Silver Spring Historical Society

Here is another item from the Silver Spring Historical Society Collection.

The state of Maryland started requiring the registration of automobiles in 1904 but it wasn't until 1910 that vehicles had to display state-issued plates. Front and rear license plates were required from 1910 to 1943, 1948 to 1951, and 1956 on. The only years that a single rear plate was required was 1944 to 1947 and 1952 to 1955.

It is assumed that this plate was manufactured between 1952 and 1955 as a novelty item to be placed on the front of a vehicle. Perhaps a variety of front plates were sold as fundraisers by fraternal organizations, high schools, or simply given away by auto dealers and the like.

Certainly there must be other versions of Silver Spring automobile plates out there, perhaps ones featuring the names of car dealerships or other local businesses. If you own one, please post it here.

Thank you!

Twenty-three years after Little Tavern #1 was demolished, the footprint of the building at Georgia Avenue and Ridley Street is demarcated by a patch of weeds.

Even the Silver Spring Heritage Trail marker commemorating LT that the SSHS installed in 2009 is gone. It was hit by an errant automobile and destroyed.

At least a photo of the sign lives on the Internet…

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=75468

(Tap image of sign that comes up to enlarge.)

Happy 119th Birthday to Rachel Carson!

Have you visited the park dedicated to her that is located in the 1100 block of Ripley Street in downtown Silver Spring?

https://silverspringdowntown.com/go/two-roads...

This 2006 image shows the “1" that was atop Station No. 1 at 8131 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD. It was illuminated at night. Too bad it was not kept on the station after relocation across the street.

And remember this tripartite window that was awkwardly suspended from an alcove cut into the Silver Spring Avenue elevation of the station? It was originally on the back (east) elevation of the station and removed when the two story brick addition/extension was added in the 1960s.

What happened to #1 and the window?

Today is the 111th anniversary of the founding of the Silver Spring Fire Department. The department was founded on this day in 1915, ten days following the destruction by fire of the Silver Spring Post Office. This group photo by Bruce Guthrie was taken in 2005 at the former Fire Station No. 1, 8131 Georgia Avenue, that was built in 1914.

What a bizarre juxtaposition between these transparent trash receptacles on the platform of the Wayne Avenue Purple Line Station and it’s 13 art glass panels depicting local trees and water imagery by artist Susan Zo***la!

All photos by Jerry A. McCoy, May 12, 2026.

Sixty-six years ago today presidential candidate John F. Kennedy was campaigning in south Silver Spring. Here he and his entourage are in the 1100 block of East-West Highway.

Did anyone meet him that day or in later years?

That time “cracksmen” blew the safe at the Silver Spring post office…

The Evening Star
May 10, 1922