Brookeville, Maryland

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Brookeville, Maryland
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
motto =

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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Brookeville, Maryland


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Maryland
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Montgomery
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
leader_name =
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established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 0.3
area_land_km2 = 0.3
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 0.1
area_land_sq_mi = 0.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 120
population_density_km2 = 360.5
population_density_sq_mi = 933.6
population_blank1_title = Demonym
population_blank1 = Brookevillian

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 133
elevation_ft = 436
latd = 39 |latm = 10 |lats = 50 |latNS = N
longd = 77 |longm = 3 |longs = 29 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 20833
area_code = 301
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 24-10225
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0589824
website =
footnotes =

Brookeville is a town located twenty miles (32 km) north of Washington, D.C. and two miles (3 km) north of Olney in northeastern Montgomery County, Maryland. Brookeville was settled by Quakers late in the 18th century, and was formally incorporated as a town in 1808. The town served the local agricultural industry, with a toll road built to connect it with markets in Washington, D.C. During the War of 1812, when British troops burned the White House, President James Madison sought refuge in Brookeville on August 26, 1814. During the American Civil War, Brookeville, along with nearby Sandy Spring, was a stop on the underground railroad. Brookeville's population was as high as 3,272 in 1920, though it declined with the advent of the automobile which provided greater mobility for people. Since the 1950s, Brookeville has developed rapidly into a suburban community. As of the 2000 census, the Town of Brookeville had a population of 120.

The United States Postal Service defines a larger area as Brookeville, than what falls within the town boundaries. This includes areas extending to the Patuxent River and the Howard County border, and including the small hamlets of Sunshine and Brighton. Reddy Branch Stream Valley Park surrounds the Town of Brookeville, with the creek flowing west to east towards the Patuxent. Other parks and recreational areas include Rachel Carson Conservation Park, Patuxent River State Park, and the Triadelphia Reservoir. Areas to the north of Brookeville in Howard County and Carroll County have also experienced rapid population growth. Georgia Avenue carries a substantial volume of traffic through the town, from these areas to the north into Montgomery County and Washington, D.C. In 1966, county planning officials recommended that a bypass be built to carry commuters around the town. The project remains on the shelf today, due to lack of funding.

Today, Brookeville is an affluent residential community, with a large portion of residents employed with the government or related professional jobs. The town is governed by a three-person town commission, while surrounding unincorporated areas are administered by the county. Historically, the Brookeville Academy was an important educational institution for the community. In 1883, Sherwood High School opened as a Friends school and became a public school in 1909, serving Brookeville and other nearby areas.

History

Quakers Richard Thomas and his wife Deborah Brooke founded the town of Brookeville in 1794, and named it after her family.cite web |url=http://www.sandyspringmuseum.org/e210.html |title=Brookeville: Gem from the Past |publisher=Sandy Spring Museum |accessdate=2007-12-14] The town was established on land inherited by Deborah Brooke from her father Roger Brooke IV, son of an influential Quaker landholder, James Brooke. At the time, Brooke was the largest landholder in what would become Montgomery County. [cite web |url=http://townofbrookevillemd.org/history.html |title=A Brief History |publisher=Town of Brookeville |accessdate=2007-12-14] Thomas also set-up a mill, along the Reddy Branch, which cuts through the town. Caleb Bentley opened a store and a post office in 1802, becoming the First Postmaster of Brookeville. The town's charter was approved in 1808, though not formally issued until 1890.

Brookeville served as a market town for the agriculture industry in the surrounding area. During the nineteenth century, Brookeville was home to several mills, the Brookeville Academy (initially a boys school), [cite web |url=http://www.sandyspringmuseum.org/c410.html |title=Brookeville Academy/Marywood |publisher=Sandy Spring Museum |accessdate=2006-07-12] a post office, blacksmith's shop, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Salem Methodist Protestant Church, and a number of shops. Newlin's Mill, located on the west side of town, processed high-quality castor oil and ground limestone for plaster. Thomas Mill was located on the east side of town. To transport goods more easily to markets in Washington, D.C., a prosperous farmer established a company in 1849 to build a toll road to connect Brookeville to the Seventh Street Pike. The turnpike was sold to the State of Maryland in 1914, and later became Georgia Avenue. [cite book |author=Barrow, Healan, Kristine Stevens |title=Olney: Echoes of the Past |date=2000 |publisher=Willow Bend Books |pages=pp. 42-43]

