Damascus, Maryland
Encyclopedia
Damascus is a census-designated place
and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County
, Maryland
, United States
.
In the early part of the 20th century, there was an incorporated municipality there for about a quarter century, but it no longer exists. The name "Damascus" comes from a reference in the Bible
, presumably to Damascus, Syria, and was first used in an official document in 1816, when the United States Congress
approved a postal route through the area, operated by Edward Hughes.
as a Census-designated Place
, and by the United States Geological Survey
as a populated place located at 39°16′16"N 77°12′22"W (39.271040, -77.206098).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the place has a total area of 9.6 square miles (24.9 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 11,430 people, 3,710 households, and 3,079 families residing in the area. The population density
was 1,187.5 people per square mile (458.7/km²). There were 3,773 housing units at an average density of 392.0/sq mi (151.4/km²). The racial makeup of the area was 89.66% White, 6.63% African American, 0.24% Native American, 2.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races
, and 1.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.31% of the population.
There were 3,710 households out of which 52.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were married couples
living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.0% were non-families. 13.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.08 and the average family size was 3.38.
In the area, the population was spread out with 34.0% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.
The median income for a household in the area was $71,447, and the median income for a family was $76,462. Males had a median income of $51,590 versus $38,731 for females. The per capita income
for the area was $26,659. About 4.2% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 0.9% of those age 65 or over.
veteran named Edward Hughes bought a 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) section of the grant and began subdividing lots for sale. James Madison
, the fourth U.S. President, appointed Hughes postmaster of the developing community of Damascus in 1816.
Damascus is located at the intersection of two major roads in upper Montgomery County
, Ridge Road (currently Rt. 27
) and Damascus Road (currently Rt. 108
). Hughes received permission from Congress for a postal route
through town. Hughes called his town "The Pleasant Plains of Damascus" after Damascus, Syria (a biblical reference). A newspaper in Frederick, Maryland
, wrote of Hughes's growing town: "There is at this place an extensive opening for mechanics of all the different kinds, and it bids fair to improve very fast; ... There is at present two blacksmith shops, a saddler's shop and a store in the place -- a tailor, a wheel wright, and a shoemaker are much wanted, and would meet with great encouragement." This was the Damascus of 1816. The new township drew settlers from Anne Arundel County
as well as from Montgomery County. On September 12, 1862, U.S. Federal troops marched through the "village" of Damascus via what is now Route 27 on their way to the town of Sharpsburg
, where they engaged Confederate troops commanded by General Robert E. Lee
at the Battle of Antietam
.
The town was incorporated from 1890 to 1914, when the townspeople requested the incorporation be withdrawn so that Old Quaker Road, used since Revolutionary
times and before, could be paved into a state highway. The town remains a commercial center for rural communities like Clagettsville, Browningsville, Cedar Grove, Woodfield, King's Valley, Purdum, and Lewisdale, although it is more developed today.
In spite of spiraling population growth and encroaching urban development, Damascus retains its rural, small-town character. The Damascus Community Fair -- a fully agricultural fair that has been in operation since 1940—attracts thousands of visitors annually in the first weekend of September. 4-H
clubs are thriving, and in the past 10 years three new equestrian centers have opened within 5 miles (8 km) of downtown Damascus.
November 17, 2009, marked the grand opening of the Damascus Heritage Society Museum—a project years in the making that aims to preserve the history of Damascus, MD. The original idea for the museum belonged to John Grigg, who was in attendance at the opening along with fellow supporters, sharing apple cider and cookies in celebration of their efforts. The museum is located in a small building behind the Damascus Public Library, and is open from noon to 5pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays (or by appointment with groups larger than 10). The grand-opening featured a ribbon cutting ceremony, and Damascus’s first fire truck, presented by the current fire chief Darron Long. Currently on display is an exhibit highlighting the Damascus Volunteer Fire department, but the exhibits are scheduled to change every few months.
For more information about the museum, or the Damascus Heritage Society itself, visit http://www.dhsm.org, where you will find the links to the Damascus Heritage Society newsletters, and even articles that tell the stories of past towns people, like John Thomas Baker, Arnold Hawkins, and Sallie Souder. Membership to the Damascus Heritage Society is available for various levels of donation to their preservation efforts.
(DHS) is well-known regionally and nationally for its strong academic program as well as its championship athletic teams, known as the Swarmin' Hornets. Unlike most high schools in Montgomery County, Damascus benefits from a large, well-funded, well-equipped and well-managed youth athletic program, the Damascus Sports Association (DSA). DSA is responsible for developing young people into athletes of the highest level, including weekend travel teams. Consequently, by the time these athletes reach DHS, many of them have been teammates in baseball
, softball
, football
, wrestling, soccer, and lacrosse
for years. The high school's dozens of state championship banners attest to the effectiveness of the DSA feeder program.
The current principal at DHS is Robert Domergue, now in his seventh year in the position.
