Kensington is a town in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,873 at the 2000 census. The relevance of particular information in (or previously in) this article or section is disputed. ... Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 90 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37°53N to 39°43N  - Longitude 75°4W to 79°33...

History

Kensington Plat (c. 1890)

The area around the Rock Creek basin where Kensington now sits was primarily agricultural until 1873, when the B&O Railroad completed a branch which traversed Montgomery County. The community first sprouted at the spot where the railroad line intersected the old Rockville to Bladensburg road. This early settlement was first known as Knowles Station. In the early 1890s, Washington, D. C. developer Brainard Warner began purchasing land parcels to build a planned Victorian community, complete with church, library, and a local newspaper. Fascinated by a recent trip to London, Warner first named his town Kensington Park. Upon incorporation in 1894, the town was renamed Kensington. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Rock Creek is a free-flowing tributary of the Potomac River, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean via Chesapeake Bay. ... 1876 map The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) is one of the oldest railroads in the United States, with an original line from the port of Baltimore, Maryland, west to the Ohio River at Wheeling and Parkersburg, West Virginia. ... 1890 (MDCCCXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar). ... ... Queen Victoria (shown here on the morning of her accession to the Throne, 20 June 1837) gave her name to the historic era The Victorian era of the United Kingdom marked the height of the British Industrial Revolution and the apex of the British Empire. ... 1894 (MDCCCXCIV) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

Initially Kensington was primarily a summer refuge for Washington, D.C., residents wishing to escape the capital's humid summers. As years passed, it became a year-round home for virtually all its residents, and evolved into the commuter suburb it essentially is today. The large southernmost section originally mapped out by Warner remains largely unchanged since its inception, and is a historically preserved zone. While the central business zone is frequently in flux, the only major changes in the town's basic layout have been the bridging over of the original railroad crossing, in 1937, and the extension and widening of Connecticut Avenue, the town's main thoroughfare, in 1957. Connecticut Avenue is a major route in the Northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., and suburban Montgomery County, Maryland. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ...

The little town gained national notoriety three times in a 10-month span early in the 21st century as a result of events which occurred within a mere quarter-mile radius. In December 2001, the town responded to complaints from anonymous citizens by banning Santa Claus from appearing in the annual holiday parade. Protesters arrived at the parade en masse, including hundreds of Santas riding everything from motorcycles to fire trucks. Eight months later, a MARC train derailed adjacent to the town center when the tracks separated at an overheated seam, sending over a hundred victims to area hospitals. Fortunately, there were no fatalities. Then, tragically, on October 2, 2002, Lori Ann Lewis-Rivera became the fifth victim of the snipers who terrorized the Washington area that month, while cleaning her auto at a Kensington gas station. (See Beltway sniper attacks.) The 21st century is the present century of the Anno Domini (common) era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... A typical depiction of Santa Claus. ... MARC, prior to 1984 known as Maryland Rail Commuter Service, is a commuter rail system comprising three lines in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. ... October 2 is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... Locations of the 15 sniper attacks numbered chronologically. ...

Geography

Kensington is located in Montgomery County, northwest of Silver Spring, northeast of Bethesda, southwest of Wheaton, and southeast of Rockville. Its latitude is 39^o1'48" N, longitude 77^o4'30" W. Image File history File links Adapted from Wikipedias MD county maps by Seth Ilys. ... Silver Spring is an urbanized, unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland, USA. After Baltimore and Columbia, Silver Spring is the third most populous Census Designated Place in Maryland. ... Bethesda is an urbanized, but unincorporated, area in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, near Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a church located there, the Bethesda Presbyterian Church, built in 1820 and rebuilt in 1850, which in turn took its name from Jerusalems Pool of Bethesda. ... Wheaton is an unincorporated but urbanized area in Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, north of Washington, D.C., northwest of Silver Spring. ... Location in the State of Maryland Coordinates: Country United States State Maryland County Montgomery County Founded 1717 Incorporated 1860  - Mayor Larry Giammo Area    - City  13. ...

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.3 square kilometres (0.5 square miles), all land. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ...

While the town proper is but one-half square mile in size, the Kensington Post Office services a much larger area and extends into North Bethesda, MD and the Wheaton Planning District. Residents within this ZIP code (20895) generally refer to Kensington as their home town. North Bethesda is a census-designated place and an uncorporated area located in Montgomery County, Maryland. ... Mr. ...

Significant through roads in Kensington include Maryland Routes 185 (Connecticut Avenue), 193 (University Boulevard West), and 547 (Knowles Avenue). Maryland Route 185 is an 8. ... Connecticut Avenue is a major route in the Northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., and suburban Montgomery County, Maryland. ... Maryland State Highway 193 is roughly 26-mile-long east-west road through Montgomery County and Prince Georges County, Maryland. ... Maryland Route 547 is an east-west, two-lane highway, 1. ...

Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,873 people, 729 households, and 467 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,418.0/km² (3,668.6/mi²). There were 768 housing units at an average density of 581.4/km² (1,504.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 89.96% White, 2.51% Black or African American, 0.59% Native American, 2.94% Asian, 1.49% from other races, and 2.51% from two or more races. 4.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 1870 US Census for New York City A census is the process of obtaining information about every member of a population (not necessarily a human population). ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... The Hispanics in the United States or Hispanic American is an American citizen or resident of Hispanic ethnicity and can identify themselves as having Hispanic Cultural heritage. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ...

There were 729 households out of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.08. For the record label, see Marriage Records. ...

