Housing and Community Development Office: 7500 Maple Ave. Takoma Park, MD 20912 301.891.7119 301.270.4568 FAX Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday

In 1883 B.F. Gilbert purchased 100 acres of land in Washington DC, and Maryland. His goal was to create a "sylvan suburb of the National Capitol" and it was one of the first 3 railroad-accessible suburbs in the DC area. His initial development was successful and he bought an additional 1000 acres of nearby land in 1886. The site was chosen for its healthful qualities.

It is at 350 feet in elevation, high enough to avoid the malaria and mosquitoes that prevailed in Washington DC at the time. It also had a clean water supply and access to Sligo Creek. By 1907, a sanitarium and two hotels were built to take advantage of the healthy environment. Early residents included numerous federal government workers, many of whom were horticulturalists. Takoma Park resident B.Y. Morrison, a former director of the National Arboretum and an azalea developer, was the inspiration for the City's decision to name itself "Azalea City" in the early 1960s.

At the turn of the century, the City was home to numerous local businesses and had three trolley lines, the last of which was shut down in 1960. As of 1913, Takoma Park was the largest city in Montgomery County, and was home to a number of "firsts" in the County, such as the first volunteer fire department (1894).

For more information about the history of Takoma Park, please visit the Takoma Park Library or follow these links:

• Library
• Historic Takoma

Because of this unique history, much of B.F. Gilbert's original development has been designated the Takoma Park Historic District. Many of the original residences still exist. They embody a rich variety of American architectural styles from the late 19th to early 20th centuries.

Where is the Takoma Park Historic District?

The Takoma Park Historic District covers several City neighborhoods. It includes the commercial districts in Takoma Old Town and Takoma Junction, both of which are along Carroll Avenue. This map shows the district boundaries. The district is recognized by the State and the County and is eligible for County and State historic preservation programs including tax credits.

The Takoma Park Historic District, with slightly different boundaries, is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This map shows the boundaries for the nationally-designated portion of the district, which is eligible for Federal historic preservation programs. Another National Register of Historic Places listing that has one house within the City is the Takoma Avenue Historic District which consists of five houses designed by Charles Goodman.

The District of Columbia has also designated part of its Takoma neighborhood as an historic district, making the area one of the only multi-jurisdictional historic districts in the region. The Takoma Park Historic District is the largest in Montgomery County.

How did Takoma Park's Historic District become established?

The National Service describes the process for establishing an Historic District . In the late 1970s and early 1980s, community leaders in Maryland and DC created applications for Takoma Park and Takoma DC. The goal at the time was to preserve the neighborhoods against large development projects. In Takoma Park, the main concern was the North Central Freeway project that was proposed to cross the area (it was defeated, in large part because of efforts by local residents). Today, the districts provide opportunities to improve and maintain the historic fabric, and to preserve the unique nature of the area.

The Takoma Park Historic District was designated in 1976 in Maryland, and in 1983 in the District. Both of these districts are on the National Register of Historic Places.

At the local level, Montgomery County performed a survey of historic resources in 1976. It published the results in the Locational Atlas and Index of Historic Sites. Based on these results, the County has been systematically researching historic resources and designating County historic districts where appropriate. The Takoma Park Historic District's boundaries, as recognized by the County, were established in 1992. The 1992 Master Plan for Historic Preservation (available in hard copy from Montgomery County Park and Planning in Silver Spring at 8787 Georgia Avenue) describes the historic resources in Takoma Park.

What does it mean to live or work in an Historic District?

Living or working in an historic district means that you have access to resources for preservation, such as renovation tax credits, that are not available in other areas. There are also services available to help you renovate property in an historically accurate way. The County requires exterior plans to meet specific preservation requirements. These relate primarily to materials used and building techniques. If you are planning to renovate a building in an historic district that is not itself an historic building, you may have fewer requirements to meet. In all cases, any form of exterior building construction or demolition, including fences and exterior landscape, in a historic district must first be reviewed by the Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission in order to protect and preserve Montgomery County's historic and architectural heritage. For more details about these requirements, please consult with the County's Historic Preservation Commission .

For more information about the tax credit program, please refer to these sites:

• The Federal historic preservation tax credit program is available for income-generating properties, including commercial buildings and apartment buildings that are located in the national historic district.
• The Maryland historic preservation tax credit program is available for all types of properties located in the Montgomery County historic district and/or in the national historic district. This credit is refundable, meaning that if your credit is greater than the taxes you pay, the State will send you a check for the difference.
• Click here for a recent Washington Post article about state historic tax credit programs.

