Takoma Park

Understand

Takoma Park is bordered by, and often confused with the adjacent Takoma neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The Takoma Metrorail Station is in D.C., near the border of the 2 cities. The area is populated with many Hispanic, African and Asian immigrants. Together with nearby Hyattsville, they form an area that is one of the most politically liberal districts in the U.S. and home to a sizable percentage of Maryland's immigrant population. The Old Town area of Takoma Park is composed of three historic districts which run along Carroll Avenue from 4th Street NW (in Washington, D.C.) to Takoma Junction in Maryland. This is an artsy, counter-cultural area anchored by the Metro station, Takoma Theater, the Washington Opera warehouse and the House of Musical Traditions. More densely forested than the surrounding city, with huge oak trees, Takoma Park is known as a "tree city" and is bisected by numerous steep hills, narrow streets at odd angles, and the gorge-like Sligo Creek Park. With its small-town ambiance and residents determined to preserve its charm, it is one of few areas to successfully discourage chain stores and national franchises in its Old Town commercial district and instead encourages privately owned, unique commercial establishments.

History A train station was located here on the B&O railroad in the 1880s, around which the Victorian community of Takoma Park and neighboring Takoma, D.C. developed, at a time when much of D.C. was still farmland. Takoma Park quickly became the central commercial area for farmers, commuters and gentry commuting into Washington, D.C. by train and streetcar. Now it is a vibrant satellite city with a "small town" ambiance and a reputation for post-1960s era counterculture political activism. Founded by B.F. Gilbert in 1887, the hilly town became a haven for Seventh-Day Adventists, who moved their World Headquarters here from Battle Creek, Michigan (home of the Matthew Broderick cereal drama Road to Wellville). At the turn of the

Getting there

By Metrorail Takoma Park is served by the Red Line of the Washington D.C. Metrorail. For more information on riding the Metrorail, see Washington DC#Get_In. Most of the "Old Town" is within a 6-block walk of the Metrorail Station.

By bus Metrobus and Ride-on-Bus operate service to Takoma Park from either D.C. or Silver Spring.

By car Route 410 (East-West Highway) runs through Takoma Park. It connects Takoma Park with I-495 (Capital Beltway), the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, and Bethesda. From Silver Spring or D.C., take Blair Road, (another 2-lane cow path and the former driveway for the Blair estate). From the East End, follow North Capitol Street which becomes Blair Road. After passing the Takoma Metrorail Station, Blair Road runs into Georgia Avenue at the D.C. line, just south of the railroad underpass in downtown Silver Spring. From Blair Road, turn under the Takoma Metro station on Cedar St. NW, which becomes Carroll Avenue. Alternatively, take 13th St. NW all the way to Fort Stevens where it turns into Piney Branch Rd. Turn right on Cedar St. and go under the Metrorail Station. This is also the bike route.

By foot or bike Sligo Creek Trail is a 10.6-mile asphalt trail that runs between Hyattsville and Wheaton, through Takoma Park. If biking from Washington D.C., follow the 13th Street (Takoma) signed bike lane north of Downtown D.C. to Piney Branch Road and turn left on Cedar. For information on bike sharing programs in the Washington D.C. area, see Washington D.C.#Get_around.

Getting around

By foot The old town is best explored by walking. In general, Takoma Park is extremely hilly. Some side streets go up a 50-ft incline in the space of a block.

By car Langley Park / International Corridor and its ethnic restaurants are best explored by car. Parking is available both off-street and on-street.

By bus Metrobus and Ride-on-Bus operate service around Takoma Park.

See

The Takoma Park Historic District, near the Metrorail Station is full of houses from the early 1900s and is nice to walk around.

1 Fort Stevens Park and Battlefield National Cemetery. Commemorates the battle between Union troops and Confederate Gen. Jubal Early, who snuck into the city in 1862 by driving straight down Georgia Ave, stopping off at the Blair Mansion inn in Silver Spring (now a dinner theater) for a bite to eat. Abraham Lincoln's hat was allegedly shot off here as he observed the action. Oliver Wendell Holmes is alleged to have said, "get down, you fool!" A burger is named Jubal Early at the Woodside Deli in Silver Spring and Rockville. The dead from the battle were buried in the tiny National Cemetery on Georgia Ave at the end of Whittier St. 2 Statue of Roscoe the Rooster. A free-range rooster who lived behind the small apartments in Old Town, along with several hens said to be kept in a chicken coop. Roscoe died in 1999 and 30 people attended his funeral. Often confused with a separate rooster who lived on Flower Avenue, also run over by a hapless motorist. Roscoe woke up neighborhood residents for about 10 years.

Do

Festivals and events 1 Takoma Park Folk Festival, Takoma Park Middle School, 7611 Piney Branch Rd, ☏ +1 301-270-6700, [email protected]. Possibly the area's premier folk music festival. Started by Sammie Abbott in 1977 to raise money for theatrical causes. The first festival featured Pete Seeger. 2 Takoma Park Street Festival, Carroll Ave (Old Town), [email protected]. Annual street fair, attracting a diverse crowd of bohemians and locals. Three stages with 19 bands. Fire station open house. 3 Takoma Park Jazz Fest, Carroll Ave (Old Town). Free jazz performances.

Dance classes 4 Roda Movements, 7003 Carroll Ave (Downtown/Old Takoma Park), ☏ +1 301-920-0913. Roda Movements is the D.C. area's premiere studio dedicated to Brazilian-Latino Movements, offering classes in Capoeira, Zumba, Salsa, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Samba, Flamenco and other dance genres. Drop in, Sessioned classes & memberships available. Roda Movements also hosts indoor playspace for children 4 months- 3½ years. 5 Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, 7117 Maple Ave (off Carroll St), ☏ +1 301-270-6700, [email protected]. Internationally renowned dance artist Liz Lerman opened this dance studio to benefit novice dancers and drummers. Regular programs and workshops.

Buy

There are many small shops in Takoma Old Town, centered around the clock tower.

Farmer's markets and specialty grocers 1 Takoma Park Farmers Market, Laurel Ave, between Carrol Ave and Eastern Ave (Old Town). Su 10AM-2PM. One of the D.C. area's premier outdoor farmers markets. Organic, free-range, producer-only. 2 Crossroads Farmers Market, Anne St, between University Blvd & Hammond Ave, ☏ +1 301-615-3806. Jun–Nov: W 11AM-3PM. Over 20 vendors and 1,200 visitors each week. 3 Takoma Park-Silver Spring Food Co-op, 201 Ethan Allen Ave, ☏ +1 301-891-2667. 8AM–10PM. Features much locally grown produce and pastries from local bakeries. 4 Red Apple Farmers Market, 7645 New