Damascus High School is one of the few remaining schools in the state to still hold its graduation ceremonies on the school's football field. A rite of passage for many graduating seniors is to walk on the field and receive their diploma not only in front of family and friends in the stands but also the several hundred townspeople who gather outside the fences to watch the ceremony. For the past few years the school has considered moving the ceremony to an alternate indoor location such as McDaniel College, but it has been voted down every year by the Senior class and their families.
Former U.S. Secretary of State and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
General Colin Powell
was the speaker for Damascus High School's Class of 2000 commencement ceremony at the high school's football stadium.
is active in the community. Since Damascus Post 171 was founded after World War II
, it has engaged in charitable and civic endeavors, ranging from installing Christmas decorations downtown to sponsoring high school scholarships. Post 171 is host to annual ceremonies commemorating Memorial Day and Veterans Day on the grounds of the Post home. Post 171 also sponsors an American Junior Legion baseball team, which is a perennial champion.
Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Company 13, with headquarters in Damascus, is one of the oldest companies in the Montgomery County fire service. Originating in 1940 as an all-Volunteer force, the [Damascus Volunteer Fire Department-Company 13] http://www.damascusvfd.com transitioned to a mix of full-time professional paid men and volunteers in the late 1980s. Today the company is responsible for a huge, sprawling residential area, as well as the downtown area, which has also grown significantly in the past 10 years. Company 13 retains its reputation as one of the best trained, best equipped fire & rescue units in the county.
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
and an unincorporated area in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
In the early part of the 20th century, there was an incorporated municipality there for about a quarter century, but it no longer exists. The name "Damascus" comes from a reference in the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
, presumably to Damascus, Syria, and was first used in an official document in 1816, when the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
approved a postal route through the area, operated by Edward Hughes.
Geography
As an unincorporated area, Damascus' boundaries are not officially defined. Damascus is recognized by the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
as a Census-designated Place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
, and by the United States Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
as a populated place located at 39°16′16"N 77°12′22"W (39.271040, -77.206098).
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the place has a total area of 9.6 square miles (24.9 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 11,430 people, 3,710 households, and 3,079 families residing in the area. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,187.5 people per square mile (458.7/km²). There were 3,773 housing units at an average density of 392.0/sq mi (151.4/km²). The racial makeup of the area was 89.66% White, 6.63% African American, 0.24% Native American, 2.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.28% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.31% of the population.
There were 3,710 households out of which 52.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 17.0% were non-families. 13.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.08 and the average family size was 3.38.
In the area, the population was spread out with 34.0% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 33.6% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.
The median income for a household in the area was $71,447, and the median income for a family was $76,462. Males had a median income of $51,590 versus $38,731 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the area was $26,659. About 4.2% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 0.9% of those age 65 or over.
History
The area currently known as Damascus was granted by the new state of Maryland to Nathaniel Pigman in 1783. On February 14, 1819, War of 1812War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
veteran named Edward Hughes bought a 40 acres (161,874.4 m²) section of the grant and began subdividing lots for sale. James Madison
James Madison
James Madison, Jr. was an American statesman and political theorist. He was the fourth President of the United States and is hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for being the primary author of the United States Constitution and at first an opponent of, and then a key author of the United...
, the fourth U.S. President, appointed Hughes postmaster of the developing community of Damascus in 1816.
Damascus is located at the intersection of two major roads in upper Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Maryland, situated just to the north of Washington, D.C., and southwest of the city of Baltimore. It is one of the most affluent counties in the United States, and has the highest percentage of residents over 25 years of age who hold post-graduate...
, Ridge Road (currently Rt. 27
Maryland Route 27
Maryland Route 27 is a state highway in the central part of the U.S. state of Maryland.-Route description:MD 27, also known as Ridge Road and Manchester Road , begins in Germantown at MD 355...
) and Damascus Road (currently Rt. 108
Maryland Route 108
Maryland Route 108 is a suburban state highway in the central part of the U.S. state of Maryland, starting in Damascus and ending near Columbia.-Route description:...
). Hughes received permission from Congress for a postal route
Post road
For other uses, see Post Road .A post road is a road designated for the transportation of postal mail. In past centuries only major towns had a post house, and the roads used by post riders or mail coaches to carry mail among them were particularly important ones or, due to the special attention...
through town. Hughes called his town "The Pleasant Plains of Damascus" after Damascus, Syria (a biblical reference). A newspaper in Frederick, Maryland
Frederick, Maryland
Frederick is a city in north-central Maryland. It is the county seat of Frederick County, the largest county by area in the state of Maryland. Frederick is an outlying community of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is part of a greater...
, wrote of Hughes's growing town: "There is at this place an extensive opening for mechanics of all the different kinds, and it bids fair to improve very fast; ... There is at present two blacksmith shops, a saddler's shop and a store in the place -- a tailor, a wheel wright, and a shoemaker are much wanted, and would meet with great encouragement." This was the Damascus of 1816. The new township drew settlers from Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Anne Arundel County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is named for Anne Arundell , a member of the ancient family of Arundells in Cornwall, England and the wife of Cæcilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore. Its county seat is Annapolis, which is also the capital of the state...
as well as from Montgomery County. On September 12, 1862, U.S. Federal troops marched through the "village" of Damascus via what is now Route 27 on their way to the town of Sharpsburg
Sharpsburg, Maryland
Sharpsburg is a town in Washington County, Maryland, United States, approximately south of Hagerstown. The population was 691 at the 2000 census....
