The Scotland Community
Founded in 1880 by William Dove, a formerly enslaved farm worker who was the first Black man to own land in Potomac, Scotland was once an enclave of more than 500 acres along Seven Locks Road, spanning from what is now Democracy Boulevard to Montrose Road. Today, the Scotland community consists of 100 townhouses on Scotland Drive, just off Seven Locks Road. Twenty-five of these homes are still owned by descendants of the original founders of the community.
Rooted in Freedom
“The Scotland Community dates to the Reconstruction era, when freed Black slaves were first able to buy property. Officially, the community of Scotland dates to March 1880, when the “Negro” William Dove purchased one 36-acre lot of the “Bedfordshire Carrier” property at public auction for $210.22. In 1883, freed slave James William Harris purchased 44 acres, and in 1884, Noah Mason and his brother Augusta secured nine acres and six acres respectively. The Doves and the Masons became two of the most prominent founding families of Scotland, passing property down through the generations.”
Source: EHT Traceries, Scotland A.M.E. Zion Church Historic Overview; page15 : November 2020
Save Our Scotland
The challenges faced by Scotland families remained largely invisible to those outside Montgomery County until the late 1960s. Racism, gentrification, and greed were working together to threaten and erase this Black community during a critical time.
In response to this crisis, residents, with the support of allies like Joyce Siegel, a young Jewish mother, launched the "Save Our Scotland" campaign. This interracial and interfaith coalition united to fight for essential public services, better living conditions, and protections against displacement, ensuring the community’s survival and legacy.
Photos by Al Siegel.
Photo 1: A photograph of a Scotland home prior to the transformative "Save Our Scotland" campaign; Photo 2: Joyce Siegel (left), a dedicated housing advocate, with Geneva Mason, the matriarch of Scotland and a prominent community leader; Photo 3: Melvin Crawford, President of the Scotland HOA, at the Scotland Groundbreaking Day on April 21, 1968.
A Milestone in Housing Equity
The Save Our Scotland campaign began to gain national attention, drawing support from prominent leaders like HUD Secretary Robert Weaver, America’s first Black cabinet member, and President Lyndon B. Johnson. This advocacy led to a landmark achievement: the signing of the Housing and Urban Development Act in August 1965, which expanded funding for federal housing programs.
The Scotland Community became the first recipient of a loan under the program, enabling residents to strike a groundbreaking deal. They allocated 36 acres of their land to establish a townhome community offering a mix of low-interest mortgages and federally subsidized rent.
