Robert Hayes Mc Neill was a 40 year old Washington DC attorney from North Carolina, living with his wife Cora and 2 Children on the “Mc Neill Farm” – Silver Spring in 1918.  At this time in the 1900’s Silver Spring was mostly open land and forests dotted with a few farms and 3 Large Country Estates. 

In 1923 Robert Mc Neill subdivided his farm into lots that today is Robert H. Mc Neills’ Addition to Silver Spring Park. 

The lots were sold to a few different builders with E Brooke Lee’s North Washington Real Estate company ending up with most of the lots.  Building started at the beginning of the Depression in 1932-33. 

The old circa 1900’s farmhouse on the Mcneill property is still there, having been updated several times in the last century. 

Most of the 137 Homes in the neighborhood were built in the early to mid 1930’s and are prized for their unique character and period architectural detail.  No two houses are exactly alike.  This is no cookie cutter neighborhood. 

The homes in Mc’Neills include unique brick and slate cape cods, colonials and Tudor style houses. Hardwood Floors, Fireplaces, arches, high ceilings and porches were standard ammenities in most of these charming houses.  The homes have wide alley’s behind them with garages, another feature that was common in the 1930’s era.

The Boundaries of McNeills Subdivision are: Dale Drive to the south, Cedar Street to the north, Deerfield Avenue on the east and Dartmouth Avenue on the west.

This Great location is just steps to Nolte Park (playground, several ballfields and picnic area), Bullis Park and four blocks to Sligo Creek Park. Walking distance to the local public elementary & middle schools, both with a French Immersion program. It’s only ¾ mile to Metro and the MARC train, and a few Blocks away is the Silver Spring town center with the new civic building & Veteran’s plaza, ice rink, shops, restaurants, entertainment, and farmers market. The site of the upcoming, state-of-the-art Silver Spring Library is only four blocks away. McNeill’s Neighborhood is the ultimate walkable neighborhood with the perfect balance of urban and suburban living.

Public School Info for McNeills Subdivision – Silver Spring  20910

Sligo Creek Elementary School
Silver Spring International Middle School
Downcounty Consortium (DCC)

*School information is as reported on the MCPS school finder site. As directed by MCPS, this information shall not be relied upon without a call to the MCPS Boundary Line at 301-279-3331.

  Homes in this neighborhood sell quickly - Check out the most recent Homes SOLD in Mcneills Addition

Most of E Brooke Lee’s addition eventually became the commercalized area of Downtown Silver Spring and South Silver Spring.  There are residential single family homes left that make up the Blair Subdivision with some sections called Blair/ Takoma.  The boundaries of the residential sections of Blair and Blair Takoma are roughly:  Sligo Avenue to the South, Philadelphia Avenue and the Montgomery College Campus to the North, Fenton Street to the West and Piney Branch Road on the East.   

Within Walking Distance: 
All the great ammenites of Downtown Silver Spring!  Silver Spring Metro Station (Red Line), Downtown Silver Spring, Restaurants, Shopping, Veterans Plaza, Ice Skating Rink, year-round farmers market, NOAA, Discovery Channel Headquarters, Montgomery College, The New Montgomery College Performing Arts Center, Whole Foods, Safeway, Giant Food, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, Sligo Creek Park, many delightful “pocket parks” and much more.

Public Schools:
East Silver Spring Elementary School (K-4)
Piney Branch Elementary
Sligo Creek Elementary

Takoma Park Middle School

High School: Home School is Montgomery Blair High School
Downcounty High School Consortium – Choice Process: Blair, Einstein, Kennedy, Northwood, or Wheaton high schools 

*Note: always Check the Montgomery County School Assignment Locator for the specific school a child will attend that is assigned by street address.

Full of wonderful old timey bungalows, some colonials, american four squares, victorian farmhouses and cape cods, this neighborhood borders on Downtown Silver Spring on one side and Takoma Park on the other.   The Blair – Blair/Takoma Subdivision is considered part of East Silver Spring.

Blair and Blair Takoma Home Sales 2011

11 single family homes Sold

Average List Price – $507,855
Average Sold Price – $480,045

Lowest Sale Price – $350,000
(a small 2 Bedroom 1 Bath 1928 Bungalow)
Highest Sale Price – $701,000
(a large expanded and completely renovated 5 Bedroom 4 Bath 1923 Bungalow)

Average Days on Market – 41

Check out Homes for Sale Now in Blair Subdivision, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

I heard a rumor on Twitter today, which was confirmed by Silver Spring Patch, that Silver Spring’s Jaws will not be in the sky this summer. 

