MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Transcribed by Denise Wells
Montgomery borders on the central and southern sections of the State, and partaking to some extent of the characteristic features of all three divisions, presents a great variety of surface, soil and resources. The Potomac river forms its western and the Patuxent its northern and eastern boundary, separating it from Howard county. Frederick county is contiguous on the north, and Prince George's county and the District of Columbia on the south. Its area is 508 square miles, of which 175,000 acres are under cultivation, 60,000 in wood, and the remainder unimproved. According to the census of 1890 the population of the country was 27,185, an increase of 2,426 over the census of 1880, or 9.80 per cent. It is divided as follows: White, 17,472; colored, 9,710. The crop statistics in 1880 were as follows: Buckwheat, 3,057 bushels, from 260 acres; corn, 1,020,573 bushels, from 35,287 acres; oats, 59,537 bushels, from 3,126 acres; rye 17,109 bushels, from 1,785 acres; wheat, 625,702 bushels, from 35,673 acres; tobacco, 806,036 pounds, from 1,053 acres. The census of 1890 shows that Montgomery, with one exception, grows more wheat to the acre than any county in Maryland, the average yield being 17 ½ bushels. Washington is the banner county in this regard, yielding 25 ¾ bushels per acre, while Frederick, which follows Montgomery in the order of production, gives an average of 17 bushels to the acre.
Rockville is the county seat and the larges town in the county, having a population of 1,568, an increase of 880 over the census of 1880 or 127.91 per cent.
The county has made great improvement agriculturally in recent years, and is now one of the most prosperous and progressive counties in the State. There is still, however, a good deal of unimproved land, and the county offers unusual facilities for making of comfortable homes for industrious immigrants. The soil is principally red clay sub-soil, but ranges all the way from the rich loam of the river bottoms along the Potomac and its many other streams to the sandy soil near the lower edge of the county. Most of the land is highly improved, and sells for from fifty to a hundred dollars per acre, but there are sections as yet comparatively unimproved of first-rate quality that can be bought for from fifteen to thirty dollars per acre.
The ground is rolling, not hilly, broken enough, however, to keep well watered, but not marshy, with here and there a hill, the southern side of which grow the earliest and sweetest fruits and berries. Wheat, corn and hay, are the staple products, and the amount of these produced to the acre is steadily increasing. In some sections truck gardening is extensively operated, and the markets of Washington receive a large proportion of their fruits, berries and vegetables from this source. The success with which these efforts have been attended, indicates that the markets of Baltimore as well could be profitably supplied. The plentiful supply of clover and timothy which the now fertile land produces, has induced many to operate stock, grazing and dairy farms. The exhibition of stock owned in Montgomery county, displayed at the county fair, was very fine. In Washington many fine horses are owned, and during the summer, when the owners are away, the animals are sent into this county to be kept and recuperated for their use in the winter, and as the owners are willing to pay good prices, considerable money is thus made. Many gallons of milk and cream are daily shipped to Washington, and the B. & O. has made special arrangements to carry the milk, etc., and this with the quantity which is brought to the numerous creameries situated in the county, who that the dairy business has its inducements.
Lying adjacent to the District of Columbia, and connected with it by the Metropolitan Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal and numerous electric railroads, communication with Baltimore, Washington and all parts of the United States, is very convenient. One can easily shop or attend to business in those cities, going and returning the same day. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad has twenty-seven stations to the twenty-nine miles it runs through the county, with a proportionate large number of trains. At present the B. and O. is building a southern connection through the lower part of the country, which will be of great advantage. For shipping purposes the canal is cheap and commodious. There is a convenience in this method of transportation not to be met with in railroads, that of not having to haul to a station, as the whole canal is one depot. The roads are improving, and those met with near the District line and in the northeastern section of the county are worthy of note. Before many years are passed, the whole county will be connected by pikes like that magnificent one built by the United States from Georgetown to the Great Falls in this county. This road is known as the Conduit road from the fact that the water supply of Washington is conveyed from the falls by pipes buried under the roadbed, with the advantage of quick communication with large cities. As the ground is naturally adapted to trucking, this industry will soon develop into immense proportions.