Brookeville was also home to Thomas Moore, Jr. who, along with Caleb Bentley, was instrumental in creation of the United States Department of Agriculture. Moore is also credited as the inventor of the first refrigerator, and coining the term. He created a portable contraption to transport butter and other products to sell at markets in Washington, D.C. His products commanded a high price, due to the extra freshness of the products at the market. [cite news |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A04EEDC1039F933A25757C0A960958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 |title=If Refrigerators Could Speak, The Stories They'd Tell |publisher=The New York Times |author=Barron, James |date=1996-04-10] Moore lived near the town, at Longwood Manor, which was built in 1817.

War of 1812

During the War of 1812, when the British burned parts of Washington, D.C., the Federal government and troops fled the capital. President James Madison first fled to Virginia, but then turned north. He arrived in Rockville at 6 p.m. on August 26, 1814, expecting to find General John Henry Winder and his troops. They already proceeded on towards Baltimore.cite book |title=In The Greatest Solemn Dignity - The Capitol's Four Cornerstones |author=Allen, William C. |publisher=Government Printing Office |date=1995] Madison continued on eastward and arrived in Brookeville on horseback. Madison reportedly carried with him a strongbox, which contained the entire U.S. treasury. On the night of August 26th, he stayed in the home of Caleb Bentley, whose wife Henrietta Thomas was close friends with Dolley Madison.cite news |url=http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2007-08/2007-08-14-voa27.cfm?CFID=171645957&CFTOKEN=64046631 |title=You Won't Need Much Time to Tour This 'Capital' |publisher=VOA News |date=2007-08-15 |author=Landphair, Ted]

Madison stayed up all night, dispatching orders, while soldiers remained on guard outside. [cite book |title=The American Historical Register |author=Browning, Charles Henry |date=1895 |chapter=President Madison's Retreat |publisher=Historical Register Pub] After the British left Washington they sailed to nearby Baltimore, where they attacked Fort McHenry and were repulsed. Upon hearing that news, Madison returned to Washington. Madison wrote a note to his wife that morning.

Late 19th century

The Oakley Farm, located on the western edge of Brookeville, thrived during the 1700s and 1800s. Log cabins, dating from the 1820s, were built on the Oakley/Dorsey farm, to house slaves and later free black families. [cite news |title=Road Markers Offer History at Any Speed; Stories They Tell Usually Interesting, Often True |author=Rauschart, Lisa |publisher=The Washington Times |date=2006-11-02] [cite web |url=http://www.montgomeryparksfnd.org/fg-oakcab.htm |title=Oakley Cabin |publisher=Montgomery Parks Foundation |accessdate=2007-12-14] The Oakley Cabin is now maintained by the Montgomery County Department of Parks. [cite web |url=http://www.mc-mncppc.org/parks/park_of_the_day/jun/parkday_jun30.shtm |title=Oakley Log Cabin |publisher=Montgomery County Department of Parks |accessdate=2007-12-14] A number of other 17th and 18th century cabins still exist on private property in the Brookeville area.

During the American Civil War, George B. McClellan sent Union troops (First and the Ninth Corps) through Brookeville, on their way to Antietam. This was one of three groups of troops that came from different directions towards Antietam. [cite book |title=Death in September: The Antietam Campaign |author=Jamieson, Perry D. |publisher=McWhiney Foundation Press |date=1995 |pages=p. 26] The Quakers played an instrumental role in aiding escaped slaves on the underground railroad. Nearby Sandy Spring was an important stop. Historians suggest that the Madison House was also used as a stop on the underground railroad during the Civil War. Part of the Madison House once served as the town's post office. A false stone wall in the room hid a staircase that descended in two directions, including into a hidden area in the basement where escaped slaves could hide. [cite web |url=http://pathways.thinkport.org/library/sites4.cfm |title=Pathways to Freedom: Maryland & the Underground Railroad |publisher=Maryland Public Television |accessdate=2007-12-14]

20th century

In 1910, the Salem United Methodist Church was built to replace another church that was destroyed by fire, and the church cemetery has been there since the mid-1800s.cite news |title=Brookeville: Where time stands still |author=Richman, Michael |date=1996-08-27 |publisher=The Washington Times] By 1900, the mills and shops had shut down, and Brookeville remained a residential town. [cite web |url=http://www.mdihp.net/ |title=Brookeville Historic District |publisher=Maryland Historic Trust |work=National Register of Historic Places Inventory] In 1915, the Bentley family sold the Madison House to Roger Brooke, a leader of the Quaker community. The house later changed hands, owned for some time by Elisha Hall, a principal at the Brookeville Academy, banker Remus Riggs, and Gene Archer, a NBC television personality.

