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Do not fill this in! {{Other places}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2011}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Germantown, Maryland | official_name = | settlement_type = [[Census-designated place]] | nickname = | image_skyline = Germantown Library, Germantown, Maryland LCCN2012630021.tif | imagesize = | image_caption = Germantown Library | image_flag = | image_seal = | image_map = Montgomery_County_Maryland_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Germantown_Highlighted.svg | mapsize = 275x275px | map_caption = Location of Germantown in [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County]] and [[Maryland]] | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = United States | subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Maryland]] | subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Maryland|County]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery]] | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = | leader_name = | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | established_title = | established_date = | unit_pref = Imperial | area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_24.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 26, 2022}}</ref> | area_magnitude = | area_total_km2 = 44.35 | area_land_km2 = 44.12 | area_water_km2 = 0.23 | area_total_sq_mi = 17.12 | area_land_sq_mi = 17.03 | area_water_sq_mi = 0.09 | population_as_of = [[2020 United States Census|2020]] | population_total = 91249 | population_density_sq_mi = 5357.19 | population_density_km2 = 2068.40 | timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]] | utc_offset = −5 | timezone_DST = EDT | utc_offset_DST = −4 | elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> | elevation_ft = 489 | pushpin_map = Maryland#USA | pushpin_relief = yes | pushpin_map_caption = | pushpin_label = Germantown | coordinates = {{coord|39|11|0|N|77|16|0|W|type:city_region:US-MD|display=inline,title}} | postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]] | postal_code = 20874, 20875 (PO box only), 20876 | area_code = [[Area codes 240 and 301|301, 240]] | blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] | blank_info = 24-32025 | blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID | blank1_info = 2389836<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2389836}}</ref> | website = }} '''Germantown''' is an urbanized [[census-designated place]] in [[Montgomery County, Maryland]]. With a population of 91,249 as of the 2020 census, it is the third most populous place in Maryland, after [[Baltimore]] and [[Columbia, Maryland|Columbia]].<ref name="QuickFacts">{{cite web |title=QuickFacts: Germantown CDP, Maryland |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/germantowncdpmaryland/POP010220 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=17 August 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Maryland Trend Report 2: State and Complete Places |date= March 8, 2011 |work= Missouri Census Data Center |publisher= Missouri State Library, Missouri Secretary of State |url= http://mcdc.missouri.edu/webrepts/pl94trends/Maryland_stplace2.html |access-date= April 21, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110228062951/http://mcdc.missouri.edu/webrepts/pl94trends/Maryland_stplace2.html |archive-date= February 28, 2011 |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Germantown Looking to Incorporate: Area Would Be County's Largest Municipality|last=Burke|first=Garance|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=July 17, 2003|page=T03}}</ref> Germantown is located approximately {{convert|28|mi|km|abbr=out}} outside the U.S. capital of [[Washington, D.C.]], and is an important part of the [[Washington metropolitan area]]. Germantown was founded in the early 19th century by European immigrants, though much of the area's development did not take place until the mid-20th century. The original plan for Germantown divided the area into a downtown and six town villages:<ref>{{cite news |title= A Community In Progress; Fast-Growing Germantown Stands Apart in Montgomery |last= Perez-Rivas |first= Manuel |newspaper= The Washington Post |date= October 6, 1996 |page= A01 |id= {{ProQuest|307939077}} }}</ref> Gunners Lake Village, Kingsview Village,<ref>{{cite news |title= Antigrowth Battle Forges Germantown Identity |last= Meyer |first= Eugene L. |newspaper= The Washington Post |date= December 26, 1987 |page=B1 |id= {{ProQuest|306957084}} }}</ref> Churchill Village, Middlebrook Village,<ref name= revision/> Clopper's Mill Village, and Neelsville Village.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edens.com/centers/MD/Germantown/Neelsville-Village-Center|title=Neelsville Village Center|access-date=August 12, 2017|archive-date=August 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813011636/http://edens.com/centers/MD/Germantown/Neelsville-Village-Center|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Churchill Town Sector at the corner of [[Maryland Route 118]] and Middlebrook Road most closely resembles the center of Germantown because of the location of the Upcounty Regional Services Center, the Germantown Public Library, the Black Rock Arts Center, and pedestrian shopping that features an array of restaurants. Three exits to Interstate 270 [I-270] are less than one mile away, the [[Maryland Area Regional Commuter]] train is within walking distance, and the Germantown Transit Center that provides Ride On shuttle service to the [[Shady Grove station]] of the [[Washington Metro]]'s [[Red Line (Washington Metro)|Red Line]]. Germantown has the assigned [[ZIP code]]s of 20874 and 20876 for delivery and 20875 for [[post office box]]es. It is the only "Germantown, Maryland" recognized by the [[United States Postal Service]], though three other Maryland counties have unincorporated communities with the same name. ==History== ===Early history (1830–1865)=== In the 1830s and 1840s, the central business area was focused around the intersection of Liberty Mill Road and Clopper Road. Several German immigrants set up shop at the intersection and the town became known as "German Town", even though most residents of the town were of English or Scottish descent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.germantownmdhistory.org/?q=node/2|work=Germantown Historical Society |author=Germantown Historical Society|title=Germantown's History, A Brief Overview |quote=The crossroads became known as "German town" because of the heavy German accents of these people. The name has stuck even though a majority of the land-owners in the area were of English or Scottish descent. |access-date=March 10, 2013 }}</ref> ====American Civil War==== [[File:Maryland, Germantown. Headquarters Christian Commission in the Field. - NARA - 533327.jpg|thumb|A field headquarters of the U.S. Christian Commission at Germantown in September 1863]] Although it avoided much of the physical destruction that ravaged other cities in the region, the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] was still a cause of resentment and division among residents of Germantown. Many Germantown residents were [[Abolitionism|against slavery]] and had sons fighting for the [[Union Army]]. In contrast, other residents of Germantown owned slaves, and even those who were not slave-owners had sons fighting for the [[Confederate States Army|Confederate Army]]. As a result, many people in Germantown, who had been on friendly terms with each other, made an effort not to interact with each other, such as switching churches, or frequenting a store or mill miles away from the ones they would normally do business with.