The Investigators desire at this point to express their personal thanks, 

 and the thanks of the Department of Church and Country Life, to all 

 those whose assistance and unfailing kindness made their work possible 

 of accomplishment. Maryland hosi)itality is not an over-praised in- 

 stitution, as they discovered to their complete satisfaction. 



In particular, they are under obligations to the members of the Country 

 Life Committee, to its founder, Prof. Hays, and to its Secretary, Mr. 

 Earle B. Wood, the County Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Wood's 

 assistance, which was important for every branch of the survey, was of 

 especial aid in making the study of the schools complete and accurate. 

 Thanks are also due to Mr. A. C. Monahan of the United States Bureau 

 of Education for counsel and assistance. 



LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY 



Foreword 



A certain historic interest attaches to the county. It was born with 

 the Republic, being formed out of the "Lower District of Frederick" 

 in 1776. Its part in all the wars the United States has waged, including 

 the Revolution, has been an honorable one, and it has also furnished its 

 share of those who have had charge of the destinies of both nation and 

 state. The village of Brookeville was at one time temporary Capital 

 of the United States. Citizens of Rockville point out an old tavern, 

 still standing, where George Washington was once entertained, and in 

 which the first Court convened under the Republic in the county held 

 its sessions. 



Location 



Montgomery County has the natural advantage of a location both 

 beautiful and economically convenient. It lies along the Potomac 

 from the District of Columbia to the Monococy River. The adjoining 

 Maryland Counties are Frederick, Howard, and Prince George's. The 

 District of Columbia and Loudon and Fairfax Counties, Virginia, form 

 the remainder of its boundary line. The greatest dimension of the 

 county is from Harrison's Island in the Potomac due East to the Pautux- 

 ent River at the point where Montgomery, Howard and Prince George's 

 Counties meet, a distance of about 35 miles; while a line drawn from the 

 northernmost point of the county due south to Cabin John on the 

 Potomac would measure 26 miles. The total area of the county is 

 estimated as 521 square miles. 



Civil Divisions 



The county is divided into 13 minor civil divisions called Election 

 Districts. These are, in the order of their numerical sequence, Lay- 

 tonsville, Clarksburg, Poolesville, Rockville, Colesville, Darnestown, 



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