Situated in the heart of Maryland at a historically vital crossroads is the rural and peaceful community of Damascus in Montgomery County. This unincorporated area sits on 10 square miles of land and has a population of around 12,000 residents. The location of Damascus is what initially drew so many people to the area, at the crossroads of Route 27 and Route 108. It is precisely because of this convenient location that the area was first developed and continues to grow in population. Situated in and around Damascus are many different suburban communities and towns that all depend on the area as a main city center. Towns such as Clagettsville, Browningsville, Cedar Grove, Woodfield, King’s Valley, Purdum and Lewisdale all rely on Damascus for commercial needs. Although the area is located in a more rural setting, it isn’t far from the big cities. Just about 35 miles to the south is Washington, DC, while Baltimore is located about 40 miles to the east. Even closer to Damascus is Frederick, which is located about 20 miles to the west.

Damascus History

The history of Damascus dates back to the 18th century. The area where Damascus is located today was originally granted by the new state of Maryland to Nathanial Pigman in 1783. Forty acres of this this 1,100-acre grant was later purchased by Edward Hughes, a veteran from the War of 1812. After the purchase, Hughes began to subdivide the land into lots. It was in 1816 that James Madison appointed Hughes as the postmaster of the community. In that same year, Hughes received permission from Congress to create a postal route through town. It was then that he began to call the town “The Pleasant Plains of Damascus,” after Damascus, Syria. Settlers subsequently started moving to the area from Anne Arundel County and Montgomery County. At this point in time there were only 14 lots of various shapes and sizes in town, all averaging about a half acre in size. In town there were also two blacksmith shops, a saddler’s shop and a store. The crossroads location of Damascus also served as an important travel route for Union troops in September 1862 when they marched through town on their way to Sharpsburg, Maryland to confront Confederate forces. This confrontation turned into the Battle of Antietam, which was the bloodiest single day battle in American history. From 1890 to 1914, the area was incorporated until the townspeople requested that the incorporation be withdrawn so that the Old Quaker Road, now Route 27, could be paved into a state highway. After being paved, the route became the main road leading from Washington to Frederick, Maryland.

Local Attractions

Damascus offers much more than a rich history and convenient location, of course. Found within the area are also many dining, shopping and recreational attractions and events. One of these events is the Damascus Community Fair. This fair has been in operation since 1940 and continues to attract thousands of visitors each year during the first weekend of September. Another popular attraction in town is the Damascus Heritage Society Museum. Opened in 2009, this museum gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the vast history and culture of Damascus.

Also found within the downtown area is the Damascus Centre. This shopping plaza has much to offer residents and visitors. The anchor store here is a Safeway with accompanying shops such as a Ledo Pizza, a Chipotle Mexican Grill, a Dunkin’ Donuts, a McDonald’s, a Pet Valu, a SunTrust Bank, a Baskin-Robins, a Burger King, and a popular local restaurant called Tom and Ray’s. This restaurant has been serving the Damascus community since 1960 and continues to provide patrons with a family-oriented environment. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Tom and Ray’s also serves homemade crab cakes and cook-to-order-fried chicken. There is even patio seating that is situated in the heart of the Damascus downtown area.

Regional Recreational Attractions

If you’re in the mood for some outdoor recreational fun, head about eight miles to the southwest of Damascus and you will find the Little Bennett Regional Park. This park is the largest in Montgomery County, with 3,700 acres of wooded areas, meadows and streams. Visit this park for a day of hiking, as it features more than 20 miles of trails that wind through the scenic Maryland forests. Little Bennett also contains Montgomery County’s only campground and the very popular Little Bennett Golf Course.

Damascus Conclusion

Damascus, Maryland is a very unique location that provides residents and visitors with a rich history that continues to remain true today. Being an important crossroads community in the colonial times, Damascus continues to provide a location that neighboring communities depend on. With premier attractions in and around town and a location that is close to the biggest cities in the entire region, Damascus is one of the most convenient areas in Maryland.