“Get Into It!” Rockville’s motto captures the city’s vibrant spirit. Rockville is more than just a Maryland city. It is a place with a story that stretches back millennia.
Rockville’s story began long before European colonists arrived. Semi-nomadic Native Americans found refuge here as early as 8000 BC. By 1200 AD, conflicts arose with the Senecas and Susquehannocks. These groups migrated south from Pennsylvania and New York. Six prehistoric sites within Rockville’s boundaries tell of this ancient past.
By 1700, European colonists pushed most of the original inhabitants away. The Sinequa Trail, now downtown Rockville, was once carved by these indigenous people. In the mid-18th century, Lawrence Owen opened a small inn on this trail. This place became Owen’s Ordinary.
Owen’s Ordinary gained fame on April 14, 1755. Major General Edward Braddock stopped here. He was on a mission from Georgetown to assert British claims on the western frontier. The road’s location was strategic. Its higher ground stayed dry year-round.
Between 1717 and 1735, Arthur Nelson obtained the first land patents in the Rockville area. Growth led to the separation of western Prince George’s County. In 1748, it became Frederick County.
Early Rockville had various names. These included Owen’s Ordinary and Hungerford’s Tavern. A soldier with General Braddock mentioned “larance Owings or Owings Oardianary” in 1755. This was a small rest stop on Rock Creek Main Road. This road connected George Town and Frederick Town.
On September 6, 1776, Frederick County was divided into three parts. Rockville became part of Montgomery County. George Town was the most prosperous urban center. But Rockville was chosen as the county seat because of its central location. At the time, Rockville was often called Hungerford’s Tavern. After becoming the county seat, it was referred to as Montgomery Court House.
In 1784, William Prather Williams laid out much of the town. In his honor, many called the town Williamsburg. Both Williamsburg and Montgomery Court House were used interchangeably. Rockville gained prominence when Montgomery County was created. It further increased when George Town was ceded to form the District of Columbia.
A proposal to name the town Wattsville failed. The stream was deemed too small. On July 16, 1803, the area was officially named Rockville. The name came from Rock Creek. Yet, Montgomery Court House remained on maps until the 1820s.
Rockville was incorporated on March 10, 1860. During the Civil War, General George B. McClellan stayed at the Beall-Dawson House in 1862. In 1863, General J.E.B. Stuart and Confederate cavalry occupied Rockville on their way to Gettysburg.
In 1913, the United Daughters of the Confederacy erected a Confederate statue near the courthouse. It was removed in 2017 and relocated to White’s Ferry.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad arrived in 1873. This made Rockville easily accessible from Washington, D.C. Trolley service connected Rockville to Georgetown in 1891. It operated for four decades.
Rockville has evolved from a small settlement. It is now a major retail hub in Montgomery County. The city boasts upscale regional shopping centers. Rockville is a blend of historical charm and modern progress. This makes it a unique and dynamic place.