Springing Up

Springing Up. Masonic Temple. At three stories, this was Silver Springs tallest building. Occupying the prime corner lot at 8435 Georgia Avenue was the Masonic Temple, home of the Silver Spring Lodge No. 215 A.F. and A.M. of Maryland. (Ancient and Free Accepted Mason). About three hundred participants attended the June 18, 1927 cornerstone-laying ceremony, during which officials placed within the cornerstone various objects, including a 1927 silver dollar, a Bible, United States and Maryland flags, the roster of Lodge membership, and copies of the Takoma News and Evening Star newspapers. , A Chevrolet and Nash automobile dealership originally occupied the ground floor of the Masonic Temple, while the second floor contained a large dining hall, kitchen, and office. The Lodge's ceremonial hall occupied the top floor. , Sparkling Spring to Community , Welcome to the Silver Spring, Georgia Avenue, one of our two original main streets, was constructed in the 19th century as the Seventh Street Turnpike, a dirt road connecting Washington City to Brookeville, Md. A village named Sligo, was established in the 1830s by Chesapeake and Ohio Canal workers from County Sligo, Ireland, was located at the corner of Georgia and Colesville Road, our other main street. A mica-flecked spring discovered in 1840 by U.S. presidential advisor Francis Preston Blair while riding his horse Selim, inspired the name of Blair's estate Silver Spring, constructed near the spring's site. , Silver Spring's original Baltimore and Ohio Railroad station , built in 1878, formed the nucleus from which today's community radiated. The majority of these early-to-mid century buildings still grace Georgia Avenue and Colesville Road and their many side streets. Explore the area and discover the fascinating history of the pioneering entrepreneurs, businesses, and institutions that developed our vibrant and diverse community. , Learn more about Historic Downtown Silver Spring at www.sshistory.org