Garrett Park is a 154-acre residential community in Montgomery County, Maryland, located on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad south of Rockville. It is bounded by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad tracks to the northeast, Rock Creek Park to the southeast, and a combination of property lines and cul-de-sacs to the south and west. The community's diverse architecture and landscape features distinguish it from more homogeneous neighboring developments.
Originally developed by the Metropolitan Investment and Building Company in 1887, Garrett Park was envisioned as a sylvan residential community. The developers divided the land into quarter-acre lots, with a grid pattern on the south side and winding, curved streets on the north side to follow the topography. The town's design was the work of William Saunders, a prominent 19th-century American horticulturist and the first Superintendent of Grounds for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Saunders was known for his introduction of exotic plants to the United States, including the navel orange and Australian eucalyptus globulus. The community's landscape is characterized by tall shade trees, flowering trees, shrubs, and dense plantings that dominate the streetscapes.
Garrett Park showcases a range of popular architectural styles from the 1890s through the 1970s. It contains approximately 340 structures, with about 40 predating World War I, many of which are vernacular interpretations of the Queen Anne style.
Key architectural periods and examples include:
Garrett Park remains largely residential, with the exception of a historic combination post office and store and the town hall, which was originally an Episcopal church. The town offers recreational facilities including Wells Park (a forest with a playground), a second 2.5-acre municipal park, three tennis courts, a basketball court, a baseball field, and a swimming pool. The Chapel Town Hall (1897) at 10814 Kenilworth Avenue, now owned by the town, continues to be used for civic services, with its bell announcing special events. The overall condition of the district is considered good, with restoration or renovation rarely necessary.
Garrett Park exemplifies an American living pattern that revolutionized land use through the advent of railroads, allowing urban workers to live in a rural environment. It is a manifestation of the suburban phenomenon that profoundly altered American culture. The town was created as a "show place for suburban living" by the Metropolitan Investment and Building Company, formed by Henry N. Copp in 1887.
Street Names
Kenilworth Avenue • Montrose Avenue • Rokeby Avenue • Strathmore Avenue • Waverly Avenue