Norbeck, Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norbeck, Maryland
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Unincorporated area
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| Norbeck | |
Aerial view of Norbeck, mid-1980s
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Maryland |
| County |  Montgomery |
| Website | http://www.norbeck.org/ |
Norbeck is a community located in Montgomery County, Maryland, in the United States. It's found around Norbeck Road (Maryland Route 28), stretching from Georgia Avenue to Layhill Road. This area has a rich history, especially because it was founded by free Black people before the Civil War.
Norbeck's History
Norbeck began as a community for free Black people just before the Civil War (1861-1865). After slavery ended, the community grew. Many people lived in an area called Mt. Pleasant, located between what is now Georgia Avenue and Muncaster Mill Road.
In Mt. Pleasant, there was a church, a school, and a meeting hall. There was also a store run by white families. Other white families also settled along the roads in the area.
Unlike many other crossroads communities, Norbeck was slow to get its first businesses. It wasn't until the 1880s that a general store and a post office opened. About ten years later, a blacksmith shop was finally set up. By 1900, Norbeck had a clear path for its businesses. A.E. Stonestreet ran a large store and the postal service, and Walter H. White owned the blacksmith shop.
In the mid-1970s, the African American community along Norbeck Road formed the Norbeck Citizens Association. In 2002, they described the area as having a "rural atmosphere." It has many woods and mature trees, with no large commercial buildings. Norbeck is also very convenient to nearby cities. It's a quick drive to Rockville for shopping, and Washington, D.C. is to the south. Baltimore and other parts of Maryland are to the east. Because it's on the edge of busy suburban Washington, D.C., Norbeck is now facing a lot of pressure to change and develop.
Where is Norbeck?
Norbeck is located in a central part of Montgomery County, Maryland. It is situated south of the town of Olney. To its north is the community of Aspen Hill.
Norbeck's Rocks and Ground
The ground beneath Norbeck is made up of a type of rock called the Norbeck Intrusive Suite. This rock is a kind of granite that formed during the Ordovician period, which was about 485 to 443 million years ago. This ancient rock forms the main bedrock (the solid rock underneath the soil) of the area.
Famous People from Norbeck
- Camille Cosby (born 1944) is an American television producer and someone who gives money to good causes (a philanthropist).
