J. A. Belt Building, United States historic place
The J. A. Belt Building is a historic commercial structure in Gaithersburg, Maryland, built in 1903 from red brick with two floors and a simple rectangular design. Large windows on the street level were designed for displaying merchandise, with smaller windows above serving the upper floor spaces.
The building was constructed in 1903 as a commercial space, with the founding year and J. A. Belt's name inscribed in the brickwork. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, recognizing its importance in understanding local history and early twentieth-century architecture.
The building is named after J. A. Belt, a successful businessman who played an important role in Montgomery County during the late 1800s and early 1900s. His name displayed on the structure reflects how individual enterprise shaped the economic development of the community.
The building is located along East Diamond Avenue in downtown Gaithersburg and is easily accessible on foot, especially when exploring other historic sites and shops nearby. Its small footprint makes it simple to view and include in walking tours without requiring special arrangements.
A raised half-circle feature on the building's east side contains the year 1903 inscribed alongside J. A. Belt's name in the brick itself. This carved inscription represents an unusual practice where early twentieth-century builders literally embedded the founder's identity into the structure's permanent materials.
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