Downtown Silver Spring in Montgomery County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Blair House

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 17, 2004

1. Blair House Marker

Inscription. In 1842, Francis Preston Blair built a country house very near this park and divided his time between his 300 acre farm and his city residence "Blair House", which is now the President's official guest house in Washington, D.C. Blair was a powerful newspaper publisher and a friend of President Andrew Jackson.

Blair called his estate "Silver Spring", after a beautiful natural spring on the property which bubbled up through mica rock, giving it the appearance of being lined with silver. The town that grew up near Blair's farm became known as Silver Spring.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #07 Andrew Jackson series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 38° 59.357′ N, 77° 1.755′ W. Marker is in Silver Spring, Maryland, in Montgomery County. It is in Downtown Silver Spring. Marker can be reached from Newell Street near Kennett Street. Marker is in Acorn Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8045 Kennett St, Silver Spring MD 20910, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Early's Raid on Washington (a few steps from this marker); Silver Spring B & O Railroad Station (a few steps from this marker); Silver Spring Armory 1914

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(a few steps from this marker); Blair Mansion: Silver Spring / Blair Station Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Silver Spring Shopping Center (within shouting distance of this marker); The Silver Spring (within shouting distance of this marker); The Community of Silver Spring (within shouting distance of this marker); Canada Dry Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Silver Spring.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 22, 2014

2. Blair House Marker

Blair House Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 11, 2010

3. Blair House Mural

Mame Cohalon's Mural on the Discovery Communications building formerly Caldor.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, November 11, 2010

4. Blair House

Detail of Cohalon Mural

Francis Preston Blair image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 22, 2014

5. Francis Preston Blair

Detail of Cohalon Mural.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, July 11, 2010

6. Blair House

Photo from the nearby "Blair Mansion: Silver Spring / Blair Station Post Office " marker.

Discovery Communications image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen C. Browne, June 22, 2014

7. Discovery Communications

Formerly Caldor

Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 578 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 28, 2014, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.