Published on: Thursday, April 09, 2009

Thursday, April 3, 1941

New Rockville Industries Near Boom-Town Proportions

Establishment Of Business Enterprises And Addition Of Subdivision Provide New Life To County Seat. Town Gets $25,000 N. Y. A. Sidewalk Construction Project

New industries and places of business in Rockville appear to have added renewed life to an otherwise placid and self sufficient town. Gaining almost boom-town proportions without fan fare and trumpet nearly a dozen enterprises have been started since the first of the year.

Most noticeable probably is the sub-division of low cost houses called Rockcrest located on the Viers Mill road. Planned to contain 184 low-cost houses, already 45 have been built. Headed by Thomas O. de Beck with Crawford F. Wade as secretary, the Rockcrest Realty Corporation is providing a much needed commodity in Rockville. By an Act of Legislature this year the little town will become a part of Rockville. Approximately 600 people will be added to the population and more than 100 men are employed in the construction work.

Across the railroad tracks is located the Maryland Concrete Products Corporation on Baltimore avenue, manufacturers of precast concrete blocks, posts and window sills, architectural cast stone and reflecting curbings for highways. Employing 15 men the new industry will expand rapidly according to George Hutchison, president, John T. Edmonds is vice president, while Fred Baugh is the engineer who designs most of the work. William S. Edmonds is in charge of the cabinet work.

Trading under the name of the Rockville Supply Company the newest store to sell feeds and poultry supplies is located on Commerce lane. C. L. Crawford is manager and William D. Clark, bookkeeper.

Katherine Weininger has opened a dress shop on West Montgomery avenue, while Edward H. Cashell has started the Rockville Insurance Agency. He expects to employ five salesmen.

East of their establishment Reed Brothers, automobile dealers, are building a large parts and repairs shop; while an auto accessory store is scheduled to open on East Montgomery avenue in the near future.

City Motors, under the new management of Ed Storey has changed its name to Suburban Oldsmobile Company, Inc. Fifteen men are employed there.

On South Perry street is being constructed the new office building of the Social Service League. It will house the present league staff. Miss Ruth Bolton is executive secretary, while Dr. J. W. Bird is president. Judge Thomas C. Kelly, Rockville, is chairman f the building committee. Funds from legacies will build the office.

Most significant of the improvements is the already started side walk construction work of Rockville. Planned in cooperation wit the National Youth Administration, approximately $25,000 will be expended.

Mayor Douglas M. Blandford stated that the town will provide the equipment, a foreman, an engineer and 15 per cent of the cost of the work, the NYA will supply 85 per cent of the cost and the workers.

Included in the program will be side walks, concrete curbing and gutters and sewer extension. About 50 young men will be employed and will be selected from applicants who are between 16 and 25 years old, out of school, unemployed and unmarried. Shirley Lee Biskin, NYA personnel clerk has been interviewing applicants for the jobs. Construction on side walks began this week on Jefferson street between Van Buren and Washington streets. Officials felt the need greater here because the traffic, both pedestrian and automobile, in connection with the pubic library and kindergarten located on the street, warranted the immediate improvement there.

Town Councilmen who are assisting in the program are Edgar Reed, G. LaMar Kelly, Oliver H. Perry and Dr. William A. Linthicum. John G. McDonald is engineer, while Elmer Hutchinson is foreman.

Remodeling the recently burned Lincoln Park colored high school cafeteria has also been stared. Approximately $3,000 will be provided by the school board, while labor will be provided by the NYA.