443.3 per square mile (1,329.5/km). The racial makeup of the city was 49.0% White , 35.0% African American , 0.3% Native American , 4.4% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 6.5% from other races , and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.5% of
3772-435: The city. The population density was 8,152.4 inhabitants per square mile (3,147.7/km). There were 7,187 housing units at an average density of 3,387.0 per square mile (1,307.7/km). The racial makeup of the city was 48.79% White , 33.97% African American , 0.44% Native American , 4.36% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 7.44% from other races , and 4.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.42% of
Takoma Park, Maryland - Misplaced Pages Continue
3864-556: The community including The Voice and the satirical Takoma Torch. The Sam Abbott Citizens Center, Takoma Park's former city auditorium, has been refurbished as a community theater and gallery. The municipal center, which includes the Takoma Park City Hall, Citizens Center and the Takoma Park Maryland Library, was expanded into a community center from 2003–2007. A gymnasium was requested by
3956-453: The corner of Carroll and Flower Avenues. Takoma Park has many small neighborhoods. There are approximately fifty neighborhood listservs. The Takoma Avenue Historic District is a national historic district . All five houses were constructed in 1951, are identical in their layout and construction, and were designed by Charles M. Goodman . As of the census of 2010, there were 16,715 people, 6,569 households, and 3,904 families residing in
4048-579: The council are Democrats. The council meets weekly at the county seat of Rockville—the 6th Floor of the Stella B. Werner Council Office Building. The members of the County Council as of 2023 are: The most recent Republican serving on the Montgomery County Council, Howard A. Denis of District 1 (Potomac/Bethesda), lost re-election in 2006. Since then, all Council members have been Democrats. The Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) provides
4140-418: The county has several U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses. The Maryland state legislature named Montgomery County after Richard Montgomery ; the county was created from lands that had at one point or another been part of Frederick County . On September 6, 1776, Thomas Sprigg Wootton from Rockville, Maryland, introduced legislation, while serving at
4232-652: The county include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Downtown Bethesda and Silver Spring are the largest urban business hubs in
4324-404: The county north of Damascus. Relief between valley bottoms and hilltops is several hundred feet. Earthquakes are rare; the most recent one, on June 24, 2024, had a 1.8 magnitude and was centered near Spencerville, Maryland . When Montgomery County was created in 1776, its boundaries were defined as "beginning at the east side of the mouth of Rock Creek on Potomac river [sic], and running with
4416-561: The county was 65.0% white, 15.1% Black or African American, 11.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 5.0% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 11.5% of the population. There were 324,565 households, of which 35% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.9% were non-families. Of all households, 24.4% were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who
4508-435: The county's population. Over 52,000 people of Salvadoran descent lived in Montgomery County, with Salvadoran Americans comprising approximately 32% of the county's Hispanic and Latino population. People of South American descent make up 3.8% of the county, with Peruvian Americans being the largest South American community, constituting 1.2% of the county's population. Of the 357,086 households, 35.7% had children under
4600-520: The county's residents are affiliated with a religion . Montgomery County was named the most religiously diverse county in the United States in 2023 by the Public Religion Research Institute 's census. Counties were given a diversity index between 0 and 1, with 0 signifying no diversity, and 1 signifying complete diversity. Montgomery County earned a .886, higher than the national average of .615. Montgomery County has
4692-485: The county's residents live in Silver Spring , Bethesda , Germantown , and the incorporated cities of Rockville and Gaithersburg . The average household income in Montgomery County is the 20th-highest among U.S. counties as of 2020. The county has the highest percentage (29.2%) of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate degrees . Like other counties in the Washington metropolitan area,
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#17327912120724784-470: The county; combined, they rival many major city cores. According to the county's comprehensive annual financial reports , the top employers by number of employees in the county are the following. "NR" indicates the employer was not ranked among the top ten employers that year. Montgomery County was granted a charter form of government in 1948. The present County Executive / County Council form of government of Montgomery County dates to November 1968 when
4876-657: The downtown, Takoma, D.C. is home to the A.Salon Building, a large art studio warehouse and former printing plant, which is home to the backstage office and rehearsal center for the Washington Opera . Two (currently vacant) freestanding theaters, the Takoma Theater and the Flower Theater, anchor either end of town. Takoma Park is also home to the Dance Exchange (founded by Liz Lerman ) and