In the town the population was spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $76,716, and the median income for a family was $96,394. Males had a median income of $65,804 versus $41,364 for females. The per capita income for the town was $35,919. About 0.9% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under age 18 and 1.3% of those age 65 or over. The per capita income for a group of people may be defined as their total personal income, divided by the total population. ... Map of countries showing percentage of population who have an income below the national poverty line The poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. ...

Economy

Conveniently located two miles from the Capital Beltway along Connecticut Avenue, halfway between the two limbs of the Washington Metro's Red Line and bisected by the MARC commuter rail's Brunswick Line, Kensington is primarily a "bedroom community" for workers who commute to jobs in the Washington, D.C., area. Adjacent to the central shopping area, however, are the renowned "Antique Row" on Howard Avenue, the West Howard Antique District, and Kaiser-Permanente's Kensington facility. The Capital Beltway (in green) The Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) is an expressway-class interstate highway which circles the Washington, DC area. ... Connecticut Avenue is a major route in the Northwest quadrant of Washington, D.C., and suburban Montgomery County, Maryland. ... The Washington Metro, or simply Metro, is the rapid transit system of Washington, D.C., and neighboring suburban communities in Maryland and Virginia, both inside and outside the Capital Beltway. ... The Red Line of the Washington Metro consists of 27 subway stations from Shady Grove to Glenmont. ... MARC, prior to 1984 known as Maryland Rail Commuter Service, is a commuter rail system comprising three lines in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. ... A Connex commuter train stands by the platform in Melbourne, Australia Regional rail systems, or commuter rail systems, usually provide a rail service through a central business district area into suburbs or other locations that draw large numbers of people on a daily basis. ... MARC, prior to 1984 known as Maryland Rail Commuter Service, is a commuter rail system comprising three lines in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. ... Commuters waiting for the morning train in Maplewood, New Jersey A bedroom community, dormitory town, or commuter town is a community that is primarily residential in character, with most of its workers commuting to a nearby town or city to earn their livelihood. ...

For a small town, Kensington is will served by an exceptionally large business community. The myriad of businesses include antique shops, art shops, fine restaurants, delis, cafes, bakeries, dry cleaners, a gym, supermarkets, auto repair shops, hardware stores, kitchen design studios, vintage clothiers, and many others. Virtually every segment of retail is within easy walking distance from the town's historic center.

During the warmer months, the Town of Kensington hosts a farmer's market on Saturday mornings between 8am and noon at the historical train station which is still in use today as part of the MARC commuter train network.

Law and government

Elected Officials

A mayoral election is held in even years for a two year term. The current Mayor of Kensington is Peter Fosselman (term ends 6/30/2008).

Kensington has a four-member council, elected for two-year terms. Terms are staggered. Every year there are two council seats up for election.

The current council members are:

• David Beaudet (term ends 6/30/2008)
• Alfred C. Carr, Jr. (term ends 6/30/2008)
• Mary Donatelli (term ends 6/30/2009)
• Sharon Scott (term ends 6/30/2009)

Education

The Town of Kensington is served by some of the best schools in the Montgomery County Public Schools system. The Montgomery County Public Schools system in Montgomery County, Maryland, USA is noted for its nationwide excellence. ...

Public schools that serve Kensington include:

• Kensington-Parkwood Elementary School link title
• North Bethesda Middle School
• Walter Johnson High School

Aerial photograph of WJHS. Walter Johnson High School, (WJHS) is located at 6400 Rock Spring Drive in Bethesda, an unincorporated region of Montgomery County, Maryland. ...

Current Famous Residents

Mike McCurry - White House Press Secretary during the Clinton administration.

Jeff Sharp - Chief legal counsel to George W. Bush during the Scooter Libby trial.

William Broomfield (R) - Retired U.S. Congressman for Michigan from 1956 to 1992.

Chris Van Hollen (D) - Current U.S. Congressman for Maryland's 8th District and serves as Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Matthew Lesko - Famous television informercial personality.

Miscellany

Washington LDS Temple as seen from Interstate 495

In 1974 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints completed construction and dedicated the Washington D.C. Temple in an unincorporated area to the Southeast of the Town of Kensington. It is one of the church's largest temples in the world and services the large LDS population in the area. Its spire is a landmark for motorists on the Capital Beltway. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (660x834, 60 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Kensington, Maryland Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (660x834, 60 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Kensington, Maryland Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner used to... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... The Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the largest attraction in the citys Temple Square. ... The Washington D.C. Temple (formerly the Washington Temple) is the 18th constructed and 16th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ... The Salt Lake Temple is the most well-known Mormon Temple. ... A Latter-day Saint is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). ... The Capital Beltway (in green) The Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) is an expressway-class interstate highway which circles the Washington, DC area. ...

The town was home to the noted children's author Munro Leaf. Munro Leaf (December 4, 1905–December 21, 1976), was an American author of childrens literature. ...

The town is also home to the historic and popular Noyes Library for Young Children[1]

Hubert Humphrey lived nearby while he was a U.S. Senator. Hubert Horatio Humphrey, Jr. ...

In 2006, the Kensington town council, working closely with the State Legislature, enabled most of its restaurants to serve alcohol at a drink/food ratio of 50/50 which is what the rest of the county enjoys.

In 2006, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission started work on an updated master plan for the greater Kensington area. The process should be completed in 2008.

Kensington is frequently referred to as K-Town by many of the young people in the area.

References

Kensington, a Picture History. Kensington (MD), Kensington Business District Association, 1994.

External links

• Town of Kensington
• Maps and aerial photos for 39°01′34″N 77°04′22″W / 39.026009, -77.072891Coordinates: 39°01′34″N 77°04′22″W / 39.026009, -77.072891
  • Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
  • Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA