College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
McDonnell House
City of College Park
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 16, 2018
1. McDonnell House Marker
Inscription.
McDonnell House. City of College Park. The McDonnell House was built in 1896 by Henry B. McDonnell as a 2½-story, cross-gabled frame house with wraparound porch, ornamental gable shingles and slate roof. It is a good example of simplified Queen Anne-style domestic architecture. A former carriage house and a chicken coop still exist on the expansive lot along with pecan, walnut and chestnut trees. Mr. McDonnell, a professor of Agricultural Chemistry at the Maryland Agricultural College (1981-1939), was the first Dean of Arts and Sciences for the University of Maryland and also served as the first chief of the College Park Volunteer Fire Department (1925-1936). The house remained in the McDonnell family until 1978., [Aside:] , [Image caption:] ,
Photo courtesy College Park Volunteer Fire Department. , Chief McDonnell tests out the hose of a 1929 Chevrolet fire truck on the roof of his own carriage house. Because of its small size and weight, the truck was particularly useful for fighting brush fires, which accounted for a high percentage of the fire department's calls at the time.
The McDonnell House was built in 1896 by Henry B. McDonnell as a 2½-story, cross-gabled frame house with wraparound porch, ornamental gable shingles and slate roof. It is a good example of simplified Queen Anne-style domestic architecture. A former carriage house and a chicken coop still exist on the expansive lot along with pecan, walnut and chestnut trees. Mr. McDonnell, a professor of Agricultural Chemistry at the Maryland Agricultural College (1981-1939), was the first Dean of Arts and Sciences for the University of Maryland and also served as the first chief of the College Park Volunteer Fire Department (1925-1936). The house remained in the McDonnell family until 1978.
[Aside:]
[Image caption:]
Photo courtesy College Park Volunteer Fire Department
Chief McDonnell tests out the hose of a 1929 Chevrolet fire truck on the roof of his own carriage house. Because of its small size and weight, the truck was particularly useful for fighting brush fires, which accounted for a high percentage of the fire department's calls at the time.
Erected by Anacostia Trails Heritage Area.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.
Location.
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38° 58.762′ N, 76° 55.85′ W. Marker is in College Park, Maryland, in Prince George's County. Marker is at the intersection of Dartmouth Avenue and Knox Road, on the left on Dartmouth Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7400 Dartmouth Avenue, College Park MD 20740, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 16, 2018
2. McDonnell House
Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2019. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 251 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 16, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
