Downtown Silver Spring in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Heat Up, Cool Down
Local Institutions
— Silver Heritage Georgia Avenue —
Jerry McCoy, Silver Spring Historical Society
1. Heat Up, Cool Down Marker
From Coal and Horse Feed to Ice Cream, a variety of businesses fronting Georgia Avenue have occupied the corner across Sligo Avenue from where you stand. The earliest documented business was Wilkins & Jordan dealers in flour, feed , hay, grain, wood, coal, fertilizers, and plaster. Howard L. Wilkins and William W. Jordan established their business in 1901, "...when there was but one other house in sight."
By 1917 this business was owned by James H. Cissel president of the Silver Spring National Bank. In 1923 Cissel sold the business to Howard Griffith and Thomas W. Perry, who specialized in coal, feed, and builders' materials.
In 1939 John Nash Gifford founded the Gifford Ice Cream Company when he converted one of the former coal and feed structures at 8101 Georgia Avenue into a plant for the manufacture and sale of Ice Cream. By the time Gifford's closed its doors in 1985, it had become a Silver Spring landmark, serving untold number of ice cream treats and candies. Four years later the business re-opened under new ownership in Bethesda Maryland.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.
Location. 38° 59.425′ N, 77° 1.583′ W. Marker is in Silver Spring, Maryland, in Montgomery County
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Downtown is Born (here, next to this marker); ‘Most Lonesome Spot’ (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Enticing Business (about 400 feet away); Canada Dry Building (about 600 feet away); The 'Mayor' of Silver Spring (about 700 feet away); Visions Realized (about 700 feet away); Finding a Niche (about 700 feet away); The Community of Silver Spring (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Silver Spring.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These two markers share a single post.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 22, 2012
2. Heat Up, Cool Down Marker
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 22, 2012
3. Surrey with the Fringe on Top
A horse-drawn surrey approaches Georgia Avenue from Sligo Avenue, which separates James H. Cissel's flour and feed buildings from the Silver Spring National Bank. Note the Washington, Woodside, and Forest Glenn Railway streetcar tracks near the middle telephone pole. Photo taken on June 21, 1917 by Willard R. Ross. Collection of Silver Spring Historical Society
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 22, 2012
4. A Busy Intersection
The intersection of Georgia and Sligo Avenues as it looked in 1927. The set of tracks crossing Georgia Avenue was spur line allowing materials shipped via the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to be delivered directly to Griffith and Perry's warehouse. Collection of Silver Spring Historical Society
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 22, 2012
5. A Short Commute
Circa 1910 view of Sligo Avenue (also known as Bluestone Road and Blair Road) looking east from Georgia Avenue. James H. Cissel lived in the house shown on the extreme left with the partial front porch. His daily commute consisted of only a few steps to his bank and flour and feed operations. Collection of the Silver Spring Historical Society
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 22, 2012
6. We All Scream for Ice Cream!
Gifford Ice Cream Company as it appeared in September 1948.
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 22, 2012
7. We All Scream for Ice Cream!
Among the many items listed in this circa 1950s menu is a Jumbo Hot Butterscotch Sundae for 90 cents. Collection of the Silver Spring Historical Society
Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 889 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 28, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on December 27, 2012, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
