Rockville in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
1891 Red Brick Courthouse
Montgomery County
Montgomery County's third courthouse. Built in 1891 the "Old Red Brick Courthouse" has become the symbol and architectural monument of old Rockville. Designated a historic building on July 19, 1965 by the Montgomery County Historical Society, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1823.
Location. 39° 5.026′ N, 77° 9.083′ W. Marker is in Rockville, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It can be reached from Courthouse Square near Washington Street at West Montgomery Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29 Courthouse Square, Rockville MD 20850, 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 the North Atlantic Region, 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: Bicentennial of Maryland's Ratification of the Constitution (here, next to this marker); Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock and His Men (a few steps from this marker); Rockville (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Montgomery County Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); Witness to History (within shouting distance of this marker); Gettysburg Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Red Brick Courthouse
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. Montgomery County Court House (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Court House Square (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Confederate Monument (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named Rockville (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Red Brick Courthouse (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . Montgomery County Courthouse Historic District. Maryland's National Register Properties website entry (Submitted on March 12, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.)
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, January 14, 2006
2. Old Red Brick Courthouse
Marker can be seen in this photo to the left of the staircase.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, February 12, 2017
3. 1891 Red Brick Courthouse Marker
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, June 29, 2013
4. The Old and The New
The tower of the Red Brick Courthouse surrounded by Rockville's modern architecture.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, June 29, 2013
5. Stained-glass Window in the Red Brick Courthouse
Photographed by Tom Fuchs, April 1, 2006
6. Courthouse Square Park Plaque
City of Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland. Dedicated 1997.
Photographed by Allen C. Browne, June 29, 2013
7. The Red Brick Courthouse
Montgomery County's third courthouse symbolizes more than 200 years of continuous government activity on this site. Since construction in 1891, the Red Brick Courthouse has held courts and county and state offices.
Frank E. Davis designed the courthouse in “Romanesque Revival” style, with broad arches, square tower, sandstone trim, and the Smead system of heating and ventilation. The contractor was Thomas P. Johns.
Over the years, the courthouse survived interior alterations, modernization, and plans for demolition. In 1988, Peerless Rockville formed “Friends of the Red Brick Courthouse” to raise funds to restore the courtroom to its former grandeur. Historic documents and photographs supplemented physical evidence to guide restoration, funded by generous citizens and businesses. In 1996, the courtroom returned to its original use.
Plaque inside the Red Brick Courthouse
Frank E. Davis designed the courthouse in “Romanesque Revival” style, with broad arches, square tower, sandstone trim, and the Smead system of heating and ventilation. The contractor was Thomas P. Johns.
Over the years, the courthouse survived interior alterations, modernization, and plans for demolition. In 1988, Peerless Rockville formed “Friends of the Red Brick Courthouse” to raise funds to restore the courtroom to its former grandeur. Historic documents and photographs supplemented physical evidence to guide restoration, funded by generous citizens and businesses. In 1996, the courtroom returned to its original use.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 18, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,253 times since then and 91 times this year. Last updated on November 5, 2010, by Timothy Carr of Birmingham, Alabama. Photos: 1. submitted on June 6, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on January 18, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 3. submitted on March 5, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4, 5. submitted on March 12, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 6. submitted on April 5, 2006, by Tom Fuchs of Greenbelt, Maryland. 7. submitted on March 12, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