The automobile gave people more mobility and changed the market, with the nearby town of Olney taking prominence over Brookeville. Since the 1950s, the nearby town of Olney has rapidly developed, putting pressure on the community. The Brookeville Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.cite web |url=http://www.marylandhistoricaltrust.net/nr/ |title=National Register Listings in Maryland |publisher=Maryland Historical Trust |accessdate=2006-07-12] Brookeville's historic designation has helped it retain historic character. [cite news |url=http://www.gazette.net/stories/030806/olnenew200730_31940.shtml |title=One man’s fight to preserve the past |date=2006-03-08 |publisher=The Gazette |author=Hogan, Terri]

Geography

Brookeville is located in northeastern Montgomery County, Maryland, close to the Patuxent River and the Howard County border. The town is located convert|2|mi|km north of Olney, Maryland. The Town of Brookeville is formally incorporated, and covers an area of 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²). Areas beyond the formal town boundaries, extending to the Howard County boundary, are defined as Brookeville by the USPS, all falling within the 20833 zip code. Located within the zip code are the small hamlets of Sunshine and Brighton. Georgia Avenue, which is a major north-south route through this part of Maryland, passes through the Town of Brookeville. Brookeville Road connects the town with Laytonsville and other areas to the west. Brighton Dam Road extends to the east, crossing New Hampshire Avenue, over the Patuxent River, and into Howard County.

Georgia Avenue, which begins in Washington D.C., is a two lane road when it passes through the Town of Brookeville, with a stop sign and tight turn that takes it through the historic district. In 1989, the road carried 8,000 vehicles daily, a number that has increased to 18,000 vehicles each weekday in 2007. The traffic mainly consists of commuters from Carroll County and Howard County. [cite news |title=Commuters Cause Big Traffic Problems Passing Through Little Towns |publisher=The Washington Post |date=1994-09-06 |author=Lipton, Eric] The traffic volume on Georgia Avenue is vastly more than the road was designed to handle.cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/30/AR2007113000952_pf.html |title=Charms and Challenges Of a Tiny Old Town |author=Siegal, Ann Cameron |publisher=The Washington Post |date=2007-12-01] Brookeville residents have advocated for a bypass road to be constructed, to take traffic around the town.cite news |title=Brookeville: Montgomery's Link to Its Past |publisher=The Washington Post |date=1989-11-18 |author=Levy, Claudia] The bypass road around the town has been on the planning stages for some time, since being recommended by county planning officials in 1966. [cite news |title=News Near You |publisher=The Washington Post |date=1992-07-16] The project remains on hold, with design, engineering and right-of-way acquisition not yet done, due to lack of funding, as well as environmental concerns that hinder progress. [cite news |title=Bad Place to Build a Road |publisher=The Washington Post |date=1994-10-02 |author=Salas, Alfred L.] Reddy Branch, a tributary of the Patuxent River, flows along the north and eastern edges of the town. Reddy Branch Stream Valley Park is located along Brookeville Road, to the west of the town, and to the east along Brighton Dam Road. Hawling Hills Park and Patuxent River State Park are located along New Hampshire Avenue, north of Ashton and to the east of Brookeville. Patuxent River State Park is used for hunting, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. [cite web |url=http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/patuxentriver.html |title=Patuxent River State Park |publisher=Maryland Department of Natural Resources |accessdate=2007-12-14] Rachel Carson Conservation Park, located to the north, between Brookeville and Laytonsville, is undeveloped and has a number of hiking trails. [cite web |url=http://www.mcparkandplanning.org/parks/park_of_the_day/may/parkday_may12.shtm |title=Rachel Carson Conservation Park |publisher=Montgomery County Department of Parks |accessdate=2007-12-14] The Triadelphia Reservoir, created by the Brighton Dam, is located along the Patuxent River. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission maintains convert|6000|acre|km2, in and around the reservoir, which are open to the public for recreational purposes. [cite web |url=http://www.wsscwater.com/info/wrup.cfm |title=Watershed Recreational User Program |publisher=Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission |accessdate=2007-12-14] The Reservoir is a popular recreation spot that is suitable for fishing, kayaking, and other activities. [cite web |url=http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/fishingreport/fishingrptArchive/frarchives2004/0602freshwater.html |title=Freshwater Fishing Report |date=2004-06-02 |publisher=Maryland Department of Natural Resources |accessdate=2007-12-14] Mount Zion Park is a small park with playgrounds, ball fields, tennis courts, and picnic facilities. [cite web |url=http://www.mc-mncppc.org/Parks/park_of_the_day/apr/parkday_apr22.shtm |title=Mount Zion Park |publisher=Montgomery County Department of Parks |accessdate=2007-12-14] Within the town itself, Powers’ Woods Park is a new convert|2|acre|m2|sing=on park that is slated to be located near a recently restored one-room schoolhouse. [cite news |title=Brookeville closer to new outdoor common |url=http://www.gazette.net/stories/022107/olnenew201220_32323.shtml |author=Hogan, Terri |date=2007-02-21 |publisher=Olney Gazette]