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.germantownmdhistory.org/?q=node/2|author=Germantown Historical Society|work=Germantown Historical Society|quote=The Civil War took a terrible toll on Germantown, not because there was any actual fighting here, but because of the animosities between neighbors that it created. Many of the families of German descent were against slavery and had sons fighting in the Union army. Many of the families of English descent owned slaves and even many who didn't, had sons fighting in the Confederate army. Many people who had formerly been friendly went out of their way to not have to deal with each other, some changing churches, or going to a mill or store miles distant from the one they usually used.|title=Germantown's History, A Brief Overview|access-date=March 10, 2013}}</ref> Late in the summer and fall of 1861, there were more than twenty thousand Union soldiers camped to the west of Germantown, in neighboring [[Darnestown, Maryland|Darnestown]] and [[Poolesville, Maryland|Poolesville]]. Occasionally, these soldiers would come to Germantown and frequent the stores there. In September 1862 and in June 1863, several regiments of Union Army soldiers marched north on [[Maryland Route 355]], on their way to the [[Battle of Antietam|battles of Antietam]] and [[Battle of Gettysburg|Gettysburg]], respectively. In July 1864, General [[Jubal Early]] led his army of Confederate soldiers down Maryland Route 355 to attack the Union capital of [[Washington, D.C.]] Throughout the course of the war, Confederate raiders would often pass through the Germantown area. Local farmers in the Germantown area lost horses and other livestock to both Union and Confederate armies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.germantownmdhistory.org/?q=node/2|author=Germantown Historical Society|work=Germantown Historical Society|quote=In the late summer and fall of 1861 there were more than 20,000 Union soldiers camped to the west of Germantown in the Darnestown and Poolesville areas. Sometimes these soldiers would come to the stores in Germantown. In September, 1862, and June, 1863, many regiments of Union soldiers marched north on Rt. 355 on their way to the Battles of Antietam and Gettysburg. In July, 1864, Gen. Jubal Early led his Confederate army down Rt. 355 to attack Washington, D.C. Confederate raiders also came through the area several times during the War. Local farmers lost horses and other livestock to the armies of both sides.|title=Germantown's History, A Brief Overview|access-date=March 10, 2013}}</ref> ====Assassination of Abraham Lincoln==== In 1865, [[George Atzerodt]], a co-conspirator in the [[assassination of Abraham Lincoln|assassination]] of [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[Abraham Lincoln]], was captured in Germantown. Atzerodt had come to the town with his family from Prussia when he was about nine years old. About five years later, his father moved the family to [[Virginia]], but Atzerodt still had many friends and relatives in Germantown.<ref name="American Brutus"/> He was living in Port Tobacco during the Civil War, and supplementing his meager income as a carriage painter by smuggling people across the Potomac River in a rowboat. This clandestine occupation brought him into contact with [[John Surratt]] and [[John Wilkes Booth]] and he was drawn into a plot to kidnap President Lincoln. On April 14, 1865, Booth gave Atzerodt a gun and told him that he was to kill [[Vice President of the United States|U.S. Vice President]] [[Andrew Johnson]], which he refused to do.<ref name="American Brutus"/> When he found out that Booth had shot Lincoln, Atzerodt panicked and fled to the Germantown farm of his cousin Hartman Richter, on Schaeffer Road near Clopper Road. He was discovered there by soldiers on April 20, six days after the assassination. Atzerodt was tried, convicted and [[Hanging|hanged]] on July 7, 1865, along with co-conspirators [[Mary Surratt]], [[Lewis Powell (assassin)|Lewis Powell]], and [[David Herold]] at [[Washington, D.C.]]'s [[Fort Lesley J. McNair|Fort McNair]].<ref name="American Brutus">{{cite book|last=Kauffman|first=M.|title=American Brutus|year=2004|publisher=Random House|isbn=0-375-75974-3|pages=282–284}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.germantownmdhistory.org/?q=node/2|author=Germantown Historical Society|work=Germantown Historical Society|title=Germantown's History, A Brief Overview}}</ref><ref>"George Atzerodt: The Reluctant Assassin," The Montgomery County Story, Montgomery County Historical Society, Vol. 58 No. 1, summer 2015</ref> ===Expansion (1865–1950)=== Germantown did not have a public school until after the end of the [[American Civil War]]. During that time, education was handled at home. In 1868, a one-room schoolhouse was built on [[Maryland Route 118]], near Black Rock Road, which hosted children from both Germantown and neighboring Darnestown.<ref name="19th century history"/> In 1883, a larger one-room schoolhouse was built closer to Clopper Road. Another, newer school was constructed in 1910, on what is now the site of Germantown Elementary School.<ref name="19th century history"/> This school had four rooms, with two downstairs and two upstairs, with each room housing two grade levels. After the eighth grade, the students would head via train to nearby Rockville, for further education.<ref name="19th century history">{{cite web|url=http://www.germantownmdhistory.org/?q=node/2|author=Germantown Historical Society|work=Germantown Historical Society|title=Germantown's History, A Brief Overview|quote=There was no public school in Germantown until after the Civil War. Before that time school was held in people's homes. In 1868 there was a one-room school on built on Rt. 118 near Blackrock Road that served the children of both Germantown and Darnestown. In 1883 a larger one-room school was built closer to Clopper Road to teach the children of Germantown. Another new school was built in 1910 on the present site of Germantown Elementary school. This school had four rooms—two downstairs and two upstairs—each room housing two grades. After eighth grade the children rode the train to attend high-school in Rockville.|access-date=March 10, 2013}}</ref> [[File:The Cider Barrel, Germantown, Maryland, 1925.jpg|thumb|The Germantown Cider Barrel in 1925.]] The wooden structure of the Bowman Brothers Mill fell victim to a fire in 1914. Four years later, the owners were back in business again, selling the mill to the Liberty Milling Company, a brand new corporation. Augustus Selby was the first owner and manager of the new Liberty Mill, which opened in 1918. Electricity was brought into Liberty Mill and also served the homes and businesses nearby, making Germantown the first area in the northern portion of Montgomery County to receive electricity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.germantownmdhistory.org/?q=node/2|work=Germantown Historical Society|author=Germantown Historical Society|quote=Fire engulfed the old wooden structure of the Bowman Brothers Mill in 1914, but four years later they were in business again and sold the mill to a brand new corporation—the Liberty Milling Company. Augustus Selby was the first owner/manager of the new mill which opened in 1918. Electricity was brought into the mill and also served the homes and businesses nearby, making this the first area in the northern part of the county to get electricity.|title=Germantown's History, A Brief Overview|access-date=March 10, 2013}}</ref> In 1935, professional baseball player [[Walter Perry Johnson]], who played as a pitcher for the Washington Senators (now the [[Minnesota Twins]]), purchased a farm on what is now the site of [[Seneca Valley High School]]. Used as a dairy farm, Johnson lived there with his five children and his mother (his wife had died), until his death in 1946.