Apparently Chompie is going to be given a rest this year, but the big shark will be back in all it’s glory, for next year’s 25th Anniversary Celebration of Shark Week.

South Four Corners is a desirable location close to Forest Glen Metro Station and Downtown Silver Spring.  Walking distance to recently renovated “Woodmoor Shopping Center”, a very friendly “Neighborhood” Safeway Store and the ever popular Corner Pub.

Bordered by Sligo Creek park with an abundance of nature, hiking-biking trails
and recreation. This neighborhood has a very active Civic association, many events such as an annual COMMUNITY DAY, Halloween Parade and neigborhood yard sale.  There are a lot of young families with children, a babysitting coop, a Large playground and community center on Forest Glen Road.  There is a unique “small town” feel within the neighborhood of South Four Corners.

The Houses of South Four Corners

Developed Around the Original Argyle Country Club (Now Sligo Public Golf Course) before the Beltway bisected the country club grounds. This is the reason for the Sudivision names in South 4 Corners such as, “Country Club View”, “Fairway” and “Argyle Forest”.  The Oldest Houses in South Four Corners date back to the early 1930’s. 

There are 5 houses in South Four Corners that make up a Montgomery County ”Historic District”.  They are the “Polychrome Houses” built by John Joseph Early in 1934 and 1935. The houses are outstanding examples of the Art Deco Style with richly ornamented appearance and relatively rare examples of pre-cast concrete panel constuction in single family homes for the time period. 3 polychrome houses are on Sutherland Road and 2 of the polychrome houses
face Colesville Road near the exit ramp to the Beltway.  A Silver Spring Blogger wrote this article about the Polychrome Houses.  A Recent Article in the Washington Post  is about these houses – from Montgomery County The Historic Polychrome House District Article and from 2005 another Washington Post article . 

Popular House Styles in South Four Corners are the Cozy Cape Cods, Storybook Tudors and Traditional classic Colonials built  before, during and just after WWII.  During the post war building boom years, the 1950’s and 60’s brought newer mid century modern ramblers and split levels to complete the neighborhood.  There are approximately 1,100 Single Family Homes within the Neighborhood boundaries of South Four Corners.

Public Schools in South 4 Corners
The South 4 Corners Neighborhood is served by 2 School Districts:
Elementary Schools
Oakland Terrace Elementay School
Sligo Creek Elementary School
Middle Schools
Silver Spring International
Sligo Middle School
High Schools
Northwood High School
Albert Einstein High School
*At the high school level the Downcounty consortium is available giving students a choice regarding their academic area of study. The five high schools in the Downcounty cluster include Montgomery Blair, Albert Einstein, John F. Kennedy, Northwood and Wheaton.

Home Sales

South Four Corners Real Estate – 2010
34 Homes were Sold in 2010
Average Listing Price – $401,866
Average SOLD Price – $398,735
Lowest Sold Price – $250,000
Highest Sold Price – $574,900
Average Seller Contribution – $5,130
Average Days on Market – 54 

Search Homes Currently for Sale in South 4 Corners Silver Spring,
Maryland 20901

Community spirit, the roar of the crowd and the excitement of youthful competition all combine at a neighborhood swim meet. What better way to spend a summer evening than gathering around your local pool in a group effort to be part of an event that promotes fellowship and fun.  Swim Teams in Community Pools of Silver Spring , compete as division members of the Montgomery County Swim League (MCSL).  Being a member of a swim team in Silver Spring is a great way for kids to make friends at the pool, share a teambuilding experience, and compete in a healthy, active sport over the summer.  Some of the pools also have Dive Teams that compete in the Montgomery County Diving League.

Most of the Pools in Silver Spring  offer great Family Oriented Social Events such as Pool Camp Out night, Ice cream socials, pizza night, teen night, family movie night, float night, talent shows and more.