And the climate is in keeping with all else, for winters are just cold enough to kill the disease germs and make sufficient ice for use. The summers are pleasant, and draw large crowds to spend the hot season. The absence of tornadoes, floods, drouths [sic] and infectious diseases show that this county has nothing to fear from its climatic conditions. The physicians of Washington continually send their patients into the county, and the effect of the pure air and water, the fresh fruits and vegetables, is best known by the fact that doctors testify to their appreciation of the benefits derived. Indeed, there have lately been built extensive sanitariums, not, however, for the use of the inhabitants.
The social advantages of this county are beyond question. True worthy, and morality are the standards by which a stranger is measured, and not wealth or ancestral fame.
There are amusements for all sets and classes-athletic sports, hunting and fishing, husking matches, and church entertainments and societies, euchre parties, hops and germans. The influx of wealth has done much to enliven, whereas the natural hospitality and unpretentiousness of the old inhabitants still keep the society within limits unextravagant enough for the entrance of those of moderate means.
No one can complain of the scarcity of churches. Rockville has eight, and yet the neighboring villages do not suffer by comparison. There is scarcely a denomination that has not many comfortable, and, in some instances, elegant edifices, and a new comer need not fear that he will be forced to change his creed for want of a house of worship.
Maryland, with a remarkable school system, has no county in which the children are better taught, the schools kept open longer or situated closer together. The universality of attendance, and the many men who have won fame and fortune without other education than that they obtained from the public schools of this county, are sufficient testimonials of their value. To those wishing a scientific or professional education, the opportunities are remarkable. A number of well-known academies and seminaries afford the best preparation, and the number of students who attend the universities of Washington, going and returning each day, attest the convenience and practicability of this course.
Considering the wonderfully low assessment, the taxation is very low, and lately, when a new court house, costing $50,000 was erected, not a complaining voice was heard. This is good proof that the people do not regard themselves as oppressively taxed. It is remarkable that with the great development the county's debt should remain so small.
This is a great demand for good artisans and farm hands, and excellent wages are paid.
The numerous streams are not surpassed in the water power they afford for all varieties of manufactories and mills, and taking into consideration the low taxation, the short winters and the proximity to raw material and good markets, it is plain there is money for enterprising men, who would direct their efforts to the utilization of the water power. The Great Falls of the Potomac alone have power enough to run all the mills of New England, and a large manufacturing city may confidently be looked for at that point. The large quantity of land that is continually changing hands brings an immense amount of money into this county, and thus makes it much easier for poor.
The development of the deposits of gold, silver, mica and chrome found will add to the wealth of the county. But it is because of the surely great future of Washington that the residents of Montgomery county can rest assured that great and inestimable results will follow.
The effect of proximity to the District of Columbia has already been remarkable. Five or ten years ago there were from 1,300 to 1,400 acres of land, for the most part connected and all lying in the county, sold for $30,000. In the last five years hose same tracts have been resold for $500,000.
The land as a general rule, bordering along the railroads and the district line is too expensive to offer any great inducements for those of moderate means, selling for from fifty dollars to five hundred dollars an acre; but after leaving these lines for a mile or two, good and fairly improved farms can be purchased at from $20 to $30 per acre, and in some sections as low as $10 to $15 an acre. While at present the land immediate to the district and railroads only commands such enormous figures, it is only a matter of a few years when the land more remote will be governed by these prices. And here is the chance for immigrants. If they have enough money to buy a farm of the land selling for from $10 to $30 an acre, they can, with care and industry, make a good living from the start, and in a short time give their farms an attractive appearance; and then, when the boom has spread, as it surely will do, into their immediate neighborhoods, they will be able to dispose of their places for a sum far beyond the original cost. Any one thinking this a visionary scheme need but study the situation to find it a sure, substantial reality.
The Chautauqua Society has lately erected _______ a million-dollar building within the county, on the banks of the Potomac, or "the Rhine of America," as they have expressively named it.
SOURCE: Scharf, J. Thomas, "The natural & industrial resources and advantages of Maryland: being a complete description of all counties of the state and the city of Baltimore: together with an accurate statement of their soil, climate, antiquities, raw and manufactured products, agricultural and horticultural products, textile fabrics, alimentary products, manufacturing industries, minerals and ores, mines and mining, native woods, means of transportation, price of land, cheap living, ready markets, excellent homes, and the material and social advantages and unequaled opportunities Maryland possesses for those seeking homes, and for capitalists who wish to invest in industries that are sure to pay big dividends," C.H. Baughman & Co., Publisher; 1892, pp. 64-69.