“Twinbrook,” the four developers declared. Do you know how Twinbrook got its unique name?
Welcome to Twinbrook in Rockville Maryland. I will share a story about this special place.
In 1946 Joseph L. Geeraert Roland Simmon Wesley Sauter and Donald Gingery established Twinbrook. These developers chose the name Twinbrook. It was a nod to the two streams that once traversed the area. These streams flowed into Rock Creek. Rock Creek Park is part of the National Park Service.
Twinbrook’s history stretches back before its official founding. Native American tribes originally inhabited this land. By the 18th century the land was granted to individuals. These grants were rewards for services to Great Britain. Early purchases and donations also shaped the area. Caleb Litton settled Autrey Park. Adam Robb acquired most of the current Twinbrook area.
In 1873 John Hillaery Bogley purchased about 200 acres from Adam Robb. In 1925 Lillian M. Small bought the land from Bogley’s heirs. Small’s land originated from Litton’s 1720 grant. Small visited the farm often. She sold it to the Twinbrook developers for $94000.
After World War II affordable housing became a necessity. Young families needed homes. Washington D.C.’s suburbs expanded rapidly during the war. Twinbrook’s developers looked to Levittown New York and Oak Ridge Tennessee. They sought guidance from these planned communities. They incorporated Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian home ideas. These homes were simple affordable comfortable and technologically advanced. Streets respected the natural topography. This resulted in irregular lots and curving streets.
Construction began shortly after the 1946 purchase. The first owners moved in September 1948. Street names honored World War II engagements and locations. The Cape Cod style homes known as the “Famous Five” were popular. These homes had large picture windows and finished first floors. Unfinished second stories lowered the initial price.
Homes initially cost between $9250 and $11500. The government backed the mortgages completely. Veterans could buy a home with a $50 down payment. By 1952 over 300 houses had been built. Rockville officially annexed Twinbrook in 1949.
Twinbrook had racial restrictive covenants between 1947 and 1949. These covenants prevented racial minorities from owning property. The Federal Housing Association encouraged these covenants. The FHA removed the language in December 1949. By the 1950s Twinbrook’s racial covenants disappeared.
In 1952 Joseph Geeraert introduced Twinbrook Forest. It was located on the north side of Veirs Mill Road. It used similar designs and layouts. This second development proved successful.
An eight-room Twinbrook Elementary School opened in 1952. Twelve classrooms were added the following year. Meadow Hall Elementary School opened in 1956. Edwin W. Broome Junior High School later Broome Middle School was also built. High school students attended Richard Montgomery Robert E. Peary and Rockville High Schools.
Twinbrook Mart was the first retail center. It opened in 1956. It included an A&P grocery store and Peoples Drug Store. The Twinbrook Library initially resided in the drugstore’s basement starting in 1959. It moved to its own building across Veirs Mill Road in 1976.
The Twinbrook Shopping Center opened in 1958. Future Vice President Hubert Humphrey attended its opening.
The Twinbrook Swimming Pool opened in 1955. Volunteers dug the pool on church-owned land. Archbishop Patrick A. O’Boyle sold the land for $10. Membership peaked around 700 families.
Twinbrook Park now Twinbrook Community Recreation Center was established in 1953. It expanded to include basketball courts tennis courts and a playground. A new recreation center building was constructed in 1999.
Bus service began in the early 1950s. The Twinbrook Station Metro stop opened December 15 1984. This improved accessibility.
Today Twinbrook is experiencing revitalization. Home values are increasing. The area around the Metro station is developing. The Twinbrook Metro station redevelopment includes parking structures and high-density retail. The dated Twinbrook Mart and Twinbrook Shopping Center are also being revitalized.
Twinbrook stands as a testament to post-war community planning and continuous growth. It blends history and progress.