Demographics

In 1920, the town of Brookeville had a population of 3,272. Since then, with the advent of the automobile, the town's population has declined. [cite book |title=Abstract of the Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920 |author=U.S. Bureau of the Census |publisher=Government Printing Office |date=1923 |pages=p. 71] As of the 2000 census, the town had a population of 120, including 44 households. There were 44 households out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 18.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The population density was 933.6 people per square mile (356.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.50% White, 0.83% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.50% of the population. The median age was 39 years. The median income for a household in the town was $88,629, and the median income for a family was $93,444. The per capita income for the town was $43,483. There were 7.1% of families and 5.5% of the population living below the poverty line.

The larger area defined as Brookeville by the postal service, within the 20833 zip code, has a population of 6,259 as of the 2000 census. The median age is 37.5, and the racial composition is 84.1% Caucasian, 6.7% African-American, 6% Asian, and 3.6% Hispanic. The Brookeville area has a very high rate of home ownership, with 93.3% of its 2,063 households owning homes, which compares to a national average of 66.2% for home ownership. A large portion of the homes in Brookeville were built during the 1990s, as well as a large number built in the 1970s. As reported in the 2000 census, 30% of homes within the Brookeville zip code were built during the 1990s, 15.6% during the 1980s, 35.6% in the 1970s, 13% between 1940 and 1970, and 5.7% prior to 1940. 54% of the population had moved into their homes during the 1990s, 22.9% in the 1980s, 17.5% in the 1970s, and 5.6% have lived in the same home since prior to 1970.cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/ |title=American Fact Finder |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=2007-12-15] The median purchase price for homes in the Brookeville area in 2006 was $546,500, which compares to $475,000 for all of Montgomery County, and $243,750 for the entire United States. [cite web |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/realestate/features/2007/housing-outlook/property-values/montgomery.html |title=Housing Outlook 2007 - Regional Property Values, Montgomery County |publisher=The Washington Post |accessdate=2007-12-15] [cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/const/priceregq.pdf |title=Median and Average Sales Price of Houses Sold by Region |format=pdf |publisher=United States Census Bureau |accessdate=2007-12-15]

The population in the Brookeville area is well-educated, with 57.6% of those age 25 or older having a college education, which compares to the national average of 24.4%. The median household income is $103,879, compared to a national average of $41,994. Per capita income is $40,540 compared to $21,587 for all of the United States. 76.2% of the population over age 16 is in the labor force. Average commuting time is 35.9 minutes, with 84.1% driving alone, 9% carpooling, 2.3% using public transportation, and 3.1% working at home. Most people are employed in management, professional, and related occupations, with 59.5% in those types of jobs. 19.3% are employed in sales and office occupations, 10.7% in service occupations, 5.7 in construction, extraction, and maintenance occupations, and 4.9% in production, transportation, and material moving occupations. 24.4% of those in the labor force are employed as government workers.

