1950 Map of Gaithersburg

About this map

Gaithersburg and its surrounding rural hamlets are captured here at a mid-century pivot point, as the agricultural landscape of central Montgomery County begins to reflect early suburban transitions. The Baltimore and Ohio railroad corridor serves as the primary developmental axis, connecting established communities like Washington Grove and Metropolitan Grove. The map reveals a dense network of small, localized settlements such as Prathertown, Stewart Town, and Emory Grove, which were historically significant local hubs during the segregation era. Beyond the tracks, the terrain is defined by the drainage of Great Seneca Creek and its many tributaries, including Wildcat Branch and Cabin Branch. This 1950 edition represents the final years before the massive post-war expansion reshaped these farm-to-market roads into major suburban thoroughfares, preserving the locations of rural landmarks like the Brookgrove Sch and St Marys Home as they stood in the mid-1940s.