Rockville is the second largest city in Maryland (after Baltimore) and is the county seat of Montgomery County. An incorporated city, Rockville is located in the centre of this county and is a part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. Neighboring cities are Gaithersburg, Aspen Hill, North Bethesda, Redland, Garret Park, Washington Grove, Rossmoor, Potomac and North Potomac. Those moving to Rockville will also discover a residential city with accommodations ranging from Victorian to ultra modern condominiums.
Economy:
Rockville is home to numerous companies specializing in the fields of electronics, communications, aerospace and nuclear energy; all of which have technology and research facilities and laboratories in the area. Many biotechnology and software application firms have begun operations in Rockville and these industries form part of the Interstate 270 Technology Corridor. The US Food and Drug Administration and many governmental institutions also have their headquarters in Rockville. Unemployment figures to the end of December 2010 show an unemployment rate in of 5.2 percent.
Tourism:
Historians will be interested in the great historical sites in and around Rockville and its many museums which document the history of the area. Sports lovers will enjoy the skating rink at the Cabin John Regional Park which also has a nature center; and the RedGate Municipal Golf Course. Besides the Cabin John Regional Park there are many other open green spaces in Rockville, such as the Wheaton Regional Park and Brookside Gardens, Riverbend Park, Rock Creek Regional Park and Audubon Naturalist Society Refuge.
The Rockville Music Festival, Antique and Classic Car Show and the Hard Times Chili Cook-off are events which are held each year. The cultural life of the city is centered on the F Scott Fitzgerald Theatre and the Lincoln Park and Twinbrook Community Centers. Also of interest are the graves of F Scott Fitzgerald and his wife in the cemetery of St Mary's Catholic Church which has a chapel dating back to 1817.
History:
The land in the Rockville region was originally the home of Native Americans as early as 8000 BC. The first settlers arrived around 1717 and the settlement continued to grow so that by 1735 it was already recognized as part of the Prince George's County, although by various names – Owen's Ordinary, Hungerford Tavern and Daley's Tavern. By 1860 Rockville, although still a village had been incorporated and named after Rock Creek. In 1873 the Ohio and Baltimore Railroad reach the town. Rockville was officially incorporated as a city in 1860.