<ref name="WalterPerryJohnson">{{cite web|url=http://www.germantownmdhistory.org/?q=node/2|author=Germantown Historical Society|work=Germantown Historical Society|title=Germantown's History, A Brief Overview|quote=Johnson bought his dream farm in Germantown in 1935 and lived here with his five children and his mother, his wife having passed away, until his death in 1946. His dairy farm was located where Seneca Valley High School is today. He was elected by the local people to two terms as a County Commissioner.|access-date=March 10, 2013}}</ref> A road near the school was named after him.{{citation needed|date=May 2019}} "Feed the Liberty Way" was used as a slogan for Liberty Mill which, with eight silos, became the second largest mill in all of Maryland, supplying flour to the [[United States Army]] during [[World War II]]. Cornmeal and animal feed were also manufactured at Liberty Mill, and a store at the mill sold specialty mixes, such as pancake and muffin mix.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.germantownmdhistory.org/?q=node/2|work=Germantown Historical Society|author=Germantown Historical Society|quote="Feed the Liberty Way" was the slogan for the mill which, with its 8 silos, became the second largest mill in Maryland and supplied flour for the army during World War II. Cornmeal and animal feed were also made at the mill, and a mill store sold specialty mixes like pancake and muffin mix.|title=Germantown's History, A Brief Overview|access-date=March 10, 2013}}</ref> Following the end of [[World War II]], the Liberty Mill went into disrepair. For over 25 years, the mill continued to deteriorate until it was destroyed by an arsonist on May 30, 1972.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.germantownmdhistory.org/?q=node/2|work=Germantown Historical Society|author=Germantown Historical Society|quote=After the war the mill went into decline, and was burned by arson in 1971.|title=Germantown's History, A Brief Overview|access-date=March 10, 2013}}</ref> The cement silos were removed by the county in 1986 to make way for the MARC Germantown train station commuter parking lot.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://patch.com/maryland/germantown/the-dawn-of-the-industrial-age-in-germantown | title=The Dawn of the Industrial Age in Germantown | date=August 25, 2011 }}</ref> ===Development and master plan (1950–1980)=== [[File:Cider Barrel in Germantown, Maryland (1966), by Dan Brodt.jpg|thumb|Cider Barrel in 1966]] In January 1958, the [[U.S. Atomic Energy Commission]] was relocated from its location in downtown [[Washington, D.C.]], to Germantown, which was considered far enough from the city to withstand a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] nuclear attack.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.er.doe.gov/SC-80/trail/history.htm |title=Redirection Page |work=U.S. DOE Office of Science (SC) |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911094925/http://www.er.doe.gov/sc-80/trail/history.htm |archive-date=September 11, 2009 |df=mdy }}</ref> The facility now operates as an administration complex for the [[U.S. Department of Energy]] and headquarters for its Office of Biological and Environmental Research.<ref name="Biological"/> Marshall Davis owned a farm located where [[Interstate 270 (Maryland)|I-270]] and Germantown Road intersect today.<ref name= once>{{cite news |title= Once-Rural Germantown Growing Up |first= Felicity |last= Barringer |newspaper= The Washington Post |date= September 19, 1977 |page= A1 |id= {{ProQuest|146738794}} }}</ref> After I-270 divided his farm in two, Davis decided to sell the last of his land to the International Development Corporation for about $1,300 per acre in 1955.<ref name= once/> [[Fairchild-Hiller Corporation]] bought the land for about $4,000 per acre in 1964, and it built an industrial park on the land four years later.<ref name= once/> Harry Unglesee and his family sold their farm near Hoyles Mill Road for less than $1,000 per acre in 1959.<ref name= once/> Other farmers soon sold their land to developers and speculators as well.<ref name= once/> The Germantown Master Plan was adopted in 1967.<ref name= boasts>{{cite news |title= Germantown Master Plan Boasts a Time Schedule |newspaper= The Washington Post |date= August 11, 1973 |page= E21 |id= {{ProQuest|148394807}} }}</ref> The plan for the {{convert|17|sqmi|km2|adj=on}} area included a dense central downtown area and less dense development surrounding it.<ref name= revision>{{cite news|title=Revision Approved Of Germantown Plan: 'New Town' Plan Change Is Approved|first=Alice|last=Bonner|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 9, 1974|page=C1|id={{ProQuest|146220112}}}}</ref> In 1967, the [[Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority]], in its planning of the [[Washington metro]], considered having Germantown be the western terminus for the [[Red Line (Washington Metro)|Red Line]]. Ultimately, [[Shady Grove station|Shady Grove]] was selected instead.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://architectofthecapital.org/posts/2016/6/18/wmata-metro-proposal-1967 | title=WMATA's Metro Proposal from 1967 | date=June 19, 2016 }}</ref> In 1974, the Montgomery County Council approved an amended plan written by the Montgomery County Planning Board.<ref name= boasts/> The amended plan included a downtown area and six separate villages, each comprising smaller neighborhoods with schools, shopping areas, and public facilities.<ref name= revision/> The amended plan also included the construction of a third campus for [[Montgomery College]] near the downtown area.<ref name= revision/> The same year, the completion of a sewer line helped the development and growth of Germantown.<ref name="Sewer">{{cite web|url=http://www.germantownmdhistory.org/?q=node/2|author=Germantown Historical Society|work=Germantown Historical Society|title=Germantown's History, A Brief Overview|quote=The area felt a new surge of energy with the building of interstate 270 in the 1960s. For a while the old and the new mixed as employees of the Atomic Energy Commission (now the Department of Energy) came to the old Germantown store for lunch and Mr. Burdette's cows often had to be cleared from the road. When the sewer line was completed in 1974 building in Germantown began in earnest.|access-date=March 10, 2013}}</ref> During the 1970s, [[Wernher von Braun]], a German rocket scientist during [[World War II]], worked for the aerospace company [[Fairchild Industries]], which had offices in Germantown, as its vice president for Engineering and Development. Von Braun worked at Fairchild Industries from July 1, 1972, until his death on June 16, 1977.<ref name="Braun">{{cite web|url=https://www.biography.com/people/wernher-von-braun-9224912|title=Wernher von Braun Biography|publisher=A&E Television Networks, LLC|access-date=September 19, 2017}}</ref> The [[A-10 Thunderbolt]] and the landing gear of the [[Space Shuttle]] were both designed at these offices.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.rockvillenights.com/2023/08/fairchild-apartments-in-germantown.html | title=Fairchild Apartments in Germantown recall the golden age of Montgomery County (Photos) }}</ref> The Germantown Campus of [[Montgomery College]] opened on October 21, 1978. At the time, it consisted of two buildings, 24 employees, and 1,200 students.