Welcome to the Town of Kensington and we hope that you enjoy
your visit.
The area that became the town of Kensington was an established
farming settlement when the Metropolitan Branch of the B&O
Railroad arrived in 1873. In 1890, Washington financier Brainard
Warner started a residential development to the south of the
original settlement, gaining impetus for his enterprise the
following year from the building of a new railroad station that
made it easier for residents to commute to Washington, D.C. It was
in 1891, too, that Warner built his turreted Handley Hall in the
community, setting the standard for those who were to follow. The
community was known then as Knowles Station, but Warner was so
impressed by the beauty of Kensington Gardens during a visit to
London that he persuaded his neighbors to change the name to
Kensington.
Today, the town retains its original political boundary of less
than a square mile. It is surrounded by suburbs but still benefits
from the availability of convenient transportation—now in the form
of buses, the metro, and the nearby Washington beltway. The town
relies on Montgomery County for some services, but it manages many
of its own, including the department of public works. It maintains
nine mature town parks in an expression of its high regard for
natural greenery in public spaces.
Kensington treasures its history. In 1980 a portion of the town
was placed on the National Register of Historic Places as a well
preserved garden suburb dating to the transition from the 19th
century to the 20th century. Antique Row, a section of the historic
area, is a distinctive part of Kensington's business district. That
district has a wide range of specialty shops as well as those
offering the necessities of daily life—grocery store, hardware
store, and post office— all within walking distance of the
residences. The town adopted a motto during its 1994 Centennial
Celebration: “Where the train still stops . . . And the people
still walk.”
There are many who feel that this pattern of development and
resulting atmosphere make our community unique in Montgomery
County. We feel an obligation as described in the County's 1992
historic preservation brochure: "We are custodians of the
buildings, sites, and structures that define our history. They do
not belong to us alone. They have belonged to those who came before
us. With our firm commitment to their continued existence, they
will belong to those who come after us..."
More than a century after their town’s incorporation, Kensington
residents prize the charm and historic character that has been
maintained in close proximity to the city bustle of Washington.
Still preserved are the tree-lined streets, gardens, and open
spaces that hark back to Kensington’s early years.
Thanks to TripMD for helping with this hide!