Government

Most of Montgomery County consists of unincorporated areas, however Brookeville is one of a few places that are formally incorporated. Brookeville was incorporated as a town in 1808 and the charter formally issued in 1890. Town commissioners oversee the government, handling street maintenance and other matters, as well as town planning. The town adopted a Historic Preservation Ordinance in 1986, which guides town planning and restricts development within the town.cite book |url=http://townofbrookevillemd.org/docs/wt.pdf |title=Walking Tour: Town of Brookeville |author=Hahn, Roberta, and Josephine Unglesbee |publisher=Town of Brookeville |date=1994] The town commission consists of three members, who are elected for two-year terms. Michael Acierno was elected in May 2007 as president of the Brookeville Town Commission. [cite news |url=http://www.gazette.net/stories/052307/olnenew215415_32334.shtml |title=Acierno to serve as ‘mayor’ of Brookeville |author=Hogan, Terri |date=2007-05-23 |publisher=Olney Gazette] Brookeville is represented in the Maryland House of Delegates by District 14 representatives, Anne R. Kaiser (D), Karen S. Montgomery (D), and Herman L. Taylor, Jr. (D). Rona E. Kramer (D) represents Brookeville in the Maryland State Senate. Brookeville is located in Maryland's 4th congressional district, which is represented in the United States Congress by Donna Edwards (D). [cite web |url=http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/ |title=Maryland Election Districts |publisher=Maryland State Archives |accessdate=2007-12-14]

Education

The Brookeville Academy, a preparatory school established in 1814, was one of the first schools in the county. [cite book |title=Leading Events of Maryland History |author=Montgomery Gambrill, John, M. Bates Stephens |publisher=Ginn and company |date=1904 |pages=p. 262] Among those educated at the Academy, include Dr. Henry Howard, who established Howard County, [cite journal |title=The Transactions of the American Medical Association |author=American Medical Association |date=1874 |pages=p. 533] and William Edward Magruder, great-grandson of Colonel Zadok Magruder. [cite book |title=Year Book of the American Clan Gregor Society |publisher=American Clan Gregor Society |date=1912] In 1869, the Brookeville Academy relocated to Merrywood, located on nearby farmland outside of town. The original building has since been used as a meeting facility by the American Legion and other organizations. On June 2, 1909, the Public School Board took over running the school. In 1988, the original building was sold to the Town of Brookeville, which maintains the building as a historic site and use for events.cite web |url=http://townofbrookevillemd.org/acad.html |title=The Brookeville Academy |author=Lemon, Anne Marie |accessdate=2007-12-14]

The Longwood School for Boys was a private school that was established in 1946 by George F. Kimmell, who had bought Longwood Manor. In 1952, Kimmell leased the school facilities to the Civil Defense Administration, which used it for military training. The school was vacated in 1963, and remained vacant until 1978, when it was converted into a community recreation center. [cite book |author=Barrow, Healan, Kristine Stevens |title=Olney: Echoes of the Past |date=2000 |publisher=Willow Bend Books |pages=pp. 117-118] The Longwood Recreation Center is run by the Montgomery County Recreation Department. [cite web |url=http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rectmpl.asp?url=/content/REC/recipix/Longwood_cen.asp |title=Longwood Community Center |publisher=Montgomery County Recreation Department |accessdate=2007-12-15]

Brookeville is now part of the Montgomery County Public Schools system, and is served by Sherwood High School, which first opened in 1883 as a Friends school and became a public school in 1909. [cite book |author=Barrow, Healan, Kristine Stevens |title=Olney: Echoes of the Past |date=2000 |publisher=Willow Bend Books |pages=pp. 76-77] Most of Brookeville, including the town proper, is located in the service area for Rosa Parks Middle School and Greenwood Elementary School. Some areas, bordering Howard County, are located the service area for William H. Farquhar Middle School and Sherwood Elementary School. Up until 1992, when Rosa Parks Middle School opened, all of Brookeville was within the Farquhar service area. [cite web |url=http://gis.mcps.k12.md.us/MCPSMapper/ |title=MCPS Internet Mapping System |publisher=Montgomery County Public Schools |accessdate=2007-12-14]

References

External links

* [http://www.townofbrookevillemd.org/ Town of Brookeville]
* [http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_restoration_homes_areas/article/0,1797,HGTV_3787_2507254,00.html Madison House] - HGTV Dream Builders: Episode DRB-911