4968-596: The first county sheriff's office in Maryland to be so. The MCSO has authorized over 165 employees consisting of sworn law enforcement officers and civilian support staff. The office is headed by the sheriff, who has been elected every four years since the 1920s. The current Sheriff is Maxwell C. Uy (D), elected in 2022. Uy is the 62nd Sheriff and the first Asian American to hold that office. Several cities including Rockville and Gaithersburg maintain their own police departments to complement MCPD. Maryland State Police patrol
5060-421: The first time, and the music spans genres from old-time fiddle and bluegrass to acoustic folk-rock to Afro-Latin fusion, and more. The festival also includes children's activities, a juried crafts show, and community tables where local organizations and politicians reach out to the community. It has been in existence since 1978, founded by Sam Abbott, former mayor of the city and civil-rights activist. Takoma Park
5152-469: The fiscal year ending June 30, 2021. The office of the county executive was established in 1970. The first executive was James P. Gleason. The current executive is Marc Elrich, who was sworn in for his first term on December 3, 2018. The County Council is the legislative branch of Montgomery County. It has eleven members who serve four-year terms. All are elected at the same time by the voters of Montgomery County. As of January 2023, all 11 members on
5244-712: The full spectrum of policing services to the entire county. It was founded in 1922 and is headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland . It consists of around 1,300 sworn officers and 650 support personnel, split into 6 districts throughout the county. The department also provides assistance to other nearby departments, such as the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia and the Prince George's County Police Department , if requested. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office (MCSO)
5336-528: The largest Jewish population in the state of Maryland, accounting for 45% of Maryland Jews. According to the Berman Jewish DataBank , Montgomery County has a Jewish population of 105,400 people, around 10% of the county's population. The Washington metropolitan area , with 295,500 Jews, has become the third-largest Jewish population in the United States. As of 2020, Montgomery County is home to 776 religious congregations. Montgomery County
5428-604: The late 2000s, regional and national debate occurred over the decision to close Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Takoma, D.C., and relocate its operations to the Bethesda Naval Medical Center . Takoma Park Soccer Club is the sponsor of many youth soccer teams in the Takoma Park area; such as the TAPK United, coached by professional Brazilian coach Manilton Santos. A successful team, they have earned
5520-513: The lowest rents in the D.C. region while similarly discouraging new multi-family housing construction, as evidenced by the lack of any new development in the city after the law passed. The city experienced substantial gentrification in the 1990s and early 2000s (decade), with many houses containing apartments converted back into single-family homes. This process was encouraged by an M-NCPPC "phase back", effectively eliminating scattered-site multifamily housing and implementing single-use zoning in
5612-425: The main state highway , Route 410/East West Highway, narrow to two lanes within city limits. Takoma Park has an extensive hardwood tree canopy which is protected by local ordinance. Takoma Park is bounded by downtown Silver Spring , a major urban center to the northwest, by Montgomery College campus; East Silver Spring, a community of houses, apartments and small shops, along Flower Avenue and Piney Branch Road, to
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#17327912120725704-749: The majority of the average 35 days with thunder per year. Heavy precipitation is most common in summer thunderstorms, but drought periods are more likely during these months because summer precipitation is more variable than winter. The mean annual temperature is 55 °F (13 °C). The average summer (June–July–August) afternoon maximum is about 85 °F (29 °C) while the morning minimums average 66 °F (19 °C). In winter (December–January–February), these averages are 44 °F (7 °C) and 28 °F (−2 °C). Extreme heat waves can raise readings to around and slightly above 100 °F (38 °C), and arctic blasts can drop lows to −10 °F (−23 °C) to 0 °F (−18 °C). For Rockville ,
5796-776: The mildly countercultural Takoma Park Street Festival, the Takoma Jazz Fest, the Takoma Park Independent Film Festival, and the Takoma Park Fourth of July Parade, which is attended by residents and neighboring politicians from across the metropolitan region. The parade typically includes ethnic musical troupes representing a wide variety of global cultures, neighborhood performance troupes, and groups supporting causes, such as LGBTQ and fair trade , reflecting Takoma Park's historic reputation for activism. Immediately adjacent to
5888-420: The minimum amount of MPDUs are rewarded with permission to increase the density of their developments, which allows them to build more housing and generate more revenue . Montgomery County was one of the first counties in the U.S. to adopt such a plan, but many other areas have since followed suit. Montgomery County is by far one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse counties in the United States; four of