Check out this list of links to some of the best Silver Spring Neighborhood Pools and Swim Clubs:

Northwest Branch Pool – Home of the Northwest Branch Dolphins Swim Team
 
Glenwood Recreation Club – Home of the Glenwood Tigers Swim Team and Dive StTeam  
 
Calverton Swim Club – Home of the Calverton Chargers – Also has a Dive Team, Volleyball League, Horseshoes and Basketball Court
 
Forest Knolls Pool – Home of the Seahawks Swim Team
 
Daleview Pool – Home of the Daleview Swim Team
 
Franklin Knolls Pool – Home of the Gators Swim Team
 
Hillandale Swim and Tennis Association – Home of the Hillandale Hellcats Swim Team - Also offers 2 Lighted Tennis Courts, a practice wall and Tennis Camp

Oakview Pool - Home of the Oakview Octopi Swim Team – The Oakview Pool was the first community pool in Montgomery County and celebrated  its 50th year in 2007
 
West Hillandale Swim Club – Home of the Dolphins Swim Team
 
Twin Farms Swim & Tennis Club – Home of the Twin Farms Tigers Swim Team, Dive Team, Tennis Team and Tennis Camp
 
Robin Hood Swim Club - Home of the Robin Hood Swim Team – Also has a Dive Team and Tennis Team
  
Kemp Mill Swim Club – Home of the Kemp Mill Kangaroos

This backyard backs to an alley in  McNeill’s neighborhood of Silver Spring,   It was a cool thing to watch this small back yard space transfomed into such an abundant oasis, in a neighborhood that is just 2 blocks from the Downtown Silver Spring CBD. 

This was really a bare small backyard just a few years ago.  Every inch of space has been used cleverly, (even part of the alley) for the landscape and plantings.  Even though there is a lot of space used for gardening, there is still a driveway to the garage and a large gazebo used for outdoor dining and fun.

It is still early in the growing season and I love watching Edamarie’s garden grow, fill in and florish through the spring, summer and into fall for the past couple years.

Backyard Bounty is a local Silver Spring  Business that designs, builds and maintains kitchen gardens and sustainable landscapes.

Check out the Backyard Bounty Website with more photos including the Front Yard of Backyard Bounty

 The older sections of the neighborhood of Sligo Park Hills (sections 1 & 2) that run from Sligo creek up to Piney Branch Road might have the best displays, due to a resident that worked with the Director of the National Arboretum to hybridize azaleas.   

Stuart Armstrong lived on Park Crest Drive in Sligo Park Hills from 1938 till his death in 1970.   Armstrong was  an avid amateur horticulturalist who served as president of the American Horticultural Society between 1957 and 1960.  

He was said to have given plants to his neighbors in Sligo Park Hills as gifts.   There is an azalea named “Stuart Armstrong” grown mostly in the mid atlantic and the south. 

Over a period of more than 30 years, Armstrong amassed a sprawling collection of  azaleas in his yard overlooking Sligo Creek Park.

Homes for Sale Now in Sligo Park Hills, Silver
Spring, Maryland 20910

The estate was originally sited on over 140 acres facing what is now Georgia Avenue.  Imagine a property that originally stretched from Georgia Avenue in the front, to past Sligo Creek in the back and from Colesville Road to present day Bonifant Street on the sides.   The house was accessed by a long drive from Georgia Avenue (then called Westminster Road).  The driveway is now the present day Pershing Drive.  The original GW Riggs house was brick, built in the Second Empire Style with a handsome mansard roof.   At this time the area was known as Sligo, it was not known as Silver Spring yet. 

The Riggs family sold their Silver Spring Farm in July of 1864, a week after the torching and plundering of the Silver Spring area in a skirmish by Confederate and Union troops.  The Riggs estate was generally unscathed by the skirmish, except for the loss of some “hay forage”, vegetables and a valuable ox.
 
The second owners were William and Helen Thompson.  William Thompson was a prominent Washington businessman who was retiring from a plumbing and gas fitting business.  Thompson was also vice president of the Metropolitan National Bank and had financial interests in Steamboats and Real Estate. 

The Thompsons enlarged the house by adding an Italinate style front and side, encasing the original brick Second Empire/Mansard style house.  The outline of  the original Riggs house and mansard roof can still be seen peeking out over the top and at the back of the present house.

In 1872 Thompson aquired more land along Colesville Rd increasing the size of the estate to 160 acres.

After the Metropolitan Branch of the B&O Railroad station opened in Silver Spring (1873) development increased in the Sligo area.  The train stop was given the name Silver Spring in Honor of the Blair Estate, but the area around the intersection of Colesville Road and Georgia Ave continued to be known as Sligo until the early 1900’s.

