Downtown Silver Spring in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Jesup Blair House
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, June 18, 2012
1. Jesup Blair House Marker
Francis Preston Blair brought his family to Washington from Kentucky at the invitation of President Andrew Jackson to publish a newspaper supporting his administration. Between 1842 and 1854, the Blair family built three summer homes in Silver Spring. This structure initially served as a summer home for Francis Preston Blair's son, James, a Naval Officer, who made his fortune during the 1848 Gold Rush in California. James and Mary Blair named their home the Moorings, a nautical reference. During the Civil War, Soldiers camped at the Moorings. The last Blair to own the house, Violet Blair Janin, Daughter of James, designated the house for public use in her will and changed the name to Jesup Blair in honor of her brother. From 1934 to 1957, the house served the community as the Silver Spring Public Library.
Erected by Montgomery County Park Commission Department of Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #07 Andrew Jackson, and the Maryland, Montgomery Parks
this page online
Location. 38° 59.093′ N, 77° 1.482′ W. Marker is in Silver Spring, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It is in Downtown Silver Spring. It is at the intersection of Georgia Avenue (Maryland Route 97) and Jesup Blair Drive, on the right when traveling north on Georgia Avenue. The marker is just north of the front of Jesup Blair house. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 Jesup Blair Drive, Takoma Park MD 20912, 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: Silver Spring Experienced by a Mother and Child, 1861-1865 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Blair Family and their Silver Spring Homes (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, June 18, 2012
2. Jesup Blair House Marker at Jesup Blair House
Another marker is no longer nearby. Living in Takoma Park (was approx. Ό mile away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . Jesup Blair House. National Register Nomination form. (Submitted on December 16, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 22, 2007
3. Jesup Blair House
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, June 18, 2012
4. Old Chimney
This old chimney in the back yard of Jesup Blair house is probably the last remnant of a small brick school house known as the Blair Cottage.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 22, 2007
5. Passage
A nearby sculpture by Linda DePalma at the entrance to Jesup Blair Park
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, November 6, 2011
6. Jesup Blair Park sign
Jesup Blair House -->
Jesup Blair Drive
M-NCPCC Department of Parks
Montgomery County
900
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,810 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on July 19, 2026, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 16, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
