Takoma Park, Maryland

19th century

Takoma Park was founded by Benjamin Franklin Gilbert in 1883.^[7]: 331 It was one of the first planned Victorian commuter suburbs,^[8] centered on the B&O railroad station in Takoma, D.C., and bore aspects of a spa and trolley park.

Takoma was originally the name of Mount Rainier, from Lushootseed [təqʷúbəʔ] (earlier *təqʷúməʔ), 'snow-covered mountain'.^[9] 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'.^[10] The city of Tacoma in Washington state is also named after Mount Takhoma (Mount Rainier).

Gilbert's first purchase of land was in spring 1884 when he bought 100 acres (0.40 km²) of land from G.C. Grammar, which was known as Robert's Choice.^{[7]: 331 [11]} 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.^[7]: 331 At the time, much of the land was covered by thick forest, some of which was cleared away in order to lay out and grade streets and housing lots.^[12] At its founding, most lots measured 50 by 200 feet (15 by 60 m)^[12] and were sold for $327 to $653 per acre.^[13] By August 1885, there were about 100 people living in Takoma Park, including temporary summer residents and year-round permanent residents.^[12] Gilbert himself lived in a wooden house on a stone foundation, with 20 rooms and a 65-foot (20 m) tower.^[12]

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.^[7]: 335 He also purchased land from Francis P. Blair, Richard L. T. Beale, and the Riggs family.^[11]

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^{[clarification needed]}, 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.^[7]: 331

By 1888, there were 75 houses built in the community,^[13] and the number increased to 235 homes by 1889.^[7]: 335 In 1889, Gilbert purchased several acres of land along Sligo Creek from a physician in Boston named Dr. R.C. Flower, in order to build a sanitarium on the land.^[14] By this point, Takoma Park stretched 1,500 acres (5 km²).^[11]

The deed of each of the original houses prohibited alcohol from being made or sold on the property,^{[11][13][7]: 335} a prohibition that continued in the city until 1983.^[15] Takoma Park incorporated as a town on April 3, 1890.^[16] The first town election was held on May 5, 1890, and Gilbert was elected mayor and J. Vance Lewis, George H. Bailey, Daniel Smith, and Frederick J. Lung were elected to the town council.^[17]

The Watkins Hotel was built in 1892.^[18] A fire destroyed the town's recently built commercial district and the Watkins Hotel in 1893.^[18] Gilbert's North Takoma Hotel was built later that year, advertising the pure spring water nearby its 160 rooms.^[18]

Many of the streets were originally known as avenues. When 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.^[7]: 335 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 was renamed Dahlia Street. Aspin became Elder Street. Magnolia Street became Eastern Avenue.^[19]

Early 20th century

In 1904, the Seventh-day Adventist Church purchased five acres of land in Takoma Park along Carroll Avenue, Laurel Avenue, and Willow Avenue.^[20] The land was located on both sides of the Maryland-District of Columbia border.^[20] The land was intended for a church, office building, printer, and residences for prominent members of the church.^[20] 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.^[21] 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.^[22] The church purchased fifty acres of land along Sligo Creek in Takoma Park to build the new headquarters.^[23] The land was away from downtown Washington and had clean water available from a natural spring located at present-day Spring Park.^[24] For many decades Takoma Park served as the world headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church,^[25] until it moved to northern Silver Spring in 1989.^[24]

In 1908, North Takoma Hotel was bought by Louis Denton Bliss, who turned it into Bliss Electrical School.^[18] Months later, a fire destroyed the building, and Bliss rebuilt the school at another site.^[18] The school was eventually bought by Montgomery County where it became the site of Montgomery College's Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus.^[18]

Mid 20th century

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 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.^[26]

This controversy also raised 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".^[27] 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.^[28]

Prior to 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 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."^[29] 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.^[30]

Much of the old town Takoma Park was incorporated into the Takoma Park Historic District; listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.^[31]

Late 20th and early 21st century

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 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 the city of Takoma Park. There was a majority of votes, 219 out of 313, in favor of annexation to the city.^[32]

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.^[33] Following subsequent approval by both counties' councils and 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.^[34] This process became known as Unification.^[35]

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 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.^[36]

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 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,^[37] 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,^[38] which went into effect March 1, 2014,^[39] and bans synthetic pesticides and requires organic lawn management on all city lands.

In 2018, 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.^[40]

Neighborhoods by ward

Takoma Park has many small neighborhoods. There are approximately fifty neighborhood listservs.^[42]

• Ward 1
  • Hodges Heights
  • Old Takoma a.k.a. the Philadelphia-Eastern Neighborhood
  • North Takoma
• Ward 2
  • B.F. Gilbert Subdivision (an extension of Old Town)
  • Glaizewood Manor
  • Long Branch-Sligo
  • South of Sligo
• Ward 3
  • SS Carroll Neighborhood, named after the addition made by Samuel S. Carroll^[43][44] Also known "The Generals" streets: Grant Ave, Lee Ave, Sherman Ave, Sheridan Ave.
  • Pinecrest
  • Takoma Junction
  • Westmoreland Area
• Ward 4
  • Maple Ave apartment district
  • Ritchie Ave
  • SS Carroll Neighborhood
• Ward 5
  • Between the Creeks (part of the greater Long Branch / East Silver Spring area centered along Flower Ave)
• Ward 6
  • Hillwood Manor
  • New Hampshire Gardens

Takoma Avenue Historic District

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.

