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February 12, 2025  

Demolition of Original Rockville Garage Buildings (1971)

When the state widened the roads in 1970, Reed Brothers Dodge relocated its business to a brand new service complex at 15955 Rockville Pike, several miles north of its old location across from King Farm. The buildings on the Dodge Street site were all demolished to allow for re-routing of the Veirs Mill Road and Rockville Pike intersection.

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)

Top photo from Montgomery History’s Sentinel Photo Morgue: Taken from Veirs Mill Road, the photo shows demolition of the original Rockville Garage buildings, which stood at the triangle site for more than 50 years.

Note: I think the picture captured the moment the bulldozer pushed the second story of the flat-roofed Body Shop OFF of the first, hence all the dust and debris flying in the air! Zoomed in, you can just see the edge of the old concrete ramp on the right side which led up to the Body Shop, as well as a partially completed building in the background, which I believe is the Americana Centre that opened in 1972.

Bottom photo: aerial view of the empty lot taken in 1971 after the business had been relocated and the buildings had been razed.

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

May 30, 2023  

Short History: Formation of Rockville Chamber of Commerce

Edgar Reed was one of the first members of the Rockville Chamber of Commerce when it was formed in August 1925. Sixty business and professional men of Rockville and vicinity gathered at the Montgomery County Country Club and elected officers for the Rockville Chamber of Commerce. Edgar was elected to the Executive Board and as Chairman of the Better Business Bureau committee.

Rockville Chamber of Commerce Formation

The Montgomery County Sentinel. Sept 25, 1925

From The Montgomery County Sentinel, September 25, 1925:

The purpose of the organization is set forth as “advancing the commercial, industrial and civic interests of Rockville and vicinity and to promote integrity and good faith in matters of business.”

The President was authorized to appoint committees on sanitation, public utilities, perks and playgrounds, schools, program and publicity, and the appointment of committees to cooperate with various organizations of the county for the celebration on October 2, 1926, of the 150th anniversary of the creation of Montgomery County; to investigate all stock selling schemes in the county, and to collect and invoice statistics concerning Rockville and possibilities for its future development.

The group attempted to resolve traffic and parking problems, advocate public improvements, and generally upgrade the town. Members served on the town council and generously supported the Rockville Volunteer Fore Department. Under the leadership of W. Valentine Wilson and others, the group espoused progressive ideas on behalf of improved education, economic development, and civic improvement. In 1926, Wilson commissioned a twelve-minute long movie featuring the best of Rockville—its business establishments, new firehouse, and dairy production, boasting “clean cows—clean udders—clean milk.” Organizing the Chamber marked a coming of age of Rockville’s business community. Common ground for the merchants further bonded the small town.

An integral part of the Rockville area’s past, present and future, the Rockville Chamber of Commerce is the voice of the thousands of businesses that proudly call Rockville their home.

Sources of Information:
Montgomery County Sentinel
Rockville Portrait of a City by Eileen S. McGuckian