Noted as one of Montgomery County's most vibrant and laid back communities, Silver Spring, Maryland boasts an urban commercial center surrounded by convenient, comfortable and appealing neighborhoods. You may well consider moving to Silver Spring and joining the growing number of new store owners and restaurant operators clambering for a slice of the action. This is because this fine city of Silver Spring continues to provide world class entertainment and other facilities for all its citizens.
Economy:
Thanks to recent developments and revitalization efforts, Silver Spring has one of the strongest real estate markets in the region, an indication in itself that this vibrant City's economy is right up there with the best. Downtown Silver Spring developments together with the Route 29 Corridor are two areas of really positive economic activity, with the former attracting a diverse spread of new businesses and the latter drawing many health and technology-oriented companies. In July 2010, construction work was completed on the 42,000 square foot Silver Spring Civic Building and Veterans Plaza, complete with a new ice skating rink that will serve as a new community centre. Residents and visitors already spoiled for choices from Silver Springs' restaurant and retail sectors, are finding this new attraction an exciting addition to their lives.
History:
Deriving its name from a mica-flecked spring discovered in 1840, Silver Spring started out in 1842 when Francis Preston Blair bought much of the land that would make up the town. The location of the spring was marked by an acorn-shaped gazebo erected in Acorn Park in 1842, now an area of parkland more or less dominated by roads and buildings, although the gazebo still stands. During the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln visited Silver Spring on numerous occasions. In 1873, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroads Metropolitan Branch arrived, running from Washington, District of Columbia to Point of Rocks, Maryland via Silver Spring. By the early 20th Century, downtown Silver Spring was starting to grow with schools, colleges and a university opening. The development of the Silver Spring Shopping Center and Theatre in 1938 saw further development in downtown Silver Spring. By the 1950s, Silver Spring claimed to be the second busiest retail market between Baltimore and Richmond. Then, in 1978, the arrival of the Washington Metro Rail Service breathed new life into the Silver Spring economy and made the City a very attractive dormitory option for those working as far away as the National Capital. The dawn of the 21st Century saw the launch of new downtown Silver Spring developments with the building of several City blocks near City Place Mall. Implementation of this plan continues and Silver Spring's future accordingly looks very positive.
Tourism:
Downtown Silver Spring offers a variety of local, regional and international events that draw both locals and visitors on a regular basis. The International Film Festival, held each June and attracting 15,000 filmmakers and movie stars from around the globe, started in 2004 and you will want to be part of the action and attraction. Fancy an outdoor Summer Concert or perhaps a Magical Cultural Fair - they are both on offer together with the action-packed Montgomery County Annual Holiday Parade that you will also be sad to miss. If Golf is your game then your only difficulty will be on which of the fine courses to savor a round. Streetcars from the 1950s are the vogue at the National Capital Trolley Museum in downtown Silver Springs. With all of these exciting amenities, it's no wonder why Silver Spring vanlines are so busy.