5980-423: The new headquarters. The land was away from downtown Washington and had clean water available from a natural spring located at present-day Spring Park. For many decades Takoma Park served as the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, until it moved to northern Silver Spring in 1989. In 1908, North Takoma Hotel was bought by Louis Denton Bliss, who turned it into Bliss Electrical School. Months later,
6072-462: The north; Langley Park , a community of apartments and shopping centers, along University Boulevard to the northeast; Chillum , in Prince George's County to the southeast, bounded by New Hampshire Avenue , a state highway; and Takoma to the southwest, separated by Eastern Avenue, which follows the District of Columbia line. The corner of Eastern and Carroll Avenues roughly marks the center of
6164-520: The old commercial district. Other town centers include: "Takoma Junction", the corner of Carroll Avenue and Route 410 in the geographic center of town, home to the city's large food co-op ; Takoma-Langley Crossroads in downtown Langley Park, and the Flower shopping district, both of which are home to many immigrant-owned establishments. Takoma Park's municipal center is located at the corner of Maple Avenue and Route 410. Washington Adventist University marks
6256-630: The old town Takoma Park was incorporated into the Takoma Park Historic District ; listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Before 1995, the eastern boundary of the city of Takoma Park was in Prince George's County , Maryland, causing the community to be divided across two counties and the Maryland/D.C. line (where the original downtown area is located). For several years, Takoma Park lobbied
6348-461: The only minority-majority state on the East Coast. As of the 2010 United States census , there were 971,777 people, 357,086 households, and 244,898 families living in the county. The population density was 1,978.2 inhabitants per square mile (763.8/km ). There were 375,905 housing units at an average density of 765.2 per square mile (295.4/km ). The racial makeup of the county
6440-565: The passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 , restrictive covenants were used in Takoma Park to exclude African Americans, Jews, and others. Many Takoma Park subdivisions used anti-Black covenants and at least one subdivision used antisemitic covenants. A 1939 deed for the New Hampshire Avenue Highlands subdivision of Takoma Park reads: "No lot shall be leased, transferred, sold, occupied or conveyed to or for
6532-441: The population. There were 6,569 households, of which 33.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.6% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
6624-405: The population. There were 6,893 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. Approximately 4.5% of all couples were unmarried same sex couples. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who
6716-486: The poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over. Of Montgomery County's residents, 14% are Catholic , 5% are Baptist , 3% are Methodist , 1% are Presbyterian , 1% are Episcopalian , 1% are part of the Latter Day Saint movement , 1% are Lutheran , 6% are of another Christian faith, 3% are Jewish , 1% follows Islam , and 1% are of an eastern faith . Overall, 41% of
6808-557: The profile of Takoma Park at a time in the late 1960s and 1970s when it was becoming noted regionally and nationally for political activism outside the Nation's capital, with newspaper commentators describing it as "The People's Republic of Takoma Park" or "The Berkeley of the East". This era of activism extended into the 1980s, when Takoma Park declared itself a Nuclear-free zone and a sanctuary for Salvadoran and Guatemalan refugees. Prior to
6900-440: The record high is 105 °F (41 °C) in 1954, while the record low is −13 °F (−25 °C). Lower elevations in the south, such as Silver Spring , receive an average of 17.5 inches (44 cm) of snowfall per year. Higher elevations in the north, such as Damascus , receive an average of 21.3 inches (54 cm) of snowfall per year. During a particularly snowy winter, Damascus received 79 inches (200 cm) during
6992-583: The said river to the mouth of Monocacy , then with a straight line to Par's spring, from thence with the lines of the county to the beginning". The county's boundary forms a sliver of land at the far northern tip of the county that is several miles long and averages less than 200 yards wide. In fact, a single house on Lakeview Drive and its yard is sectioned by this sliver into three portions, each separately contained within Montgomery, Frederick and Howard counties. These jurisdictions and Carroll County meet at
7084-491: The ten most culturally diverse cities and towns in the U.S. are in Montgomery County: Gaithersburg , ranking second; Germantown , ranking third; Silver Spring , ranking fourth; and Rockville , ranking ninth. Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Silver Spring all rank as more culturally diverse than New York City , San Jose , and Oakland . Maryland overall is one of six minority-majority states, and
7176-498: The three jurisdictions. After more than 100 years in Takoma Park, a city on the northern edge of Washington DC, Washington Adventist Hospital has relocated to Silver Spring, Maryland and has been renamed Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center. The Takoma Park-Silver Spring Food Co-op is one of the Washington area's largest food co-ops . The Takoma Park Presbyterian Church has been a bulwark of civic activism throughout its history. The TPPC helped to found CASA de Maryland . In