<ref name="Montgomery College">{{cite web|url=http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/edu/maps.aspx?id=23554|title=Montgomery College – Germantown Campus|publisher=Montgomery College|access-date=August 16, 2017|archive-date=August 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822103254/http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/edu/maps.aspx?id=23554|url-status=dead}}</ref> Enrollment had increased to five thousand students by 2003, with eighty employees across four buildings. A steel [[water tower]] modeled after the [[Earth]] can be seen from orbiting satellites in [[outer space]]. As of 2008, a forty-acre bio-technology laboratory was nearing completion.<ref>{{cite book|last=Coleman|first=Margaret|title=Then & Now: Around Germantown|url=http://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=wikipedia&q=isbn%3A9780738554167|access-date=March 8, 2013|year=2008|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|location=Charleston, South Carolina|isbn=978-0-7385-5416-7|page=72|quote=Montgomery College, Germantown Campus, opened October 21, 1978, with two buildings, 1,200 students, and a faculty of 24. A steel water towel modeled Planet Earth as seen from a satellite. By 2003, enrollment was 5,000 with 80 faculty members in four buildings. A 40-acre biotechnology laboratory is nearing competition in 2008.}}</ref> ===Economic growth and modern development (1980–present)=== [[File:Wea02110 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg|thumb|[[Seneca Creek State Park]]'s Clopper Lake in October 2002]] Since the early 1980s, Germantown has experienced rapid economic and population growth, both in the form of townhouses and single-family dwellings, and an urbanized "town center" has been built. Germantown was the fastest growing zip code in the [[Washington metropolitan area]] and Maryland in 1986, and the 1980s saw a population growth of 323.3% for Germantown.<ref>{{cite news|title=Germantown: Zip Code Seeking Identity; Montgomery Community's Dream Is Sidetracked by Economics|last=Meyer|first= Eugene L.|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 17, 1987|page=A1|id={{ProQuest|306866256}}}}</ref> In 2000, the Upcounty Regional Services Center opened in Germantown, and a 16,000 square feet section of the first floor was home to the Germantown Public Library for several years until it moved to a new, 19 million dollar complex in 2007.<ref name="RenamedCenter">{{cite web |url=http://www.gazette.net/article/20130930/NEWS/130939994/1261/germantown-center-renamed-for-former-county-executive&template=gazette |first=Sylvia |last=Carignan |location=9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Maryland |title=Germantown center renamed for former county executive: Ceremony to be held Sept. 29 |date=September 30, 2013 |work=The Gazette |publisher=Post-Newsweek Media, Inc. |access-date=October 4, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005153634/http://www.gazette.net/article/20130930/NEWS/130939994/1261/germantown-center-renamed-for-former-county-executive%26template%3Dgazette |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref><ref name="GTPL">{{cite book|last=Coleman|first=Margaret|title=Then & Now: Around Germantown|url=http://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=wikipedia&q=isbn%3A9780738554167|access-date=March 8, 2013|year=2008|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|location=Charleston, South Carolina|isbn=978-0-7385-5416-7|page=58|quote=Until recent years, Germantown book lovers went to the library in Gaithersburg or patronized the weekly bookmobile. In the year 2000, the Upcounty Regional Services Center opened and the largest first-floor space became the library. In 2007, the Germantown Public Library moved to its own, separate location. The new library opened at a cost of $19 million. Now library space is enlarged from 16,000 to 44,193 square feet on two levels. There are 180,000 volumes on the shelves, and 37 PCs available for public use.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mont.lib.md.us/gt.html|title=Germantown Community Library|date=November 1996|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970330211323/http://www.mont.lib.md.us/gt.html|archive-date=March 30, 1997|work=Montgomery County Public Libraries|location=Montgomery County, Maryland}}</ref> On September 29, 2013, it was renamed as the Sidney Kramer Upcounty Regional Services Center after Sidney Kramer, Montgomery County executive from 1986 to 1990.<ref name="RenamedCenter"/> In October 2000, the [[Maryland SoccerPlex]] opened in Germantown.<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.mdsoccerplex.org/aboutus/mdsoccerplex/857704.html|title=Maryland Soccerplex History|publisher=Maryland Soccer Foundation|date=May 6, 2000|access-date=August 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609035021/http://www.mdsoccerplex.org/aboutus/mdsoccerplex/857704.html|archive-date=June 9, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The sports complex includes nineteen natural grass fields, three artificial fields, a 5,200 seat soccer stadium with lighting and press box, eight indoor convertible basketball/volleyball courts.<ref name="Soccerplex Map"/> Two miniature golf courses, a splash park, a driving range, an archery course, community garden, model boat pond, two BMX courses, tennis center, and a swim center are also located within the confines of the complex.<ref name="Soccerplex Map">{{cite web|url=http://www.mdsoccerplex.org/aboutus/mdsoccerplex/857706.html|title=Maryland Soccerplex Map|publisher=Maryland Soccer Foundation|access-date=August 14, 2017|archive-date=August 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825061451/http://www.mdsoccerplex.org/aboutus/mdsoccerplex/857706.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The soccerplex was the home of the [[Washington Spirit]] of the [[National Women's Soccer League]] from 2013 to 2019.<ref name="History"/> On October 14, 2002, the [[D.C. sniper attacks|D.C. snipers]] briefly stopped at Milestone Shopping center in Germantown.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7sSzi4c_Fc&list=PLOYjsh73gPKRoMOpdsZwLm_ny3cNyoSgy&index=21&ab_channel=FOX5WashingtonDC | title=Call Me God - Episode 6 | Three Weeks of Hell: The DC Snipers Podcast | website=[[YouTube]] }}</ref> In 2003, one of Germantown's trailer parks, the Cider Barrel Mobile Home Park, closed after decades of operation, having been in business since at least the 1970s.<ref name=last2close>{{cite news |url=http://www.gazette.net/stories/112807/germnew201732_32363.shtml |title=County's last trailer park to close |newspaper=The Gazette |date=November 28, 2007 |access-date=July 19, 2018 |first=Meghan |last=Tierney |archive-date=July 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719113716/http://www.gazette.net/stories/112807/germnew201732_32363.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://insidemc.montgomerycollege.edu/details.php?id=41472 |title=William E. Cross Foundation Awards $20,000 to Support Montgomery College Students |publisher=Montgomery College |date=December 3, 2012 |access-date=July 19, 2018 |quote=The Cross family established the Cider Barrel Mobile Home Park on Route 355 in Germantown, Md., not far from the College's Germantown Campus. }}</ref> Despite this closure, the Barrel building itself was preserved, with a cluster of [[apartment#Garden apartment (US)|garden apartments]] erected near it.<ref name=last2close /> On August 14, 2011, a [[7-Eleven]] convenience store in downtown Germantown fell victim to a [[flash rob|flash mob robbery]] of nearly forty people.<ref name="FlashMobRob"/> The incident garnered widespread attention in the United States and internationally.<ref name="FlashMobRob">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/crime-scene/post/possible-flash-mob-robbery-in-germantown/2011/08/15/gIQAmZFvGJ_blog.html#pagebreak|title=Police probe Germantown flash-mob thefts|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 15, 2011|access-date=March 10, 2013|author=Justin Jouvenal and Dan Morse}}</ref> Holy Cross Health opened a {{convert|237000|sqft|adj=on}} hospital on the campus of Montgomery College in October 2014, becoming the first hospital in the U.S. to be built on a community college campus.