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

Schwartz House
⎯⎯⎯
City Hall

Built: 1895

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, November 3, 2007

1. Schwartz House / City Hall Marker

Inscription. The house that would one day become City Hall was built for Henry Miller, an active businessman in early Gaithersburg, and his wife Rosa. In 1913, the house was bought by Edward P. Schwartz, a Washington, DC real estate broker. Here he established a famous flower garden containing 410 varieties of peonies obtained from all over the world. The beautiful garden which stretched from the railroad tracks to what is now Hutton Street was visited by President Woodrow Wilson and photographed by the National Geographic Society.

The town of Gaithersburg purchased the property in 1958 as a prime location for a civic center in close proximity to the central business district, accessible from all parts of the city with room for expansion. In 1986, to accomodate the needs of a growing city government, construction began on a new office addition on the rear of the house. Making the town's past part of the city's future, the exterior of the Schwartz house was restored to its early restored to its early twentieth century grandeur. The building, with its new city council chambers and second-floor gallery, was dedicated to community use

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on Olde Towne Gaithersburg Day in 1989.

(picture caption): Edward Schwartz in his Peony Garden, c. 1918

Erected by City of Gaithersburg.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #28 Woodrow Wilson series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 39° 8.413′ N, 77° 11.629′ W. Marker is in Gaithersburg, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It can be reached from South Summit Avenue close to Old Towne Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 16 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

Gaithersburg City Hall (Front) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, November 3, 2007

2. Gaithersburg City Hall (Front)

marker: Wells-Robertson House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station (about 600 feet away); The Early Years (about 600 feet away); The Business of Agriculture: Cannery and Mills (about 600 feet away); Serving the Community's Health Care Needs (about 600 feet away); A Center of Culture and Commerce (about 600 feet away); Building The Future (about 600 feet away); The Schwartz House / Gaithersburg City Hall / Schwartz Peony Garden (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gaithersburg.

Mansion and City Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, November 3, 2007

3. Mansion and City Hall

Gaithersburg City Hall (Rear) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, November 3//2007

4. Gaithersburg City Hall (Rear)

Recreation Center and Playground image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, November 3, 2007

5. Recreation Center and Playground

Gaithersburg Concert Pavilion image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, November 3, 2007

6. Gaithersburg Concert Pavilion

Free concerts and plays are often performed here during the summer months.

Flags and Memorial Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, November 3, 2007

7. Flags and Memorial Plaque

The flags (from the viewer's left to the viewer's right) are: United States, Maryland, Montgomery County and the City of Gaithersburg. The emblems on the Montgomery County flag represent the signet ring of Richard Montgomery.

Memorial Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, November 3, 2007

8. Memorial Plaque

The text of the memorial plaque reads: In honor of those who served their country during World War II. Erected by the Gaithersburg Homemakers Club

Locomotive Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Fuchs, November 3, 2007

9. Locomotive Statue

Schwartz House / City Hall Built 1895 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 27, 2017

10. Schwartz House / City Hall Built 1895 Marker

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 27, 2017

11. Schwartz House / City Hall Built 1895 Marker

Edward Schwartz in his Peony Garden c. 1918. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 27, 2017

12. Edward Schwartz in his Peony Garden c. 1918.

Close-up of photo on marker

McShane Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 27, 2017

13. McShane Bell

This 1891 bell which originally hung at the Interdenominational Church of God was given to the City of Gaithersburg in 2001. It is destined to be hung in a projected bell tower to be built in Old Towne Gaithersburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,064 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on November 5, 2007, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 10, 11, 12. submitted on March 1, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 13. submitted on March 2, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.

Schwartz House⎯⎯⎯City Hall

Built: 1895

Schwartz House
⎯⎯⎯
City Hall