Historic Takoma Newsletter?- April 2025

Now is a great time to join in shaping the future of Historic Takoma!?

Historic Takoma, Inc. is a membership-based, all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit organization, founded to preserve, protect, and share the history of Takoma Park, Maryland and the Takoma Park neighborhood of the District of Columbia. More information about the organization can be found at?.? If you have any questions about the board or the?recruitment process, contact us at?historictakoma@....

Application Process

Interested applicants should fill out this brief form below and submit it to Historic Takoma, Inc., not later than April 21, 2025.?Historic Takoma's current board members will review the applications and offer interviews to qualified candidates.? A slate of proposed directors will be selected from among those interviewed.?The full board will vote on the candidates in May 2025.??

See the full??and?.

April 3, 2025, marks the 135th anniversary?of Takoma Park’s incorporation as a town in the State of Maryland. In 1883,? B.F. Gilbert had launched his “sylvan suburb” with the purchase of 90+ acres of undeveloped land centered on a small railroad stop. The parcel was split between Maryland and the?District of Columbia.?

From that moment Gilbert attracted a small community of federal workers drawn by the idea of holding jobs in DC while enjoying a more appealing home life in Takoma. Other arrivals opened stores or provided necessary services for the community. Some of Gilbert's real estate friends also built houses here.

By 1889, community members had formed the Improvement Association. One of their goals was to seek?incorporation as a town?from the Maryland State Legislature. This would give?Takoma Park the legal authority to borrow money for needed improvements?such as?roads, sidewalks, street lights, water and sewers. A town government could also?collect taxes and establish local laws and regulations.?

Even though Gilbert was not in favor of this move, the project went forward. On April 3, 1890, the final bill gained approval from the legislature and Gov. Elihu E. Jackson. Takoma Park, with a population of 164, became the Town of Takoma Park. Read the full law as passed?, beginning at mid-page.

This action, however,?did not apply to?the community on the DC side, which became the?neighborhood of Takoma Park DC.?Despite the jurisdictional divide the two Takomas retained close social connections for many decades.

Next came the election of a town council composed of a mayor and four councilmembers. On May 5, residents who had lived in Takoma Park for at least three months went to the polls to choose between two slates. Gilbert ran for mayor at the head of the Takoma Park slate,?running against?the opposing Peoples’ Party ticket.?

Takoma?remained a 'town'?until 1948, when another generation of young businessmen pushed to modernize government operations, and changed the name to City of Takoma Park.

This approximately one hour walking tour explores how houses are built in response to their sites adjoining Sligo Creek Park. The architectural design of homes along the stretch of Sligo Creek between Maple and Piney Branch is uniquely modern and adopts the styles, ideals and the evolving design trends of 20th and early 21st century residences. The tour does not include the interiors of the homes. Wear appropriate shoes for hard surfaces and dirt trails. Meet on Maple Avenue just east of Sligo Creek Parkway (look for President's Tree marker).? Contact tour guide Marty Shore at?martyps6@...?with any questions.

Sunday, April 6, 1:00-4:00 PM
Historic Takoma Reading Room?
7328 Carroll Avenue

Friday, April 11, 5:00-7:00 PM
Historic Takoma Happy Hour
7328 Carroll Avenue
Join us for? wine and conversation about the history of Takoma Park.

Sunday, April 13, 11:00-12:00 PM
Houses of Sligo Creek Walking Tour
See details above.

Sunday, April 20, 1:00-4:00 PM
Historic Takoma Reading Room
7328 Carroll Avenue

Saturday, April 26, 4:00-5:00 PM
Walking Tour of Old Takoma
Meet at the corner of Cedar and Carroll Streets NW (rain or shine), for an hour-long?stroll around early parts of Takoma Park, led by Historic Takoma board member Richard O'Connor.?No fee but donations to Historic Takoma are appreciated.??

….that the first bridge across Sligo Creek was?for pedestrians only?