, where they engaged Confederate troops commanded by General Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
at the Battle of Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000...
.
The town was incorporated from 1890 to 1914, when the townspeople requested the incorporation be withdrawn so that Old Quaker Road, used since Revolutionary
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
times and before, could be paved into a state highway. The town remains a commercial center for rural communities like Clagettsville, Browningsville, Cedar Grove, Woodfield, King's Valley, Purdum, and Lewisdale, although it is more developed today.
In spite of spiraling population growth and encroaching urban development, Damascus retains its rural, small-town character. The Damascus Community Fair -- a fully agricultural fair that has been in operation since 1940—attracts thousands of visitors annually in the first weekend of September. 4-H
4-H
4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...
clubs are thriving, and in the past 10 years three new equestrian centers have opened within 5 miles (8 km) of downtown Damascus.
November 17, 2009, marked the grand opening of the Damascus Heritage Society Museum—a project years in the making that aims to preserve the history of Damascus, MD. The original idea for the museum belonged to John Grigg, who was in attendance at the opening along with fellow supporters, sharing apple cider and cookies in celebration of their efforts. The museum is located in a small building behind the Damascus Public Library, and is open from noon to 5pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays (or by appointment with groups larger than 10). The grand-opening featured a ribbon cutting ceremony, and Damascus’s first fire truck, presented by the current fire chief Darron Long. Currently on display is an exhibit highlighting the Damascus Volunteer Fire department, but the exhibits are scheduled to change every few months.
For more information about the museum, or the Damascus Heritage Society itself, visit http://www.dhsm.org, where you will find the links to the Damascus Heritage Society newsletters, and even articles that tell the stories of past towns people, like John Thomas Baker, Arnold Hawkins, and Sallie Souder. Membership to the Damascus Heritage Society is available for various levels of donation to their preservation efforts.
Education and Athletics
Damascus High SchoolDamascus High School
Damascus High School is a high school located at 25921 Ridge Road in Damascus, an unincorporated community in Montgomery County, Maryland.The school principal is Mr. Robert Domergue and assistant principals are Ms. Karen Rose, Dr. Andrei Ghelman, and Dr. Gregory Pleasant.Its feeder schools are John T...
(DHS) is well-known regionally and nationally for its strong academic program as well as its championship athletic teams, known as the Swarmin' Hornets. Unlike most high schools in Montgomery County, Damascus benefits from a large, well-funded, well-equipped and well-managed youth athletic program, the Damascus Sports Association (DSA). DSA is responsible for developing young people into athletes of the highest level, including weekend travel teams. Consequently, by the time these athletes reach DHS, many of them have been teammates in baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
, football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, wrestling, soccer, and lacrosse
Lacrosse
Lacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin played using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick, mainly played in the United States and Canada. It is a contact sport which requires padding. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose mesh...
for years. The high school's dozens of state championship banners attest to the effectiveness of the DSA feeder program.
The current principal at DHS is Robert Domergue, now in his seventh year in the position.
Damascus High School is one of the few remaining schools in the state to still hold its graduation ceremonies on the school's football field. A rite of passage for many graduating seniors is to walk on the field and receive their diploma not only in front of family and friends in the stands but also the several hundred townspeople who gather outside the fences to watch the ceremony. For the past few years the school has considered moving the ceremony to an alternate indoor location such as McDaniel College, but it has been voted down every year by the Senior class and their families.
Former U.S. Secretary of State and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces, and is the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and the Secretary of Defense...
General Colin Powell
Colin Powell
Colin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African American to serve in that position. During his military...
was the speaker for Damascus High School's Class of 2000 commencement ceremony at the high school's football stadium.
Civic Groups
The American LegionAmerican Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
is active in the community. Since Damascus Post 171 was founded after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it has engaged in charitable and civic endeavors, ranging from installing Christmas decorations downtown to sponsoring high school scholarships. Post 171 is host to annual ceremonies commemorating Memorial Day and Veterans Day on the grounds of the Post home. Post 171 also sponsors an American Junior Legion baseball team, which is a perennial champion.
Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Company 13, with headquarters in Damascus, is one of the oldest companies in the Montgomery County fire service. Originating in 1940 as an all-Volunteer force, the [Damascus Volunteer Fire Department-Company 13] http://www.damascusvfd.com transitioned to a mix of full-time professional paid men and volunteers in the late 1980s. Today the company is responsible for a huge, sprawling residential area, as well as the downtown area, which has also grown significantly in the past 10 years. Company 13 retains its reputation as one of the best trained, best equipped fire & rescue units in the county.