7268-551: The top employers in the city are the following. Takoma Park is known for a variety of cultural events, most notable of which is the Takoma Park Folk Festival, which attracts an audience from across the Mid-Atlantic region. The Takoma Park Folk Festival is a free annual festival featuring music by local musicians on six stages. Performers range from well-seasoned stage veterans to youngsters on stage for
7360-599: The use of any person or persons not wholly of Caucasian Race or blood, excluding Semites; but this covenant shall not prevent casual occupancy by domestic servants of a different race, employed by an owner or tenant." The first known restrictive covenant in Takoma Park was for a property in the Hillcrest subdivision in 1911. Subdivisions with restrictive covenants included Bonnie View, Carroll Farm, Carroll Manor, Fletcher's Addition, Flower Avenue Park, Green Hill Farms, Hampshire Knolls, Hillwood Manor, Wildwood and others. Much of
7452-406: The voters changed the form of government from a County Commission / County Manager system, as provided in the original 1948 home rule Charter. The County Commission/County Manager system was seen as inadequate for the growing population of the county who wanted more services assistance and accountability from the government. The Montgomery County government had a surplus of $ 654 million for
7544-434: Was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.12. The median age in the city was 38 years. 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.8% were from 25 to 44; 28.7% were from 45 to 64; and 10% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.6% male and 53.4% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 17,299 people, 6,893 households, and 3,949 families residing in
7636-542: Was 57.5% White, 17.2% Black or African American, 13.9% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 7.0% from other races, and 4.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 17.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 10.7% were German , 9.6% were Irish , 7.9% were English , 4.9% were Italian , 3.5% were Russian , 3.1% were Polish , 2.9% were American and 2% were French . People of Central American descent made up 8.1% of Montgomery County, with Salvadoran Americans constituting 5.4% of
7728-448: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.13. In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 35.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males. The median income for
7820-522: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.19. 25.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males. In 2000, there were 334,632 housing units at an average density of 675 per square mile (261/km ). Montgomery County has
7912-403: Was cleared away in order to lay out and grade streets and housing lots. At its founding, most lots measured 50 by 200 feet (15 by 60 m) and were sold for $ 327 to $ 653 per acre. By August 1885, there were about 100 people living in Takoma Park, including temporary summer residents and year-round permanent residents. Gilbert himself lived in a wooden house on a stone foundation, with 20 rooms and
8004-494: Was elected mayor and J. Vance Lewis, George H. Bailey, Daniel Smith, and Frederick J. Lung were elected to the town council. The Watkins Hotel was built in 1892. A fire destroyed the town's recently built commercial district and the Watkins Hotel in 1893. Gilbert's North Takoma Hotel was built later that year, advertising the pure spring water nearby its 160 rooms. Many of the streets were originally known as avenues. When
8096-402: Was in spring 1884 when he bought 100 acres (0.40 km) of land from G.C. Grammar, which was known as Robert's Choice. This plot of land was located on both sides of the railroad station, roughly bounded by today's Sixth Street on the west, Aspen Street on the south, Willow Avenue on the east, and Takoma Avenue on the north. At the time, much of the land was covered by thick forest, some of which
8188-413: Was originally the name of Mount Rainier , from Lushootseed [təqʷúbəʔ] (earlier *təqʷúməʔ ), 'snow-covered mountain'. In response to a wish of Gilbert, the name Takoma was chosen in 1883 by DC resident Ida Summy, who believed it to mean 'high up' or 'near heaven'. The city of Tacoma in Washington state is also named after Mount Takhoma ( Mount Rainier ). Gilbert's first purchase of land
8280-570: Was renamed Dahlia Street. Aspin became Elder Street. Magnolia Street became Eastern Avenue. In 1904, the Seventh-day Adventist Church purchased five acres of land in Takoma Park along Carroll Avenue, Laurel Avenue, and Willow Avenue. The land was located on both sides of the Maryland-District of Columbia border. The land was intended for a church, office building, printer, and residences for prominent members of
8372-523: Was subsequently resolved when the County agreed to preserve the existing campus, and expand in the direction of downtown Silver Spring by building a bridge across the B&O railroad tracks. It was renamed the "Takoma Park-Silver Spring Campus," focused on health, nursing and the arts. The expanded campus included a major new arts center located in South Silver Spring, near the boundary between
8464-583: Was the first city in the United States to extend voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds in city elections. Since then, the City of Hyattsville has followed suit. Takoma Park was founded by Benjamin Franklin Gilbert in 1883. It was one of the first planned Victorian commuter suburbs , centered on the B&;O railroad station in Takoma, D.C. , and bore aspects of a spa and trolley park . Takoma
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