Silver Spring in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Silver Spring Armory
By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2014
1. Silver Srping Armory Marker
The Silver Spring Armory, completed in 1927, was significant for its association with the Maryland National Guard 29th Division's service during World Wars I and II. It was one of the major civic buildings constructed in Silver Spring during the early years that the community blossomed into an important suburban center.
Architecturally, the building was representative of early 20th century Armory design featuring distinctive medieval detailing with a two-story castellated "head house" and a one-story barrel vaulted perpendicular "drill hall." The arched entry to the "head house" was surmounted by a cast concrete panel which read "MARYLAND NATIONAL GVARD". The Armory was razed in 1998.
Erected 2004 by Montgomery County.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Military • War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.
Location. 38° 59.687′ N, 77° 1.551′ W. Marker is in Silver Spring, Maryland, in Montgomery County. Marker can be reached from Wayne Avenue
By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2014
2. Silver Spring Armory Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Springing Up (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Community Grows (about 300 feet away); The Global Refugee Mural (about 400 feet away); Silver Spring Shopping Center (about 400 feet away); A New Deal in Town (about 500 feet away); You Are Here - 1931 (about 500 feet away); The Silver Theatre (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named The Silver Spring Shopping Center (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Silver Spring.
By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2014
3. Silver Srping Armory Marker
By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2014
4. Silver Spring Armory Marker
"Then as Now"
"Then as Now"
The monument to the Silver Spring Armory site was created by an artist whose heritage includes both African American and Native-American (Cherokee) ancestry. Jerome Meadow's diverse background lead him to express a community's spirit through his collage and abstract work. As a former resident of DC and graduate student at the University of Maryland, Meadows is familiar with Silver Spring's cultural mix. Meadows says "Art, the way I interpret it, lies within the realm (of the spirit) and when used effectively can have a healing impact, a revealing impact, an empowering impact." - Silver Spring Downtown Arts and Entertainment
By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2014
5. "Then as Now"
Silver Spring National Guard Armoy
Custom ceramic tiles and freestanding
Sculpture using architectural elements from
The original armory building
Jerome B. Meadows
Meadowlark Studio
2004
Commissioned by Montgomery County
By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2014
6. Maryland Flag Quarter
Baltimore Colors
Baltimore Colors
"The ultimate sacrilege committed against the Silver Spring Armory was the severing of the concrete bas-relief Maryland State flag into four quadrants. Two of the quarter sections were placed back to back, on this pylon, and erected at one of the parking garage's entrances. The other two quarter sections were similarly placed at the opposite end of the garage. This disrespect would have never been shown if this had been the United States flag. The same etiquette applies to state flags but our Montgomery County Government was/is ignorant of this fact." -- Jerry McCoy, Silver Spring Then and Again, August 20, 2010
By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2014
7. Maryland Flag Quarter
Cross Bottony
Cross Bottony
By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2014
8. Cornerstone
M.N.G.
1927
By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2014
9. Maryland National Gvard
By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2014
10. Silver Spring Armory
By Allen C. Browne, July 4, 2014
11. Wayne Avenue Garage
The National Guard Armory was torn down in 1998 to make way for this parking garage.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 472 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on July 12, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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