<ref name="HCH">{{cite web|url=http://www.holycrosshealth.org/about-holycrossgermantown|title=About Holy Cross Health – Germantown|publisher=Holy Cross Health|access-date=September 19, 2017}}</ref> The opening of the new 93-bed hospital strengthened the college's medical program by giving students the opportunity for hands-on work and access to more advanced medical technology.<ref name="HCH"/> The hospital was projected to eventually bring 5,000 new jobs to the area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.holycrosshealth.org/hcgh |title=Holy Cross Germantown Hospital |publisher=Holy Cross Health |access-date=May 11, 2014 }}</ref> In August 2017, Brandi Edinger initiated efforts to [[crowdfund]] the repurposing of the historic Cider Barrel as a bakery via [[Kickstarter]], but failed to meet the $80,000 goal set.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zimmermann |first1=Joe |title=Germantown Resident Hopes to Resurrect Cider Barrel as Bakery |url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/dine/germantown-resident-hopes-to-resurrect-cider-barrel-as-bakery/ |website=Bethesda Magazine |access-date=2 January 2020 |date=10 August 2017}}</ref> On January 1, 2020, it was reported that plans are underway to reopen the Barrel in the spring of that year after it was closed for nearly two decades.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tsironis |first1=Alex |title=The Cider Barrel to Reopen This Spring |url=https://www.mocoshow.com/blog/the-cider-barrel-is-coming-back/ |website=The MoCoShow |access-date=2 January 2020 |date=1 January 2020}}</ref> However, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] it had been delayed indefinitely.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Pekow |first1=Charles |title=Will the Cider Barrel ever reopen? |url=https://www.montgomerymag.com/will-the-cider-barrel-ever-reopen/ |website=Montgomery Magazine |access-date=6 July 2022 |date=6 April 2022}}</ref> ==Geography== According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the community has a total area of 10.9 sq mi (28.0 km{{sup|2}}), of which all but {{convert|0.1|km2|abbr=on|order=flip}} (0.46%) is land. ===Climate=== Germantown lies within the [[humid subtropical climate]] zone ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfa''), with hot, humid summers, cool winters, and generous precipitation year-round.<ref name="Climate"/> Its location above the [[Atlantic Seaboard fall line|Fall Line]] in the [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]] region gives it slightly lower temperatures than cities to the south and east such as [[Washington, D.C.]], and [[Silver Spring, Maryland|Silver Spring]].<ref name="Climate"/> Summers are hot and humid with frequent afternoon [[thunderstorm]]s. July is the warmest month, with an average temperature of {{convert|86|°F|1}}.<ref name="Averages">{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/wxclimatology/monthly/20874 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816081041/http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/fitness/wxclimatology/monthly/20874 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 16, 2013 |title=Monthly Averages for Germantown, MD (20874) |publisher=Weather.com |access-date=August 16, 2013}}</ref> Winters are cool but variable, with sporadic snowfall and lighter rain showers of longer duration. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of {{convert|29|°F|1}}.<ref name="Averages"/> Average annual rainfall totals {{convert|40.36|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Climate">{{cite web |url=http://www.intellicast.com/Local/History.aspx?location=usmd0177|title=Germantown, Maryland, monthly averages|work=Intellicast|publisher=The Weather Channel, LLC|access-date=August 12, 2017}}</ref> ==Demographics== {{US Census population |1980= 9721 |1990= 41145 |2000= 55419 |2010= 86395 |2020= 91249 |footnote=Source:<ref name="2013 Census">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING (1790–2000)|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=July 17, 2010}}</ref><br />2010–2020<ref name="QuickFacts"/> }} As of 2013 estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau, Germantown had a population of 90,676.<ref name="Census">{{cite web |url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0762158.html |work=Infoplease |title=Preference for Racial or Ethnic Terminology |access-date=2006-02-08}}</ref> As of the census of 2010, there were 86,395 people, and 30,531 households residing in the area.<ref name="2010 Census">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/PST040214/2432025/accessible#qf-flag-X|title=2010 Census for Germantown, Maryland|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=August 23, 2017}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|8,019|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the area was 36.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|white]], 21.8% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 19.7% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.3% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 18.4% of the population. There were 20,893 households, out of which 41.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.4% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 1.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.19. In the area, the population was spread out, with 28.9% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 43.0% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 3.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males. The median income for a household in Germantown was $76,061 as of a 2010 estimate by the website, ''City-Data''.<ref name="City Data">{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/city/Germantown-Maryland.html|work=City-Data|title=Germantown, Maryland}}</ref> 6.5% of the population and 3.5% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 5.9% are under the age of 18 and 9.9% are 65 or older.<ref name="City Data"/> In 2023, [[WalletHub]] honored Germantown as the most ethnically diverse city in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Estulin |first1=Shayna |title=Germantown tops list of most diverse places in the US |url=https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2023/02/germantown-md-tops-list-of-most-diverse-places-in-the-u-s/#:~:text=Germantown%2C%20a%20Montgomery%20County%2C%20Maryland,linguistic%20diversity%20and%20birthplace%20diversity. |website=[[WTOP-FM|WTOP]] |access-date=22 March 2023 |date=22 February 2023}}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable" |- |colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | '''Population by race in Germantown, Maryland (2010)''' |- ! Race !! Population !! % of Total |- | Total || 86,395 || 100 |- | [[White Americans|Caucasian]] || 31,102 || 36.3 |- | [[African American]] || 18,813 || 21.8 |- | [[Asian American|Asian]] || 17,001 || 19.7 |- | [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]] || 15,879 || 18.4 |- | [[Race (human classification)|Other]] || 258 || 0.3 |- | [[Race (human classification)|Two or more races]] || 2,847 || 3.3 |- | [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian]] || 172 || 0.2 |- |colspan="3"|Source:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://suburbanstats.org/population/maryland/how-many-people-live-in-germantown|title=Germantown, Maryland Population Statistics|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=October 8, 2013}}</ref> |} ==Economy== [[File:Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union, Germantown, Maryland, May 24, 2014.JPG|thumb|The headquarters of the Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union in May 2014]] Since development began in the late 20th century, Germantown has experienced [[economies of agglomeration]], with many high-tech companies opening headquarters and other offices in Germantown and other areas along the I-270 corridor. [[Qiagen]] North America, Earth Network Systems Inc., Digital Receiver Technology Inc.,<ref>[http://www.drti.com/ DRT, Inc],</ref> Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union, and [[Hughes Network Systems]] all have their headquarters in Germantown.