In the summer of 1925, Rockville’s business leaders came together with a shared vision: to strengthen their growing community. About sixty local merchants and professionals gathered at the Montgomery County Country Club to form what would become the Rockville Chamber of Commerce.

Among the founding members was Edgar Reed, co-owner of Reed Brothers Dodge. At that first meeting, officers were elected, and Reed was chosen to serve on the Executive Board, where he also chaired the Better Business Bureau committee.

According to the Montgomery County Sentinel (September 25, 1925), the Chamber’s mission was clear:

To advance the commercial, industrial, and civic interests of Rockville and vicinity, and to promote integrity and good faith in matters of business.

Montgomery County Sentinel. September 25, 1925

From the beginning, the Chamber focused on real, local issues: improving schools and playgrounds, addressing sanitation and public utilities, and supporting public projects. Members also partnered with county organizations to plan the 150th anniversary celebration of Montgomery County in 1926.

The new group didn’t shy away from tackling tough topics, either. They investigated questionable business practices, promoted honest advertising, and even began collecting data to help plan Rockville’s growth.

By 1926, the Chamber had taken civic pride a step further by sponsoring a short promotional film about Rockville. The movie featured local businesses, the brand-new firehouse, and the area’s thriving farms, complete with the memorable slogan:

Clean cows — clean udders — clean milk.

The creation of the Rockville Chamber of Commerce marked an important moment in the city’s history. It gave Rockville’s business community a unified voice; one that continues to shape and support the city’s growth nearly a century later.

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