The Thompsons maintained a home in NW, Washington, DC and their country estate became a social center where they entertained frequently.  In the late 1880’s the Evening Star reported that the “beautiful rolling country of the Silver Sprng area” was characterized by “attractive residences of people who have established charming country homes with spacious surroundings of lawn, park,
forest and farm”.  The Riggs-Thompson house represents a period of prosperity when upper class Washingtonians established country seats in lower Montgomery County.

William Thompson died in 1896 on his Silver Spring  Farm and Helen Thompson continued to maintain the country estate until the early 1920’s.  She owned several automobiles driven by a chauffer and to manage the estate she employed an overseer.  Helen Thompson died in 1923 leaving her estate to her sister and a sister in law.

To be Continued . . . . .

Looking for a specific category or author?  You may need to look in two to four different places.  Because the store handles books for multiple used book dealers, and they each get their own area of the store, one book or author may exist in a different section for each of the sellers.

Co-owner, Cynthia Parker, is an expert in Romance Novels.   She has won an award for promoting romance novels and writers.   The award is proudly displayed at the front desk.   Cynthia was wearing a pink “Books – The Original Search Engine”  T Shirt when I visited.   She says they are struggling to stay in business right now.

There used to be a lot of these used bookstores, but they are mostly gone.  Remember Bonifant Books?  This one moved to Wheaton – then died.  I also remember a cool little used bookstore being on that strip of Sligo Avenue where Jackie’s Restaurant is now.  It is great to see this one still hanging on after 20 years in business.  

Shop this store, and support a local Silver Spring business.   It’s definitely a different experience than you will have around the corner at the huge Silver Spring Border’s Store. 

This perfect little independent book store is within walking distance of Downtown Silver Spring/METRO.  Located on the “eclectic” part of Bonifant Street, between Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street.  Don’t drive or walk down this street too fast, or you might miss it, the storefront is inset next to the Ambros Tattoo Parlor, just past the Atlantic Gun Shop.

Silver Spring Books
938 Bonifant Street
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
(301) 587-7484

Originally built as a “bedroom community” for Washington DC Metro area workers, Indian Spring had a  Golf Course, Country Club, Parks,  plenty of open country space, woodland, peace and quiet outside of the busy city.  

Abraham Kay and others purchased the defunct Indian Spring Golf Club and the 150 surrounding acres in 1939.  It was revived into a functioning popular country club until  1960.  Indian Spring Country Club moved out to Layhill Road when the Capitol Beltway came through and sliced it in half.   After the country club left, the grounds and buildings that remained became the home of the Silver Spring YMCA.   Eventually, the vacant land leftover from the Country Club on the north side of the Beltway was used for the relocation of Montgomery Blair High School in the mid 1990’s.

The original Houses,  built closest to the golf course, are in the subdivision called “Indian Spring Club Estates” and were the homes built by Kay Development in 1940.  Radiating out from these original 212 houses are the smaller subdivisions of Indian Spring Terrace, Indian Spring Park, Indian Spring Manor and Indian Spring Hills.  These smaller subdivisions were built by different developers over the years.  There are 767 Single Family homes total in the 5 Indian Spring Subdivisions.

Indian Spring was listed in the Washingtonian one of the “Best Places to Live”   “This is the kind of inner-Beltway suburb that downtown Silver Spring was revitalized for.  The professionals living here may have families, but they’re not so suburbanized that they don’t enjoy the art films, live music, and trendy food that are trademarks of the new Silver Spring.”  – Washingtonian Magazine.

Today Indian Spring has family-oriented social events for neighbors to meet and an email group for neighbors to keep up on the latest news, events, announcements and learn about local services.  Some of the Neighborhood events are:   “Taste of Indian Spring”, neighborhood clean up, yard sale, Fall Fest, July 4th Celebration, Holiday Celebrations and Holiday House Tours.  Find out more about the Indian Spring Community by visiting their website www.Iscaonline.com 

Indian Spring Real Estate Sales:
 23 Homes Sold in 2010
Average List Price 2010 – $461,813
Average Sold Price 2010 – $450,648
Lowest Sale Price 2010 – $228,000
Higest Sale Price 2010 - $647,000
Average Days on Market 2010 – 56 Days

Single Family Homes Currently for Sale in Indian Spring, Silver Spring, Md 20901

For More Information and or Details about Indian Spring Real Estate in Silver Spring Call or email me:  
Debbie Cook – Silver Spring Real Estate (301) 587-3528