<ref>"[http://www.lssi.com/contact.html Contact Us] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120904112854/http://www.lssi.com/contact.html |date=September 4, 2012 }}." [[Library Systems & Services]]. Retrieved on September 27, 2010. "US Corporate Headquarters Library Systems & Services, LLC 12850 Middlebrook Road Suite 400 Germantown, MD 20874-5244."</ref> In addition to the companies headquartered in Germantown, many have offices in the area, including [[Wabtec]], [[Viasat (American company)|Viasat]], RADA USA, Mars Symbioscience, Xerox, General Electric Aviation, Earth Networks, [[WeatherBug]], and Proxy Aviation Systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.proxyaviation.com/|title=Proxy Aviation Systems}}</ref> ==Government== Despite its size, Germantown has never been incorporated formally as a town or a city. It has no mayor or city council and is thus governed by [[Montgomery County, Maryland|Montgomery County]]. It is now represented by Democrat Marilyn Balcombe in the Montgomery County Council, after being represented by [[Craig L. Rice]] from 2010 through 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mymcmedia.org/germantown-named-second-most-diverse-city-in-the-country/ |title=Germantown Named Second-most Diverse City in the Country |first=Aline |last=Barros |quote=Germantown is not an incorporated city but is administered by the Montgomery County government. |date=February 19, 2015 |work=MyMCMedia |access-date=March 25, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221105527/http://www.mymcmedia.org/germantown-named-second-most-diverse-city-in-the-country/ |archive-date=February 21, 2015 |df=mdy }}</ref> Germantown is part of two districts for the [[Maryland General Assembly]], 15 (ZIP code 20874), and 39 (ZIP code 20876).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Find My Representatives|url=http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Members/District|access-date=21 December 2020|website=Maryland General Assembly}}</ref> For the US Congress, it is part of [[Maryland's 6th congressional district|Maryland's 6th district]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=My Congressional District|url=https://www.census.gov/mycd/?st=24&cd=0|access-date=21 December 2020|website=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[United States Department of Energy|U.S. Department of Energy]] has its headquarters for the Office of Biological and Environmental Research in Germantown.<ref name="Biological">{{cite web|url=https://science.energy.gov/ber/|title=U.S. Office of Biological and Environmental Research|publisher=U.S. Department of Energy|access-date=September 5, 2017}}</ref> The [[United States Atomic Energy Commission|U.S. Atomic Energy Commission]] was moved from its location in downtown [[Washington, D.C.]], to the present-day U.S. Department of Energy building in Germantown because of fears of a [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] nuclear attack on the U.S. capital.<ref name="Nuclear">{{cite web|url=https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/AEC%20History.pdf|title=AEC History|date=July 1, 1983|publisher=U.S. Department of Energy|access-date=September 5, 2017}}</ref> At the time, Germantown was believed to be far enough from Washington, D.C., to avoid the worst effects of a nuclear strike on the city.<ref name="Nuclear"/> The facility now operates as an administration complex for the [[U.S. Department of Energy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://science.energy.gov/bes/about/organizational-history/germantown-natural-history/germantown-site-history/|title=Germantown Site History|publisher=U.S. Department of Energy|access-date=September 5, 2017}}</ref> ==Education== [[File:Spark Matsunaga Elementary School in Germantown, Maryland, USA.jpg|thumb|Spark Matsunaga Elementary School in 2009]] All the public schools in Germantown are part of the [[Montgomery County Public Schools (Maryland)|Montgomery County Public Schools]] (MCPS) system.<ref name="Clusters"/> The elementary schools in Germantown are Cedar Grove Elementary School, Clopper Mill Elementary School, Fox Chapel Elementary School, Germantown Elementary School, Great Seneca Creek Elementary School, Captain James E. Daly Jr. Elementary School, Lake Seneca Elementary School, Ronald McNair Elementary School, Sally K. Ride Elementary School, Spark Matsunaga Elementary School, S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, Waters Landing Elementary School, and [[William B. Gibbs Jr.]] Elementary School.<ref name="Clusters"/> The four [[middle school]]s are [[Kingsview Middle School]], Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, Neelsville Middle School, and Roberto W. Clemente Middle School, which feed into three high schools: [[Northwest High School (Montgomery County, Maryland)|Northwest High School]], [[Clarksburg High School]] and [[Seneca Valley High School]]. Students from Kingsview move on to Northwest, students from Neelsville move on to Clarksburg while those from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Roberto W. Clemente Middle Schools move on to Seneca Valley High School.<ref name="Clusters">{{cite web|url=http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/clusteradmin/clusters/|title=MCPS Clusters|publisher=Montgomery County Public Schools|access-date=August 14, 2017}}</ref> Additionally, the Longview School, which provides special education services, is located in Germantown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schoolodex/schooloverview.aspx?s=01951|title=Longview School|publisher=Montgomery County Public Schools}}</ref> [[Montgomery College]], the largest higher education institution in Montgomery County, has its largest campus in Germantown. It is located on Observation Drive not far from the downtown area.<ref name="Montgomery College"/> ==Culture== [[File:US Navy 090801-N-6914S-065 Members of the U.S. Navy Band rock ensemble,.jpg|thumb|right|Sailors from the [[United States Navy Band]] perform at the [[BlackRock Center for the Arts]] in Germantown, Maryland, on August 1, 2009.]] ===Music=== The [[BlackRock Center for the Arts]] is located in the downtown Germantown, at the Germantown Town Center. The BlackRock Center for the Arts also sponsors the Germantown Oktoberfest, an annual festival held every year in the fall, which includes various genres of music, including traditional [[German folk music|German folk]], rock and pop.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.germantownoktoberfest.org|title=Germantown Oktoberfest|publisher=Germantown, MD|access-date=September 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829193011/http://www.germantownoktoberfest.org/|archive-date=August 29, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Harmony Express Men's Chorus]] is a 4-part [[a cappella]] men's chorus based in Germantown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://harmony-express.org/|title=Harmony Express Men's Chorus|publisher=Harmony Society|access-date=September 5, 2017}}</ref> The band [[Clutch (band)|Clutch]] is also from Germantown. Members of the group attended [[Seneca Valley High School]] together, with several members graduating with the Class of 1989. Two years later, in 1991, the band was formed.