How does the City preserve and enhance its historic resources?

Facade Guidelines

Adopted in October 1999, the Commercial District Facade Ordinance regulates building and sign improvements or modifications within the Old Town and Takoma Junction areas. The ordinance sets forth specific design standards for new developments or modifications to existing structures and establishes minimum maintenance standards for commercial properties within the area. The standards mirror, in large part, those of the Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

The City's Facade Advisory Board (FAB) was established in 1999 to provide guidance and assistance to commercial building and business owners in the Takoma Junction / Old Town area. The FAB helps to facilitate the permitting process and its recommendations are forwarded to the Historic Preservation Commission for consideration prior to issuing an Historic Area Work Permit. It also helps to identify potential funds and tax credits to offset the cost of a project.

The FAB is comprised of seven appointed members who are residents of Takoma Park. The Board meets at 7:00pm bi-monthly. Meetings are open to the public. To place an item on the Board's next agenda, please contact the Housing and Community Development office at 301.891.7119.

Main Street Program

In 2004, Takoma Park was awarded a Main Street designation from the State. Takoma's "main street" from the Takoma Junction in Takoma Park, MD to the Takoma Theater in Takoma, DC - Known as Main Street Takoma - reflects our history, pride and prosperity. As a traditional downtown business district, it also showcases commercial investment in a unique historic setting.

The goal of Main Street is to keep Old Takoma vibrant through volunteer efforts of four committees made up of the Old Takoma Business Association (OTBA), community organizations, business owners and Takoma residents. The imagination, creativity, and determination of the Takoma community offers us great potential.

If you are interested in getting involved, contact Roz Grigsby at 240-253-4229 or execdirector@takomaonline.com.

Design Committee: Enhances the physical appearance and increases the cohesiveness of Old Takoma. Activities include improving facades and window displays.

Organization Committee: Builds consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals with a stake in Old Takoma.

Promotion Committee: Markets Old Takoma's Main Street to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local residents, and visitors.

Economic Restructuring Committee: Strengthens Old Takoma's economic base and finds new ways to expand it.

What is the role of the Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)?

Montgomery County's Historic Preservation Commission hears cases relating to specific projects in historic districts. It also works with its staff to speak to public groups, testify before the Planning Board and County Council, answer questions from individual residents, and visit proposed historic sites and historic properties where owners want to make changes.

If you are interested in attending HPC meetings, the commission meets twice a month on the second and fourth Wednesdays. Meetings are in the evenings and always open to the public. They are held at the Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning Auditorium, 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring.

What is an Historic Area Work Permit (HAWP)?

A HAWP is a special permit required for all exterior construction and demolition and for tree removal in an historic district. If your property is in an historic district, you must obtain a HAWP before you can apply for a building permit from the County. You must also apply for a HAWP if you are removing a tree from property in a historic district. Click here for more information about tree permitting requirements. You can apply for a tree removal permit from the City at the same time as you apply for a HAWP, but the tree removal permit will not be granted until you have successfully received a HAWP. For more information about the permitting process for a proposed construction project, please refer to the Development Review section of this website.

What is the process for obtaining an Historic Area Work Permit (HAWP) in Montgomery County?

HPC processes all applications for a HAWP. The HPC website provides details. For commercial development projects in the historic district, the City requires a review of plans by its Facade Advisory Board. This must be completed before a HAWP application is submitted.

What preservation-related resources are available?

• Main Street Takoma is an organization that works with volunteers to maintain and improve the business district. They administer a facade improvement grant program for commercial properties in the Main Street.
• Historic Takoma is a citizens' group dedicated to protecting the historic districts in Takoma Park, Maryland and in the Takoma neighborhood of the District of Columbia.
• Preservation Maryland provides advocacy, outreach and funding efforts to protect and use the State's historic resources.
• Maryland State Historic Preservation Office studies and helps to protect Maryland's historic and pre-historic resources.
• The National Trust for Historic Preservation promotes preservation around the country through community development initiatives, providing leadership training, managing Trust Historic Sites, and promoting heritage tourism. It also occasionally sponsors events in the Washington DC area.
• The National Main Street Program , an initiative created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, provides information and resources for downtown revitalization efforts.
• The National Building Museum has a lectures series that often includes events relevant to preservation.
• Preserve net is a collection of resources related to funding for historic preservation projects, relevant federal regulations, and scholarly research.