How 18 Neighborhoods In and Around Bethesda Got Their Names

The history behind names of local communities past and present

By Bill Offutt

October 13, 2015 1:59 p.m.

Photo from Community of Cabin John Website

Cabin John

Cabin John’s name, despite all the manufactured tales of hermits in the woods, likely began as “Captain John,” a reference to buccaneer John Smith, who may have sailed up the Potomac River as far as Little Falls in 1608.

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