The Metropolitan Branch and Takoma Park
Geology
This section of the trail is on the border of two physiographic provinces, the Coastal Plain and the Piedmont Region, display traces of two different times on Earth.
The Coastal Plain stretches south and east from where you are standing to the Atlantic Ocean. This area of the Coastal Plain is composed of gravel, sand and silt from the Lower Cretaceous Period (150 million years ago), the last period of dinosaurs and the first period of flowering plants.
The Piedmont Region extends north and west through Silver Spring to Catoctin mountain. This region is much older, dating back to the Early Cambrian Period (Approximately 500 million years ago), There was life for 3 billion years before this time but this period generated the earliest abundance of diverse fossils that represent the lineages of almost all modern animals, sparking scientists to define this time as the Cambrian Explosion.
During the Cambrian Period this area was separated from North America by an ancient ocean and was closer to or even part of Africa. Gradually, over 200 million years, the land collided with North America and created the
this page online
The land continues to change today. Although most changes are too slow to observe in a lifetime, others such as erosion around Sligo Creek and Rock Creek, can be seen after a strong rainstorm.
History
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) completed the Metropolitan Branch in 1873, creating a westward railway connection from Washington, DC to the main line of the B&O. Ten years later Takoma Park began developing as on of DC's first commuter suburbs. The Community straddled the DC/Maryland border, expanding in both directions from the train station. Businesses appeared on 4th Street near the rail crossing and soon after at Carroll and laurel Avenue following the introduction of of trolley lines running into DC and down to Sligo Creek. By 1913, Takoma Park was the largest city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
[Caption:]
The site of the Montgomery College campus across the street had two previous incarnations as the 140-room North Takoma Hotel (left) in 1892 and the Bliss Electrical School (right) in 1908
Erected by City of Takoma Park, Maryland.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 58.94′ N, 77° 1.273′ W. Marker was in Takoma Park, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker was on Takoma Avenue just south of Albany Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Between the Metropolitan Branch Trail and Takoma Avenue. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Takoma Park MD 20912, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. The Metropolitan Branch & Takoma Park (here, next to this marker); Living in Takoma Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Belle Ziegler Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Walt Penney Field (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jesup Blair House (approx. ¼ mile away); Silver Spring Experienced by a Mother and Child, 1861-1865 (approx. ¼ mile away); The Blair Family and their Silver Spring Homes (approx. ¼ mile away); The Blair Family and the Civil War (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Takoma Park.
Related marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 669 times since then and 169 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 14, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 24, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