2010 census

As of the census^[46] of 2010, there were 16,715 people, 6,569 households, and 3,904 families residing in the city. The population density was 8,036.1 inhabitants per square mile (3,102.8/km²). There were 7,162 housing units at an average density of 3,443.3 per square mile (1,329.5/km²). 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 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 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.

2000 census

As of the census^[47] of 2000, there were 17,299 people, 6,893 households, and 3,949 families residing in the city. The population density was 8,152.4 inhabitants per square mile (3,147.7/km²). There were 7,187 housing units at an average density of 3,387.0 per square mile (1,307.7/km²). 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 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.^[48] 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who 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 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.

Nearby libraries

• Takoma Park Maryland Library is one of the few municipal libraries in suburban Maryland.
• Takoma Park Library, part of the District of Columbia Public Library system, was the first neighborhood library in Washington, D.C. and a Carnegie library.^[59]
• Long Branch Library in Silver Spring is part of the Montgomery County Public Libraries.

Institutions

The Sam Abbott Citizens Center, Takoma Park's former city auditorium, has been refurbished as a community theater and gallery.^[60] 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 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.^[61] 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 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."^[62] The hospital had been in operation for over a century, having been founded as the Washington Sanitarium overlooking Sligo Creek in 1907.^[63] 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 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 the three jurisdictions.^{[citation needed]} 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.^[64]

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 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.^{[citation needed]} 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 the affectionate nickname Tapioca United.^{[citation needed]}

Mayor

Takoma Park is governed by a city council composed of a mayor and council members for each of six wards. The current mayor of Takoma Park (the 24th) is Talisha Searcy (mayor since 2022).^[75]

Voting

In the November 5, 1991, election the voters approved a referendum (1,199 for and 1,107 against) to change the Takoma Park City Charter "to permit residents of Takoma Park who are not U.S. citizens to vote in Takoma Park elections."^[76]

In the 2005 election, an advisory referendum to adopt instant-runoff voting (IRV, also called "ranked choice voting") for municipal elections passed with 84% approval. In 2006, the City Council amended the City Charter to incorporate IRV, making Takoma Park one of a small but growing number of municipalities across the nation to adopt IRV (and the first in Maryland to do so).^[77][78]

In the 2009 election, Takoma Park used the Scantegrity voting system. This marked the first time an open source voting system was used in a public sector election in the United States, as well as the first time a system with end-to-end verifiability was used.

In 2013, Takoma Park became the first city in the U.S. to allow sixteen- and seventeen-year-olds to vote.^[5]

Convicted felons on parole and probation were also given the right to vote in Takoma Park elections in 2013.^[5]

In 2017, the Takoma Park City Council changed the City Charter to schedule City elections in even numbered years (called "Election Synchronization") beginning in 2020. The Council elected in 2017 would serve a three-year term.^[79]

In 2020, Takoma Park held its first ever vote-by-mail election, with 6549 ballots counted, more than 2 1/2 times the number of votes in the 2015 and 2017 elections.^[80]

Federal government

The United States Postal Service operates the Takoma Park Post Office,^[81] as well as the Langley Park Post Office; the latter has a Hyattsville, Maryland postal address.^[82][83][84]

Primary and secondary schools

Colleges and universities

• Washington Adventist University, a private liberal arts university
• Montgomery College (Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus) (a 2-year institution)

Roads and highways

Several state highways serve Takoma Park. The largest of these is Maryland Route 650 (New Hampshire Avenue), which is the only six-lane thoroughfare running within city limits. New Hampshire Avenue continues into central Washington, D.C. and primarily serves through-traffic to the east of the city. Maryland Route 193 (University Boulevard) serves as the major suburban shopping strip, skirting the city on its northeast edge. Other state highways serving Takoma Park include Maryland Route 410, Maryland Route 320 and Maryland Route 195, all of which serve as local connectors to neighboring areas.

Public transportation

Being part of Montgomery County, Takoma Park is served by both the Ride On bus system, and by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which provides bus and rail service to the Maryland and Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.

The Takoma Metrorail station, also a Ride On and Metrobus hub, sits in the heart of the Old Takoma Main Street, in Washington, D.C., two blocks from the Maryland line.

The Takoma Langley Crossroads Transit Center is situated just outside the city border, at the intersection of University Boulevard and New Hampshire Avenue, also a location for a future Purple Line station.

The 9-mile (14 km) Sligo Creek Trail is used for recreation by bicyclists and pedestrians, and much of the roadway segment within the City of Takoma Park is closed to motor vehicles Fridays through Sundays. The Takoma Park segment of the Metropolitan Branch Trail, a rail trail that parallels the Red Line, is complete. Trail-building is planned to connect that segment with the completed portion that runs south to Washington Union Station and to planned segments running north to Silver Spring, Maryland with a connection to the 12-mile (19 km) Capital Crescent Trail.