<ref name="Clutch"/> ===Sports=== The [[Maryland SoccerPlex]] sports complex is located in Germantown. Maureen Hendrick's Field at Championship Stadium hosts many amateur, collegiate, and regional [[soccer]] and lacrosse tournaments.<ref name="History" /> The Montgomery County Road Runners Club annually hosts the Riley's Rumble Half Marathon & 8K that starts and finishes in the SoccerPlex.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Riley's Rumble Half Marathon & 8K 2020 – CANCELLED|url=https://mcrrc.org/calendar-event/rileys-rumble-half-marathon-8k-2020/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Montgomery County Road Runners Club|language=en-US}}</ref> The SoccerPlex formerly hosted the [[Washington Spirit]] of the [[National Women's Soccer League]]. The Germantown Swim Center is also located within the SoccerPlex. The swim center has hosted many major swimming events including Metros and the 2022 Landmark Conference Swimming & Diving Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2021–22 Landmark Conference Swimming & Diving Championship|url=https://www.landmarkconference.org/sports/swimdive/2021-22/championships}}</ref> ===Historical society=== The Germantown Historical Society (GHS) was formed in 1990 as a non-profit organization with a mission to educate the public about local history and preserve local historic sites.<ref name="Historical Society"/> The GHS office and future museum is located in the historic Germantown Bank (1922) at 19330 Mateny Hill Road, across from the MARC railroad station. The GHS offers lectures on local history and has traveling exhibits about Germantown.<ref name="Historical Society"/> It also sells the books, Liberty Mill T-shirts, and other souvenirs. The main fundraiser for the organization is the Germantown Community Flea Market, held on the first Saturday of the month April through November in the MARC parking lot, Rt. 118 and Bowman Mill Drive, featuring more than 150 vendors.<ref name="Historical Society">{{cite web |url=http://www.germantownmdhistory.org |title=Germantown Historical Society |publisher=Germantown Historical Society |access-date=February 11, 2016 }}</ref> ===Media=== Germantown is served by a news and information website known as the ''Germantown Pulse''.<ref name="Pulse">{{cite web|url=http://www.germantownpulse.net/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115170312/https://www.germantownpulse.net/|archive-date=January 15, 2020|title=Germantown Pulse|access-date=August 16, 2017}}</ref> The ''Germantown Pulse'' covers a wide range of topics, including sports, schools, crime, music, and other events of note in the area.<ref name="Pulse"/> However, its main website ceased to update by August 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Rourke |first1=Kevin |title=Thank You, Germantown, for Five Amazing Years |url=https://www.germantownpulse.net/single-post/2019/07/19/Thank-You-Germantown-for-Five-Amazing-Years|website=Germantown Pulse |access-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124223125/https://www.germantownpulse.net/single-post/2019/07/19/Thank-You-Germantown-for-Five-Amazing-Years |archive-date=24 January 2020}}</ref> ===Veterans=== Germantown veterans are served by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, American Legion Post 295.<ref name="Vets">{{cite web |url=http://www.amlegionpost295.org |title=American Legion Post 295 Vietnam Veterans Memorial |publisher=American Legion Post 295 |access-date=August 1, 2016 }}</ref> American Legion Post 295 sponsors Cub Scout Pack 436, a Venturing Crew and is establishing a Sea Scout Ship. American Legion Boys State and American Legion Baseball have been longtime programs supported by the Post.<ref name="Vets"/> ==Transportation== [[File:Interstate 270 (northbound), Germantown, Maryland, September 9, 2013.jpg|thumb|right|[[Interstate 270 (Maryland)|I-270]] (northbound) in Germantown]] Germantown is [[Bisection|bisected]] by [[Interstate 270 (Maryland)|I-270]], one of Maryland's busiest highways. Northbound traffic heads toward [[Frederick, Maryland|Frederick]] and [[Interstate 70 in Maryland|I-270]] and southbound traffic heads toward [[Bethesda, Maryland|Bethesda]] and the [[Capital Beltway]].<ref name="I-270">{{cite web|url=https://www.interstate-guide.com/i-270_md.html|title=Interstate 270 in Maryland|publisher=Interstate-Guide|access-date=August 16, 2017|archive-date=August 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817040639/https://www.interstate-guide.com/i-270_md.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> I-270 has three exits in Germantown.<ref name="I-270"/> [[File:Wea04926 (39992248522).jpg|thumb|[[Germantown (MARC station)|Germantown MARC station]]]] Germantown also has a [[Germantown (MARC station)|station]] on the [[MARC train]]'s [[Brunswick Line]], which operates over [[CSX]]'s [[Metropolitan Subdivision]]. The station building itself, at the corner of Liberty Mill Road and Mateny Hill Road, is a copy of the original 1891 structure designed by [[Ephraim Francis Baldwin|E. Francis Baldwin]] for the [[Baltimore and Ohio Railroad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mta.maryland.gov/marc-station-information#Brunswick|title=MARC Station Information – Brunswick Line|publisher=MARC|access-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref> The modern station building was rebuilt after it was destroyed by arson in 1978.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://patch.com/maryland/germantown/the-germantown-train-station|title=Germantown Train Station History|date=January 23, 2013|publisher=Patch|access-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref> The Montgomery County public transit bus system, [[Ride On (bus)|Ride On]], serving Montgomery County with over 100 bus routes, operates a major transit hub in Germantown known as the Germantown Transit Center.<ref name="GTC">{{cite web|url=http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-transit/|title=Ride On Bus|publisher=Montgomery County Department of Transportation|access-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref> The transit center serves approximately 20 routes, making it one of the largest transit centers in the county.<ref name="GTC"/> {{As of|2017}}, a light rail system, the [[Corridor Cities Transitway]], is under evaluation. If constructed, the system would connect the terminal of the [[Red Line (Washington Metro)|Washington Metro Red Line]], [[Shady Grove station]] in nearby [[Derwood, Maryland|Derwood]] to Germantown and continue northward to [[Clarksburg, Maryland|Clarksburg]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cctmaryland.com/|title=Corridor Cities Transitway Project Page|publisher=Maryland Transit Administration|access-date=August 13, 2017}}</ref> ==In popular culture== Germantown is featured in the video game ''[[Fallout 3]]'' (2008). After the town has been destroyed by a nuclear war, 'Germantown Police HQ' subsequently becomes a mutant-run prison camp.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://planetfallout.gamespy.com/wiki/Fallout_3_Locations#Fallout_3_Germantown_Police_Station |access-date=30 May 2012 |website=Planet Fallout Wiki |title=''Fallout 3'' Locations |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120605000050/http://planetfallout.gamespy.com/wiki/Fallout_3_Locations#Fallout_3_Germantown_Police_Station |archive-date=June 5, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref> While the in-game location name 'Germantown Police HQ' is actually a misnomer. The location is most likely based on the single real-life police station in the town, which is a County Police Station. Sam Fisher, the protagonist of the ''[[Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell]]'' video game series, lives on a farm in rural Germantown, according to the novelizations of the series.