It may have taken longer than most cities in the area, but Gaithersburg eventually shook its agricultural roots in the 1960s and — for better or worse — extended urban sprawl further into the Washington region.
That’s when the National Bureau of Standards — now known as the National Institute of Standards and Technology — opened in Gaithersburg.
The federal science lab ushered more science research organizations into the city, and with it, growth Gaithersburg had never experienced before.
Fields of crops slowly gave way to a urban community, and city leaders pledged to develop an idyllic town center at the core of an area that was still largely untapped. It became a cheaper alternative to many urban centers in Maryland’s wealthiest suburb, Montgomery County.
Now, Gaithersburg officials are attempting to revive what many consider a stagnating city, while paying homage to its agricultural history. For years, they have particularly focused on restoring Olde Towne Gaithersburg, with limited success.
Olde Towne is the historic heart of the city, named for Benjamin Gaither, who built a house in the early 1800s on property at the intersection of Diamond and Frederick avenues. He opened a blacksmith shop, store and tavern to cater to travelers and local residents.
The area began developing when it became a stop for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and Gaithersburg was officially incorporated in 1878. Because of shipping improvements tied to rail, agriculture exploded in the region.
Now, the Montgomery County Fair Grounds, in the center of Gaithersburg, is virtually the only remaining reminder of the area’s farming past.
