Suburbanization Historic Context and Survey Methodology

This report was developed for the I-495/I-95 Corridor Transportation Study in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area of Maryland. Because the context also discusses suburban development in Baltimore, it has statewide applicability. The two-volume report identifies the variety of residential, commercial and civic developments that transformed the landscape in and around Washington D.C. and Baltimore beginning in the 19th century.

Two important aspects of the context are (1) identification of patterns of development and character defining elements (CDEs) for various types of suburban development in planned and unplanned neighborhoods; and (2) creation of individual community summary sheets that capture the important features of many areas in Prince George's and Montgomery counties. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) uses this context to evaluate the eligibility of suburban buildings, sites, and structures to qualify for the National Register of Historic Places. In 2019 MDOT SHA developed an addendum to this context covering the years 1961-1980 that can be found here.

A. Introduction

B.History of Suburbanization

B.1 General History of Suburbanization
B.2 History of Suburbanization in Maryland
B.3 History of Suburbanization in the Washington, D.C. Area

C.Architectural Style and Community Design in the Suburbs

C.1 Development Patterns in the Suburbs
C.2 Architecture in the Suburbs

D. Identification of Suburban Property Types

D.1 Community Types
D.2 Residential Styles and Forms
D.3 Non-Residential Property Types

E.Survey and Evaluation Methodology

E.1 Research Previous Survey Records, Historic Maps, and Community Histories

E.2 Reconnaissance Survey

E.3 Consultation with the Maryland Historical Trust on Scope of Intensive Survey Establishing Survey Levels
1. E.3.1 Documentation on a Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form
2. E.3.2 Documentation on a Determination of Eligibility (DOE) Form
E.4 Intensive Survey
1. E.4.1 Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties Form
2. E.4.2 Determination of Eligibility Form

F. Bibliography

Appendix A: Reconnaissance Spreadsheets for Capital Beltway Highway Improvements

Appendix B: List of Developer and Architects Associated with Washington, D.C. Suburban Communities in Maryland

Appendix C: Proposed Expanded National Register Criteria 1949-1960

Appendix D: Community Summaries