Silver Spring's Exertion

1.) Description: Silver Spring is a small suburb turned city located in Montgomery County, that borders the northwest quadrant of the nation's capitol Washington D.C. For residents Silver Spring used to be a suburban rest haven where home is located. In the past to enjoy a typical night out in the town would consist of driving to Washington D.C. to dine, watch movies, and attend sporting events. With the evolution of downtown Silver Spring on the rise, residents can now look behind their backyard to enjoy the festivities their community has to offer. The addition of the downtown strip offers a plethora of over 20 restaurants, 30 shops, 2 movie theaters and mall attracting commuters to the area. There is a sense of belonging and unity at the "strip". The "strip" is embedded with a beautiful structure of brick flooring giving an historic feel as consumers and tourists walk over what was once a main street. When the weather is warm families come together to watch either live band concerts or their children play in the outdoor sprinklers signifying the meaning of the city of Silver Spring. Across the "strip" lays Veteran's Plaza a 40,000-square-foot vibrant green turf. The plan for Veteran's Plaza was to open an outdoors skating rink, but due to complaints of residents and budget cuts, this scene has gone from an unused area to a utility of socialization where community residents lounge, tan, play catch, enjoy live performances, outdoor movies and other activities. The love of the "turf" has deliberated if it should just remain for the use it serves to the community now.

Silver Spring is accessible to D.C. metropolitans. The Silver Spring station is located walking distance from the downtown area making it convenient to travel. There are over 34 buses and one Metro rail running through the development. For tourist who live outside of the metropolitan area there are MARC trains available.

-Coordinates and Demographics
Silver Spring is now the third largest city in Maryland next to Baltimore and Columbia. The central business district (downtown) Silver Spring is approximately 7,254,729 square feet long, it's geographic coordinates are 38°59´26´´N, 77°1´35´´W. With over 250,000 residents the area of Silver Spring is very diverse. In the community there are 46.61% Caucasian, 38.07 African-American, 0.44% Native American, 8.22% Asian, .06% Pacific Islanders, 11.55& of other races, and 5.04% of mixed races.

2.) Central Questions:
History-Upon building his house Francis Preston Blair discovered a mica sprinkled spring that looked like silver when sunlight was present. He combined the name to make the city of his residence Silver Spring.
Where- Central Business District of Silver Spring, Maryland
Who- Francis Preston Blair

3.) Research

This site is informative on the founder of Francis Preston Blair and this history on how he discovered the city of Silver Spring.

McCoy, A. Jerry. Silver Spring Then & Again. Voice. (2004).
http://www.silverspringvoice.com/archives/copy/2003/08features/_thenAgain.html>

Guide of Silver Spring
http://www.silverspringdowntown.com/

Explains the plans developers have for Veteran's Plaza/Civic Center

Uy, Erin. Residents, Planners Mull Downtown Silver Spring’s Open Space. Gazette.net. (2007).
http://www.gazette.net/stories/050907/silvnew205937_32325.shtml.

4.) Argument: The Silver Spring area is culturally significant to residents because the growth in the area has made a suburban like community rise into a city over the years. The expansion of the city has brought tourists to a mecca.