Tag Archive | Reed Brothers Dodge Rockville
July 18, 2026  

High Flying History: When the Goodyear Blimp Came to Rockville

In the spring of 1938, the skies over Rockville, Maryland, were filled with something far more spectacular than the usual local birds. The Goodyear Airship Enterprise descended upon the city, marking a milestone in local history and providing a rare, bird’s-eye view of a burgeoning community.

While Lewis Reed, founder of Reed Brothers Dodge, wasn’t an aviator by trade, he was a man of immense vision. Recognizing the rare opportunity presented by the blimp’s visit, Reed took to the skies with his camera. The result? Some of the earliest known aerial photographs of Rockville, capturing the original Reed Brothers Dodge location in stunning black and white. (click on thumbnails to view gallery)

A Night on the Mooring Mast

According to a 1938 report from The Montgomery County Sentinel, the visit was far more than a simple flyover; it was a full-scale community event that turned Rockville into a temporary hub of aeronautical wonder. Local residents, who had long wondered how such a massive airship could be anchored away from a permanent dock, were given the rare opportunity to see a mobile mooring mast in action as the Enterprise stayed overnight.

The spectacle wasn’t limited to the skies, as Reed Brothers also sponsored a “Life Guard” tire demonstration to prove the safety of Goodyear’s latest technology. In a display that had to be seen to be believed, a car traveling at upwards of 60 miles per hour underwent a deliberate blowout to demonstrate that it could maintain control without serious consequences. This high-speed event was conducted with the full cooperation of local police authorities, who assisted in managing the crowds that gathered to witness the future of automotive safety and aviation.

A Ride to Remember (From the Womb)

History is often best told through the personal stories of those who lived it. One of the most charming accounts of the Enterprise’s visit comes from Janice Beall Taylor, whose parents both worked at the dealership in the 1930s.

Her mother, Mary Anna Slater, was the bookkeeper at Reed Brothers and was eight and a half months pregnant at the time of the blimp’s arrival. Not wanting to miss the chance of a lifetime, Mary Anna called her physician, Dr. Hartley, to ask if it was safe to fly.

Only if I can go, too!” the doctor reportedly replied.

True to his word, the doctor and the expectant mother took to the skies. Janice often jokes with her children that she technically enjoyed her first blimp ride two weeks before she was even born!

Preserving the Legacy

The visit of the Goodyear Blimp was more than a marketing stunt; it was a moment that captured the imagination of a generation. Thanks to Lewis Reed’s foresight in bringing his camera into the cockpit, we have a permanent record of Rockville’s landscape from a time when “aerial photography” was a daring new frontier.

Today, these images serve as a bridge to the past, reminding us of the days when a silver giant in the sky could bring an entire city to a standstill.

November 25, 2025  

Celebrating a Visionary: Lewis Reed’s Enduring Legacy on His 138th Birthday

Lewis Reed in the new car showroom, 1965

Lewis Reed in the showroom of Reed Brothers Dodge, 1965 – a rare glimpse of the founder near the close of his long career in the automobile business.

Rockville’s story is deeply intertwined with the life and dedication of Lewis Reed, whose vision and community spirit transformed local life. Born on November 25, 1887, Reed left an indelible mark not just as a pioneering businessman but as a devoted citizen whose legacy endures in Rockville’s culture and landscape today.

Lewis Reed laid the foundation for Reed Brothers Dodge, one of the nation’s oldest Dodge dealerships. After acquiring his initial interest in the Rockville Garage in January 1916, Reed gradually expanded his ownership until 1919, when he became the sole proprietor. He soon welcomed his brother Edgar, giving rise to a new chapter as Reed Brothers Dodge. What started as a simple garage quickly became a center for innovation, where early Rockville motorists found not just fuel and repairs but a gathering place at the dawn of the automobile.

The legacy of Reed Brothers Dodge in Rockville is reflected in enduring landmarks and recent changes throughout the community. “Dodge Street” remains a tribute to the dealership’s historic impact, named for its association with Reed Brothers Dodge and its essential role in Rockville’s automotive and civic landscape. The site at 15955 Frederick Road, once branded as “Bainbridge Shady Grove Metro Apartments,” has recently undergone significant rebranding in both name and appearance. The apartment complex that opened over a decade ago is now called “The Reed,” a choice that honors the dealership’s longstanding history in the area. This rebranding reflects an appreciation of local heritage, ensuring that the Reed name continues to be woven into the fabric of Rockville life.

Lewis Reed’s impact extended into local heritage and visual history. He was also a passionate amateur photographer, leaving behind a vivid pictorial history of both Rockville and Montgomery County’s transformation. Lewis Reed’s photographs are preserved and showcased through three significant historical online exhibits on Montgomery History’s website. These exhibits feature hundreds of images capturing iconic structures, streetscapes, homes, and towns across Montgomery County, including Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Germantown. They pair Reed’s early 20th-century photographs with modern recreations by his grandson, Barry Gartner, providing historical context and illustrating both timeless constancy and dramatic changes in the region. The exhibits include “Reed Brothers Dodge,” highlighting the dealership’s long history; “Montgomery County, Then and Now,” focusing on paired historic and current images; and “Montgomery County, 1900-1930: Through the Lens of Lewis Reed,” emphasizing his extensive photographic documentation of rural life and local landmarks.

As we celebrate the birthday of Lewis Reed, we honor not only the founder of Reed Brothers Dodge, but also a visionary whose dedication and spirit greatly shaped Rockville and Montgomery County. His legacy lives on through the enduring Reed name, cherished historical photographs, and the lasting impact of his entrepreneurial and community contributions. Today, Lewis Reed remains an inspiring example of how one individual’s passion and commitment can leave a profound mark on a community’s history and future. On this special day, we remember and celebrate his remarkable life and the heritage he created for generations to come.