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The history of Damascus is depicted in its farms, churches and schools. The town began as a crossroads on a hill. A historic marker near the Methodist Education Center on Main Street recognizes the original land grant of 1,101 acres, patented by Matthew Pigman on April 13, 1774, but historical records indicate there was activity in the area well before the 18th century.

Damascus is a biblical reference. The first official mention of Damascus was in 1816, when Edward Hughes received congressional approval for a postal route through town.

Ridge Road (Route 27) was part of the Susquehanna Trail that began near what is now Harrisburg, Pa., and wound along the hilltops to Seneca Creek. Damascus was incorporated for about 25 years in the early 20th century. The community's population now exceeds 30,000.

Neighboring communities include Boyds and Hyattstown as well as Clarksburg, which is undergoing major development and is planned to be home to more than 40,000 people by 2030.

Civic organizations
Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board
12900 Middlebrook Road
Suite 1000
Germantown, MD 20874
240-777-8000

Damascus Heritage Society
P.O. Box 218
Damascus, MD 20872
301-253-1564
Meets at 7 p.m., third Monday of the month at the Damascus Library, 9701 Main St.

Local services
Upcounty Regional Services Center
12900 Middlebrook Road
Germantown, MD 20874
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
240-777-8000
www.montgomerycountymd.gov

Guide Youth Services
301-972-0307
Serving youth and their families in the upcounty.
Damascus Senior Center
9701 Main St.
Damascus, MD 20872
240-777-6995

Local organizations
American Legion Post 171, Ladies Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion
10201 Lewis Drive
Damascus, MD 20872
301-253-0769
Meets 7:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month at the post.

Damascus Help
301-253-4100
Provides emergency assistance to those in need in the community.

Damascus Ecumenical Laymen's Association Inc.
301-482-0522
Provides help to those in need in the community.

Damascus Lions Club
P.O. Box 267
Damascus, MD 20872
301-253-3807
Meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month for dinner.

Daughters of the American Revolution
301-253-6130
Group meets the second Wednesday of the month September through May at the Damascus Community Recreation Center, 25520 Oak Drive.

Damascus Connection Committee of Montgomery County
Represents the interests of residents of Damascus through direct interaction and communication with other leaders and groups.

Warren Fleming: 301-916-4522 or dcc@qst-inc.com.
Meets at 7:30 p.m. the last Monday of the month at 9909 Founders Way, Damascus.

Damascus Emergency Preparedness Team
www.damascusDEPT.org
Meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month at the Damascus Community Recreation Center, 25520 Oak Drive. 301-253-4451.

Damascus Y-Women
240-723-0473
www.damascusywomen.com
Meets at 9:30 a.m. every Tuesday during the school year at the First Baptist Church of Damascus, 8850 Damascus Road.

Greater Damascus School Community Action Team
301-831-8184
Izaak Walton League Wildlife Achievement Chapter
26430 Mullinix Mill Road
Damascus, MD 20872
301-253-2384
www.damascusILWA.org
Meets 7 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month.

MOMS Club of Damascus
Meets 10 a.m. the second Thursday of the month at Damascus Community Recreation Center, 25520 Oak Drive.

Local events
Celebrate Damascus
The event features a parade, fireworks and community celebration organized by local organizations, businesses and churches.
Surrounding the intersection of Main Street and Woodfield Road.

First weekend in July
301-253-2151

Damascus Community Fair
The fair is a reminder of the community's agricultural heritage with livestock, poultry, plants, exhibits and a livestock and cake auction.
301-607-8280
Sept. 5-7 at the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department Activity Center and Carnival Grounds, 10211 Lewis Drive
www.DamascusFair.org

Local schools
The Damascus cluster includes five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. For a full list of schools, see page 30.

Police
Damascus is served by the Germantown District. For a full list of police stations, see page 11.

Fire services
The Damascus area is served by the Damascus, Hyattstown and Laytonsville volunteer fire departments. For a full list of stations, see page 20.

Libraries
The Damascus Library is part of the county public library system. For a full list of libraries, see page 22.

Business
There is no local chamber. For a list of county chambers, see page 14.