Franklin Knolls (Silver Spring, Maryland)


Franklin Knolls is a residential neighborhood located in Silver Spring, a census-designated place in Montgomery County.

Location

Franklin Knolls is bounded by the Capital Beltway to the north, University Boulevard to the west, the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River to the east, and the neighborhood of Montgomery Knolls to the south which begins where East Melbourne Avenue intersects with Greer Avenue. Across University Boulevard to the west lies the neighborhoods of Indian Spring Terrace and Long Branch, while the neighborhoods of Oakview and Hillandale lie east across the Northwest Branch Anacostia River.

Landmarks

Franklin Knolls is home to Eastern Middle School, located at the intersection of University Boulevard and East Franklin Avenue. Franklin Knolls is situated between the neighborhoods of Four Corners/Woodmoor to the northwest and the neighborhoods of Montgomery Knolls, Clifton Park Village, New Hampshire Estates, and Langley Park to the southeast.
The Franklin Knolls River Trail is a 4,625 feet long foot trail that passes through the neighborhood. The trail runs from East Franklin Avenue near the Franklin Knolls Swimming Pool along a tributary of the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River and then follows alongside the Northwest Branch until it reaches the Montgomery Knolls neighborhood and turns into the Clifton Park River Trail. The Clifton Park River Trail continues through the neighborhoods of Montgomery Knolls and Clifton Park Village along the Northwest Branch until it reaches Montgomery Knolls Elementary School.

History

The neighborhood was created as a residential development in the 1950s and early 1960s. The community was originally predominantly white and mostly Jewish or Catholic. The Jewish community has largely left the area, due to the nearby Temple Israel on University Boulevard closing and merging with Beth Tikva of Rockville. Temple Israel was first founded in 1952 as the Langley Park Hebrew Congregation in order to serve the then growing Jewish population in Langley Park, Montgomery Knolls, and Franklin Knolls. The Temple's former building is now occupied by Mount Jezreel Baptist, a predominantly black church. Over time, the community has become more ethnically and racially diverse and has a mix of whites, African-Americans, Latinos, Asians, and others. In 2003, the Franklin Knolls Civic Association's newsletter was translated into Spanish and Vietnamese.

Transportation

Franklin Knolls is serviced by Metrobus numbers C2 and C4, as well as by Ride On numbers 14 and 19. Washington Metro service is available on the Red Line in nearby Silver Spring, Wheaton, and Takoma. By 2022, Purple Line service will be available at the nearby Piney Branch Road and Long Branch stations.

Notable people