Gaithersburg in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Supplying an Agricultural Community

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, November 3, 2007

1. Supplying an Agricultural Community marker

Inscription. Gaithersburg began as an agricultural community. With the coming of the railroad in the late 1800's, markets in Washington, D. C. and Baltimore were opened to area farmers. Wheat, vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy products, and cider could be easily moved to markets in larger cities. The Gaithersburg area flourished and soon became the center of farming activity in Montgomery County. In addition to commercial farming, domestic farming was also common. A family often raised its own chickens, cows, and pigs, and cultivated its own produce. Southern States Co-op opened in the 1930's to serve farmers and the agricultural community at large, selling feed, seed, fertilizer, and farm supplies. The company, based in Richmond, Virginia, offered a much wider variety of products than locally owned businesses. Goods shipped from Richmond to Washington, D. C. were easily transported via railroad to the Gaithersburg store location, which was strategically located near the train station in Olde Towne.

(Photo caption): Southern States, circa 1939

Erected by City of Gaithersburg.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in

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these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 39° 8.502′ N, 77° 11.564′ W. Marker is in Gaithersburg, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It can be reached from South Summit Avenue just south of East Diamond Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg MD 20877, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Early Years (here, next to this marker); The Business of Agriculture: Cannery and Mills (here, next to this marker); Serving the Community's Health Care Needs (here, next to this marker); A Center of Culture and Commerce (here,

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next to this marker); Building The Future (here, next to this marker); The Schwartz House / Gaithersburg City Hall / Schwartz Peony Garden (here, next to this marker); The Gaithersburg School (here, next to this marker); The Summit Hotel (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gaithersburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 6, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,336 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on January 17, 2019, by Bruce Guthrie of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photo 1. submitted on November 6, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.