Capitol View Park was developed along the B&O Railroad metropolitan Branch between Forest Glen and Kensington in the latter part of the 19th century. The 123.5 acres, which were included in the original subdivision plan of 1887 surveyed for Mary Harr, were already of historic interest. Originally part of the 4,220 acre land grant made to William Joseph in 1689, by 1776 they were a part of the land holdings of the famous Daniel Carroll. The acreage passed from Daniel Carroll, Jr., to his son, William, and then 800 acres were acquired by Daniel Brent, son of Robert Brent, and executor of the will of Daniel Carroll, Sr.
The land was sold and in 1829, 498 acres were purchased by Robert Brown, a farmer who passed 276.5 acres of that on to his son Thomas J. Brown in 1864. Thomas Brown built a house on that land (the Frederick Case house) which was the first known dwelling on the land now known as Capitol View Park. The land was bisected by the railroad with 123.5 acres north of the tracks and this acreage was sold to Mary Harr who was ultimately responsible for the platting and development of Capitol View Park.
The Harrs moved to their farm and built a house in 1882 (the Trimble House). The map of 1908 shows approximately 17 buildings in Capitol View Park. In 1911, Capitol View Avenue was laid out and recorded. Prior to this, there was no direct connection to Kensington by road north of the tracks. County water came to the area in the 1920's and slowly the number of houses increased. many of the smaller houses on Meredith Street and Capitol View Avenue were built in the 1930's.
The above information is from the Sector Plan for Capitol View and Vicinity, adopted July 1982.
Boundary of the historic district
Map and Walking Tour of Capitol View Park published in 1986
Capitol View Park Stories - Gary Ditto, G.R.I, Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Excerpts from the Sector Plan for Capitol View and Vicinity - Approved & Adopted July 1982
Environment and Existing Transportation
The Plan
Land Use Plan
Transportation Plan
Zoning & Historic Preservation
Implementation & Capitol Improvements Program
If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here to download a free copy.
Stoneybrook Drive Bridge - history taken from the Historic Preservation commission Staff Report
Montgomery County Remembers - Historic Preservation Commission
