Damascus Maryland Upper Patuxent Historic Preservation

Damascus is located in upper Montgomery County Md. My family has lived here since 1978, my husband's since 1969. We've watched many things change over the years, the Jimmie Cone and Tom and Ray's restaurant are still thriving establishments, Bellison's is long gone. This time of the year there used to be an enormous holiday wreath placed in the middle of town, where now there is a shopping center. This past summer Rt 124 was connected to Rt 27 with sidewalks added, making the town more pedestrian friendly, and now an enormous wooden snowman has been added on this new road for our holiday cheer.

The Upper Montgomery Planning Board has been looking at local landmarks for preservation. Here is a lovely image of the Etchison store in the Etchison Historic District taken in 1935:

Damascus High School discontinued it's agriculture classes in 1989, but still takes great pride in it's football, and has a terrific music program. The pottery and ceramics classes are vastly better than when I went to school there, I love seeing the kid's pieces displayed throughout the building.

There are also many hidden (in plain sight) historical treasures. This region used to be a thriving producer of tobacco, just up the road from our home is the last surviving tobacco house in Montgomery County, it is located on the intersection of Long Corner Road and Mullinix Mill Road. Hopefully the historic planners will be able to save this farm, I love knowing it's significance as I drive past it so nice to slow down and enjoy what we have. Here's a video produced to highlight local history:

http://vimeo.com/23924542

..and here is the Montgomery Planning page for the Upper Patuxent:

http://www.montgomeryplanning.org/historic/upperpatuxent/