Piercing Shop in Russell Gardens, vatStateShort

Russell Gardens was originally developed by Francis H. Knighton, who had previously played a small role in the Rickert-Finlay Realty Company, which developed the nearby community of Kensington. The land was largely pastoral, and games of polo were often played in the open fields.

The majority of the 135-acre (55 ha) area now encompassing the village was originally part of the estate of Captain Frederick Russell. The estate had previously been owned by the Schenck family and subsequently by the Haviland family. Other areas were purchased from Arthur Cushman, as well as from others. After purchasing the land, Knighton quickly started to develop it, and chose to name his development after Captain Russel by naming it Russell Gardens; the name would become Russell Gardens, Incorporated when Knighton opted to incorporate the syndicate which had been assisting him in the financing of his endeavors.

The group would continue developing the community, laying out streets, utilities, and parkland. They opted to place all of the community’s wiring underground and had landscaper J.J. Levinson landscape for the community.