<ref>{{cite book|last=Michaels|first=David|title=Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Fallout|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JqkkOf2FFdEC&pg=PT130|date=6 November 2007|publisher=Penguin Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-101-00375-6|page=130}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Michaels|first=David|title=Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Checkmate|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sjsRv_m6dKoC&pg=PT33|date=7 November 2006|publisher=Penguin Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-101-00374-9|page=33}}</ref> Germantown is featured in several episodes of the U.S. television series ''[[The X-Files]]'', notably as a hotbed for biomedical engineering and research, as in reality.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xfroadrunners.com/transcripts/index.php?query=germantown&search_type=exact&Submit=Search&mode=search|title=Germantown|website=X-Files Roadrunners}}</ref> There are indeed a handful of biomedical research facilities in the area. The show's creator, [[Chris Carter (screenwriter)|Chris Carter]], stated that he decided to set several episodes in Germantown as his brother used to live in the town.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/12/15/generation-x/eab766c7-44f7-41f4-b265-efa948e60dc1/|title=GENERATION X|first1=Rob|last1=Pegoraro|date=December 15, 1995|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=August 11, 2017}}</ref> In one or more episodes, Germantown is depicted as being near a wharf or harbor; this is not accurate to the actual area. ==Notable people== <!--consensus reached to standardize this heading per WP:WikiProject Cities/U.S. Guideline --> *Members of rock band [[Clutch (band)|Clutch]], attended and formed the band at [[Seneca Valley High School]]<ref name="Clutch">{{Cite web |title=Clutch Biography |url=http://www.pro-rock.com/index.cfm?page=Bio |access-date=August 14, 2017 |publisher=Pro Rock}}</ref> *[[Danny Heater]], a high school basketball player and single game scoring record holder lived in Germantown<ref>{{Cite web |title=Danny Heater |url=http://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/351 |access-date=May 8, 2012 |publisher=West Virginia Humanities Council}}</ref> *Members of rock band, [[Hootie and the Blowfish]], attended [[Seneca Valley High School]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hootie and the Blowfish Biographies |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/hootie-the-blowfish-mn0000262794/biography |access-date=August 14, 2017 |publisher=All Music}}</ref> *[[Walter Perry Johnson]], a professional baseball pitcher for the [[Washington Senators (1901–1960)|Washington Senators]], lived on a dairy farm in Germantown (where Seneca Valley High School currently stands) with his mother and children, from 1935 to his death in 1946<ref name="WalterPerryJohnson" /> *[[Mia Khalifa]], [[Lebanon|Lebanese]] [[pornographic actress]] and media personality, attended [[Northwest High School (Montgomery County, Maryland)|Northwest High School]]<ref name="The Washington Post">{{Cite news |last=Dan Steinberg |date=July 13, 2016 |title=A former porn star has become one of D.C.'s loudest sports fans on social media |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2016/07/13/a-former-porn-star-has-become-one-of-d-c-s-loudest-sports-fans-on-social-media/ |access-date=July 13, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mensxp.com/ampstories/entertainment/buzz/128512-ex-adult-star-mia-khalifa-educational-qualifications-school-college-university-degree.html |title=Ex-Adult Star Mia Kalifa's Wild Educational Qualifications |work=[[Times Internet|MensXP]] |access-date=August 28, 2023 |at=slide 6 }}</ref> *[[Pentagram (band)|Bobby Liebling]] of doom metal band Pentagram *[[Jake Rozhansky]] (born 1996), American-Israeli professional soccer player<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jake Rozhansky – Virginia Bio |url=http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/jake_rozhansky_910372.html |access-date=25 February 2018 |publisher=VirginiaSports.com |archive-date=February 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225205447/http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/jake_rozhansky_910372.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> *[[Isaiah Swann]] (born 1985), professional basketball player *[[Frank Warren (PostSecret founder)|Frank Warren]], the founder of [[PostSecret]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=PostSecret Website |url=https://postsecret.com/ |access-date=August 14, 2017 |publisher=PostSecret}}</ref> *[[Harvey D. Williams]], African-American U.S. Army major general; lived in Germantown until his death in 2020<ref name="triangle tribune">{{Cite news |date=2016-02-28 |title=Never to be forgotten |page=6A |work=[[The Triangle Tribune]] |location=[[Durham, North Carolina]] |url=http://now.dirxion.com/Triangle_Tribune/library/Triangle_Tribune_02_28_2016.pdf |access-date=2020-07-20}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{commons category}} * [http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=39181242&x=-77264872&z=14&l=0&m=h Hybrid satellite image/street map of Germantown], from ''WikiMapia'' * {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030801155603/http://www.270md.net/int/germantown/index.html |date=August 1, 2003 |title=Germantown }} * {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970413011008/http://www.eccnet.com/germantown/ |date=April 13, 1997 |title=Germantown }} {{Geographic location |Centre = Germantown |North = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Montgomery County, Maryland.svg|size=23px}} [[Clarksburg, Maryland|Clarksburg]]<br />{{jct|state=MD|MD|27}} |Northeast = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Montgomery County, Maryland.svg|size=23px}} [[Laytonsville, Maryland|Laytonsville]]<br />Brink Road |East = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Montgomery Village, Maryland.svg|size=23px}} [[Montgomery Village, Maryland|Montgomery Village]]<br />{{jct|state=MD|MD|124}} |Southeast = [[File:Seal of Gaithersburg, Maryland.png|25px]] [[Gaithersburg, Maryland|Gaithersburg]]<br />{{jct|state=MD|I|270}} |South = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Montgomery County, Maryland.svg|size=23px}} [[Darnestown, Maryland|Darnestown]]<br />{{jct|state=MD|MD|118}} |Southwest = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Montgomery County, Maryland.svg|size=23px}} [[Poolesville, Maryland|Poolesville]]<br />{{jct|state=MD|MD|107}} |West = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Montgomery County, Maryland.svg|size=23px}} [[Boyds, Maryland|Boyds]]<br />{{jct|state=MD|MD|117}} |Northwest = {{Flagicon image|Flag of Montgomery County, Maryland.svg|size=23px}} [[Clarksburg, Maryland|Clarksburg]]<br />{{jct|state=MD|I|270}} }} {{Montgomery County, Maryland topics}} {{Montgomery County, Maryland}} {{DCMetroArea}} {{Maryland}} {{Largest cities of Maryland|collapsed}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Germantown, Maryland| ]] [[Category:Census-designated places in Maryland]] [[Category:Planned communities in the United States]] [[Category:Census-designated places in Montgomery County, Maryland]] Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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