Bethesda in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Tennallytown and Rockville Railroad
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 2, 2014
1. Tennallytown and Rockville Railroad Marker
In 1890, the Tennallytown and Rockville Railroad ran along Old Georgetown Road to Bethesda Park, a favorite amusement spot in the area. The park entrance was located on the corner of what is now Old Georgetown Road and Sonoma Road.Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
Location. 38° 59.209′ N, 77° 5.904′ W. Marker is in Bethesda, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker can be reached from Old Georgetown Road (Maryland Route 187) just east of Arlington Road, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in Chevy Chase Gardens Plaza near 7700 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda MD 20814, United States of America. Also accessible from 7605 Arlington Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7605 Arlington Road, Bethesda MD 20814, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Georgetown Road (here, next to this marker); Locust Grove (within shouting distance of this marker); This Complex of Buildings and Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also
this page online
Additional commentary.
1. Bethesda Park
"Bethesda Park was founded as a trolley park in Montgomery County by entrepreneurs Richard Drum and John Beall in 1891. The 50-acre park featured flying horses, swings, a shooting gallery, a dance hall, a zoo, and an indoor botanical garden. By its second season, its owners had added a restaurant and a $10,000 carousel. A roller coaster and Ferris wheel soon followed, as did a variety of midway games, a theater, and a bowling alley. An electrical fire caused the park's demise in 1894." -- Jason Rhodes Maryland's Amusement Parks, 2005, page 8.
— Submitted April 28, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, 
Maryland.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 2, 2014
2. Tennallytown and Rockville Railroad Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 2, 2014
3. Tennallytown and Rockville Railroad Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 17, 2014
4. Old Georgetown Road and Sonoma Road
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, April 17, 2014
5. Woman's Club of Bethesa
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, September 13, 2012
6. Tennallytown and Rockville Railroad
In the 1890's Tenallytown trolley cars, such as this one, made their way from Georgetown to the District boundary at Western Avenue using overhead electric power. An elaborate underground electric system was required for all downtown trolley systems; however at that time, Georgetown was not considered 'downtown.'Close-up of photo on "Trolley to Trail" Marker HMdb No. 61805
Credits. This page was last revised on September 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 705 times since then and 133 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 28, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
