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1951 Map of Kensington

Name: 1951 Topographic Map of Kensington
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1951
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1951

About this map

Naval Medical Center and the National Institute anchor the southern edge of this mid-century Montgomery County landscape, marking the significant federal and medical presence in the suburbs north of the capital. The area exhibits a mix of established estates and emerging post-war residential developments, with neighborhoods like Glenmont Forest and Viers Mill Village filling the spaces between historic thoroughfares. The Baltimore and Ohio RR cuts a diagonal path through the terrain, serving transit-oriented communities such as Garrett Park and Kensington.

Beyond the suburban centers, the map reveals a countryside still dotted with family legacy sites like Beall Cem and Bonifant Cem. Educational and religious institutions are prominent features, ranging from the Georgetown Preparatory School to the Holy Family Seminary. Waterways including Rock Creek and Northwest Branch provide the natural structure for the region's topography, while specialized infrastructure like the Burnt Mills Filtration Plant and several large radio towers, including Radio Sta WTOP, reflect the technological needs of the era.