Somerset, Maryland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Somerset, Maryland
|
||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
|
||
Location of Somerset in Montgomery County and Maryland
|
||
| Country |  United States |
|
| State |  Maryland |
|
| County | Montgomery | |
| Incorporated | 1906 | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 0.28 sq mi (0.71 km2) | |
| • Land | 0.28 sq mi (0.71 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) | |
| Elevation | 305 ft (93 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
|
||
| • Total | 1,187 | |
| • Density | 4,300.72/sq mi (1,663.30/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP Code |
20815 (Chevy Chase)
|
|
| Area codes |
|
|
| FIPS code | 24-73350 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 2391418 | |
Somerset is a small, friendly incorporated town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is located very close to the border with Washington, D.C.. In 2020, about 1,187 people lived here.
Contents
History of Somerset
Early Land and Founders
The land that became Somerset was first part of a large area called the Friendship Tract. This tract was granted to Thomas Addison and James Stoddart in 1711. By 1811, a farmer named Richard Williams owned a part of this land.
In 1890, a group of five scientists from the United States Department of Agriculture bought 50 acres of land. They were Charles A. Crampton, Harvey W. Wiley, Daniel E. Salmon, Miles Fuller, and Horace Horton. They formed a company called the Somerset Heights Colony Company.
Their plan was to create a nice new suburb. They wanted to provide good sewer systems, plenty of water, and electric lights. They planned for large lots, at least one acre each, similar to pleasant suburbs in other cities.
First Homes and Streets
The first house in Somerset was built in 1893 on Dorset Avenue. Charles Crampton, one of the founding scientists, lived there. Other scientists soon followed. Harvey W. Wiley, known as the "father of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906," built a home. Daniel E. Salmon, who discovered salmonella, built a house called Clover Crest.
Five early streets were named after English counties: Dorset Avenue, Warwick Place, Surrey Street, Cumberland Avenue, and Essex Avenue. These streets are still there today.
Some of these early homes are now famous. The house built by Wiley is called the Wiley-Ringland House. The home built by Salmon is called the Salmon-Stohlman House. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means they are important historical sites.
Becoming a Town
By 1905, about 35 homes were in Somerset. Even though it was advertised as a peaceful place, it had problems. There wasn't good water drainage, the sewage system was basic, and there was no local fire protection or schools.
Because of these issues, the people living there asked the State of Maryland to make Somerset an official town. This would allow them to collect taxes to pay for important services. The Town Charter was given on April 5, 1906. This officially created the Town of Somerset.
Somerset's Growth and Changes
Many of the original homes, built before 1905, are now part of the Somerset Historic District. These homes show different architectural styles from over the years. Early houses were large Victorian and Queen Anne homes. Later, smaller bungalows and craftsmen houses were built. Even later, brick Colonial Revival and Modern homes appeared.
The first Town Council was elected on May 7, 1906. Charles Crampton became the first mayor. Over the years, many mayors have served the town. The current mayor of Somerset is Jeffrey Z. Slavin, who was elected in 2008.
In the 1940s, a large piece of land south of Somerset was sold. This land became known as Lower Somerset or New Somerset. New streets like Falstone Avenue and Grantham Avenue were added. For a time, some of these new properties had rules that prevented them from being sold to non-white people. However, these unfair rules were made illegal by the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
In 1988, residents voted on a special issue. They decided to remove a piece of land with large apartment buildings from the town. This was done to keep the town's focus on single-family homes and ensure the Town Council continued to represent those residents.
Geography of Somerset
Somerset is located in the southern part of Montgomery County. It is surrounded by other small communities. To the north is the Village of Drummond, to the east is Chevy Chase Village, and to the south are the Village of Friendship Heights and Friendship Heights. To the west is the Kenwood neighborhood of Bethesda. Washington, D.C. is very close, less than a mile to the southeast.
The town covers about 0.28 square miles (0.71 square kilometers) of land. Water from the Little Falls Branch and Willetts Branch flows through the town. These branches eventually lead to the Potomac River.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 173 | — | |
| 1920 | 200 | 15.6% | |
| 1930 | 298 | 49.0% | |
| 1940 | 399 | 33.9% | |
| 1950 | 430 | 7.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,444 | 235.8% | |
| 1970 | 1,303 | −9.8% | |
| 1980 | 1,101 | −15.5% | |
| 1990 | 993 | −9.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,124 | 13.2% | |
| 2010 | 1,216 | 8.2% | |
| 2020 | 1,187 | −2.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 Census Details
In 2010, there were 1,216 people living in Somerset. There were 407 households, and 347 of these were families. The town had about 4,343 people per square mile.
Most of the people living in Somerset were White (91.7%). There were also people of Asian (3.9%), African American (0.7%), and other backgrounds. About 4.8% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Many households (44.5%) had children under 18 living with them. Most households (76.2%) were married couples living together. The average household had almost 3 people.
The average age in Somerset was 45.5 years old. About 31% of the residents were under 18. About 17.7% were 65 years old or older.
Education
Montgomery County Public Schools serves the students in Somerset.
_in_Somerset,_Montgomery_County,_Maryland.jpg)
Students living in Somerset usually attend these schools:
- Somerset Elementary School
- Westland Middle School
- Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School
Transportation
Somerset does not have any major state highways directly running through it. The most important road within the town is Little Falls Parkway. Nearby, you can find Maryland Route 190 (River Road) and Maryland Route 355 (Wisconsin Avenue). These roads connect to Washington, D.C. and to Interstate 495, which is a large highway known as the Capital Beltway.
For public transportation, the Washington Metro's Friendship Heights Metro Station is about half a mile away.
See also
In Spanish: Somerset (Maryland) para niños
