Sherwood Forest, Montgomery County, Maryland facts for kids

Sherwood Forest is a community located in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is not a separate town but a neighborhood within the county. This area is found near Randolph Road, Sherwood Forest Drive, Notley Road, the Intercounty Connector, and Northwest Branch Park.

A Look at Sherwood Forest's Past

Early Days of the Land

The land that is now Sherwood Forest was once a large area of about 311 acres. In 1783, a man named Evan Thomas received this land from his father. Evan Thomas later rented out the land for 72 pounds each year.

The Old House and Its Secrets

Around 1810, a house was built on this land. This house is still standing today, right across from the Robin Hood Swim Club. It was built with very thick brick walls, about one foot thick! The mortar used to hold the bricks together was even made with ox blood.

The house also had parts that were once used as living areas for enslaved people. There was also an icehouse, which was like an old-fashioned refrigerator. People living there got their water from a natural spring. This spring was located where the Robin Hood Swim Club's pool is now.

How Water Reached the House

The spring water was cleaned by flowing through a sand-filled channel. Then, a special pump called a hydraulic ram pushed the water up to the house. It was stored in a tall wooden tower, about 40 feet high!

Changing Owners Over Time

In 1816, Evan Thomas sold the land to William Culver. When William Culver passed away in 1824, his sons, John and Romulus Culver, inherited the property. John Culver, who lived in Kentucky, was not interested in the land. He sold his part to Francis Valdenar in 1824. Romulus Culver sold his part to Valdenar a few years later, in 1833.

Francis Valdenar was a farmer and also a leader in Montgomery County. He helped solve a disagreement about the border between Montgomery County and Prince George's County.

The Bradley Family Buys the Land

In 1870, Valdenar borrowed money using the property as a guarantee. When he couldn't pay back the money, the land was sold at a public sale in 1876. Henry and Mary Bradley bought it. They then gave the land to their son, William Bradley, later that same year.

William Bradley was a very successful farmer. He added a beautiful new part to the house in a style called Queen Anne. This style is known for its fancy details and unique shapes.

The Land Changes Hands Again

William Bradley passed away in 1897. In 1926, a man named John Bliler bought the property from William's widow, Mary Bradley. However, Bliler also couldn't make his payments. So, Mary Bradley bought the property back at another public sale in 1929.

In 1950, Mary Bradley sold the property to a company that wanted to build homes. But she made sure to include special rules in the sale. She could live in the house for free for the rest of her life. She also had the right to gather firewood and walk her dogs on the land whenever she wanted. If the company sold the land around the house, she would get half of the money from that sale.

Today, the old house is recognized as an important historical building on the Montgomery County Master Plan for Historic Preservation.

Building the Sherwood Forest Community

The Sherwood Forest neighborhood was built by Kahn Construction Corporation. They planned to start building homes in 1959. However, they had to wait until a water and sewer system was ready in 1961.

The homes were first sold for prices between $28,000 and $45,000. A magazine called Better Homes and Gardens even named one of the model homes a "1959 House of Ideas." Kahn Construction wanted to build homes that were better quality than typical houses. This way, homeowners would save money on repairs and upkeep in the long run.

Fun Things to Do in Sherwood Forest

Robin Hood Swim Club is a popular place located right in Sherwood Forest. It's a great spot for residents to cool off and have fun.