The “Original” Silver Spring
By Silver Springer • May 22nd, 2006 • Category: Uncategorized
Where does the original “Silver Spring” lie? Next to the Acorn shaped Gazebo and under the large chestnut tree, in Acorn Park of course…or maybe not? A while back I did some historical surfing on Silver Spring and came across an interesting post by James Lehman, JOn on the Roadside America website. The post still exists for viewing and to my surprise here is what he had to say,
Silver Spring, Maryland - Acorn-shaped shelter
A small urban park dominated by a huge acorn shaped shelter. Many folks think this is the location of the “ORIGINAL” Silver Spring, but the water fountain spouts pure filtered Potomac River, courtesy Washington Sub. San. Commission. The actual Silver Spring was located under the present day Blair Mill Towers apartment complex. [James Lehman, Jr., 04/08/2001]
Could it be that the real “Silver Spring” is under some paved parking lot or one of the old and hideous Blair Towers? If somebody knows more please post!
Silver Springer is
Email this author | All posts by Silver Springer
I imagine that the original spring has long since dried up or been filled in with concrete.
I remember years ago when I was in elementary school we went on some field trip to a park somewhere in Silver Spring and there was some stream that they told us was the original “Silver Spring”. I can’t imagine where they came up with that bit of misinformation, but for years I believed it. (Of course, I have no recollection of which park we were in at the time.)
It’s a real shame, there are many (or were?) springs running through out this area. With the preservationist attitude even then I’m surprised such a thing would happen but it is probably true that the spring at Acorn Park isn’t the original Silver Spring. It would be quite a historic piece if they had not demolished the old Blair mansion for the monstrosity that is the Blairs as well. Here’s to those buildings getting demolished to make way or “progress†too! I would still like to get to the bottom of this though.
wouldn’t it be awesome if the new development’s in Silver Spring all incorporated linked water features? Talk about creating a destination and community. Linked waterways, would link us all togther…provide cool walking tours, not to mention places for folks to recreate and lure attractive retail establishments. I can hear complaints about mosquitos now…but if the water isn’t stagnant and maintenance is on point, it should be fine.
The “re-opening” of the canals in Providence was a huge success. Cities throughout the world (London, Barcelona, Philadelphia and DC) are turning back to their waterfronts, the initial reasons for their creation, and utilizing them as community assets that they are.
Water boy
The current spring site at Acorn Park IS the original spring. Carved on the bottom of the spring opening’s marble sill is “SPL” and “1894.”
This was the year that Samuel Phillips Lee, son-in-law of the spring’s founder, Francis Preston Blair, had the original spring opening reinforced.
In addition, a carved 1872 stone is positioned in front of the spring opening.
A photo of the sill and others of the spring are on pages 26-32 of my book, “Historic Silver Spring.”
Hi folks,
I live in one of those hideous buildings, I hope they let me know before demolishing it, I’d like to step outside!
I’ve been working on the Acorn Park article on Wikipedia (please check it out and pitch in).
Great to see Jerry’s comment here. I was about to make a similar comment. The continuous series of photos over the years in his book make it quite clear that the grotto was built around a real, functioning spring. It’s hard to imagine why the family would have put so much effort into memorializing some other spring just a few hundred feet away.
Besides, the condos next door are called the Mica.
one more shameless plug: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acorn_Park