Rockville Garage Demo

In 1970, a significant chapter came to an end for Reed Brothers Dodge when the state of Maryland widened the roads around Rockville, necessitating the relocation of the dealership and the demolition of the original Rockville Garage buildings. After more than 50 years at its longtime triangular site at the intersection of Veirs Mill Road and Rockville Pike, the iconic dealership moved several miles north to a brand new sales and service complex at 15955 Frederick Road across from King Farm.

Capturing the Demolition

February, 1971: demolition of the original Rockville Garage buildings, which had stood on the Veirs Mill/Rockville Pike location for more than fifty years. (Montgomery History, Sentinel Photo Morgue)

The old buildings on Dodge Street, which had once been the bustling heart of Reed Brothers Dodge, were systematically demolished in early 1971. The clearance was essential to allow the re-routing of the intersection and enable improved traffic flow. The demolition was captured in vivid detail by Montgomery History’s Sentinel Photo Morgue, including a striking image of a bulldozer pushing the second story of the flat-roofed Body Shop off the first floor, dust and debris flying. Notable remnants such as the old concrete ramp to the Body Shop remained briefly visible before the buildings were completely razed. Behind the scene in the above photograph, the partially completed Americana Centre, which opened the following year, provides a snapshot of Rockville’s evolving landscape.

This photo of the Reed Brothers Dodge site was taken later in 1971, after the business had been relocated to 15955 Frederick Rd. and the buildings had been razed. (Montgomery History, photo by Bob Pusey)

Legacy of the Original Site

Although the Rockville Garage buildings were demolished in February 1971, their place in Montgomery County history endures through photographs, maps, and archival records. The cleared lot remained vacant for more than a decade before its transformation into Veterans Park, formally dedicated in November 1987. Today, the park both commemorates local veterans and preserves the historical significance of the site where the dealership first took root. The legacy of the location also lives on in Dodge Street, the small roadway that still bears the name of the dealership and serves as a reminder of its longtime presence at the intersection of Rockville Pike and Veirs Mill Road.

The dealership’s relocation to 15955 Frederick Road in late 1970 was both a practical response to road expansion and a forward-looking investment in the future. The new facility, equipped with 30 service bays and modern amenities, reflected the demands of a rapidly growing suburban community and ensured the Reed family’s ability to carry on its legacy in a setting designed for growth.

The demolition of the Rockville Garage closed the chapter on the dealership’s original home but opened another that would last more than four decades. At Frederick Road, Reed Brothers Dodge continued to thrive, exemplifying the resilience of a family business that adapted to shifting infrastructure and urban expansion while maintaining nearly a century of continuous service. Though the original buildings are gone, the history and legacy of Reed Brothers Dodge remain firmly woven into the story of Montgomery County.