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About Us
Welcome to West Lanham Hills!
In 1941, a small community of 256 homes was established in a wooded area along what was then called Defense Highway (now Annapolis Road, Rt. 450). The first residents faced a neighborhood without paved roads, sewers, gas lines, or county services. To support one another and improve their community, they formed the West Lanham Hills Citizens’ Association.
Over the decades, neighbors have worked together to create lasting benefits for everyone. Early efforts included purchasing adjacent plots of land with the hope of building a community center. While those plots were later sold for public or commercial purposes, the proceeds created a fund that continues to support a wide range of community activities and events.
Today, the Association uses these resources to host programs for the public, including community clean-ups, family fun days, holiday craft workshops, back-to-school events, outdoor movie nights, educational and workforce training programs, and more. All of these efforts are led by dedicated volunteers.
As a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization, we welcome adult residents (18+) to join for just $2 per year, with senior (55+) and veteran residents joining for free. Our board and volunteers are committed to keeping West Lanham Hills a vibrant, connected community.
Monthly meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the West Lanham Hills Park Building (7700 Decatur Rd). Everyone is welcome—come meet your neighbors and get involved!
Meet The Board
At our May 2025 West Lanham Hills Citizens Association meeting, we were thrilled to welcome over 35 community members in attendance—thank you to everyone who showed up and participated! One of the highlights of the evening was the election of our new board members, who will serve a three-year term helping to guide the work of the Association and support our neighborhood's continued growth and vibrancy. Pictured: The newly elected board members of the West Lanham Hills Citizens Association. Left to right: Michael Driggers (Treasurer), Sarah Tsubata (Secretary), Michael Chodos (President), Alicia Denning (Vice President), and Ann Chilcoat (Parliamentarian).
History of the Hills
Journey back to the roots of West Lanham Hills — where 256 pioneer homes stood among forested hills, early neighbors laid gravel roads with their own hands, organized to bring in utilities, and banded together to build a community from the ground up. Here you’ll find time‑worn stories, cherished memories, and shared recollections that honor the hard work and spirit that shaped our neighborhood.
A Little City in the Woods (1940s)
By: Kay Rager and Alicia Denning
In 1940, nestled in what was then a wooded stretch of land, homes in West Lanham Hills were advertised for just $2,750 — four rooms and a bath on a 8000-square-foot lot. But buying a home was just the beginning. Moving in meant hauling water in pails from a fire hydrant, using a borrowed wrench from the real estate agent. Eventually, neighbors pitched in to purchase a 300-foot hose to bring water directly to their homes. Electricity, gas, and sewer systems were often missing in those early days. Residents carried five-gallon containers of oil from the real estate office to fuel their heaters, or converted them to wood stoves and chopped firewood from the surrounding woods. Streets were unpaved, and deep mud was a daily battle. Yet, the spirit of community ran deep. In 1941, 71 residents gathered for the first Citizens Association meeting—held in a garage, because no buildings existed yet. They passed a hat and collected $5.25 to start addressing issues like roads, streetlights, and sanitation. Street addresses weren’t even assigned yet—residents listed their homes by "job number." Committees sprang up for everything from securing bus service and sewer connections to handling trash collection and street signs. Volunteers paved Garrison Road themselves, earning two years of free association membership. A truck was purchased to mount fire equipment, laying the groundwork for the future fire department. Education was a priority even then. Kindergarten was held in the basement of a private home. First graders took a bus to a school on what is now the police station on Princess Garden Parkway for a year until they were bussed to the elementary school. Older kids attended Lanham Elementary, Bladensburg and then Glenridge Junior High, and eventually Bladensburg High School. During World War II, blackout drills were enforced by air raid wardens wearing gas masks. Residents used blankets to cover their windows to keep the neighborhood invisible from enemy planes. The community banded together to support one another—organizing turkey shoots, raising money for war efforts, and even helping the wives of deployed soldiers until their government checks arrived. Grocery trips were a community affair. On Saturdays, families carpooled to Rhode Island Avenue stores because most women didn't drive. For everyday needs, the Busy Bee Market at the top of the hill offered neighborhood kids a favorite treat—nickel pickles from a big barrel. Despite the struggles—flooded roads, frozen hoses, and faulty septic systems—residents built a vibrant, cooperative neighborhood from the ground up. Their efforts laid the foundation for the strong community spirit that still exists today. [This article was originally published in the July 2025 issue of the 'West Lanham Hills Citizen' Newsletter]
A Decade of Building a Community (1950s)
By: Kay Rager and Alicia Denning
Image: The former neighborhood school, West Lanham Hills Elementary.
The 1950s were a defining time for West Lanham Hills—a decade when neighbors rolled up their sleeves and built the foundation of the community we know today. It all began with a fight for our children’s education. In 1950, the county Board of Education told our residents there would be no neighborhood school—just expansions elsewhere. But the people here wouldn’t take no for an answer. They formed committees, wrote letters, and packed public hearings until finally, in January 1951, the Board approved a ten-room school for West Lanham Hills. Bond sales, planning meetings, and construction followed, culminating in a proud moment on April 22, 1954, when the school was officially dedicated. Soon after, the first PTA meeting brought parents together to support it. But education wasn’t the only concern. Safety was on everyone’s mind. Residents lobbied the state to reduce the speed limit on Route 50 where it bordered our neighborhood. They started asking in 1953 for a traffic light at the dangerous intersection of Route 450 and Garrison Road—a request that would be repeated for years without success. Meanwhile, potholes and rough streets prompted neighbors to form repair committees, buy patching materials, and get the job done themselves. Health and environment also drew action. In 1953, the association raised money to hire a bulldozer to fill in the area at the intersection of Garrison Road and West Lanham Drive which had become, in effect, a mosquito pond. Street signs were replaced, and by 1957 a new neighborhood welcome sign was in place, a visible symbol of local pride. Of course, these were Cold War years, and civil defense was part of life. Residents discussed using the firehouse roof for aircraft spotting and organizing the community’s emergency equipment. Blood type cards were proposed in case of an attack, and there was even talk of building bombproof shelters. At school, children practiced duck-and-cover drills—a chilling reminder of global tensions even in our small corner of Maryland. Beyond the serious work, there was community spirit. A recreation council was formed to give kids safe places to play. A local radio station offered to broadcast our civic announcements for free. The association even took careful inventory of its gear: typewriters, a public address system, bingo cage, holiday tree lights—everything needed to keep meetings running and events lively. And through it all, the people of West Lanham Hills stayed vigilant about the neighborhood’s character. When an attempt was made in 1958 to rezone part of Garrison Road for commercial use, the association successfully fought to keep it residential, preserving the quiet streets for generations to come. While this may be “history” some things never seem to change. The 1950s weren’t just about building roads or schools. They were about building a community—through grit, cooperation, and a shared belief that West Lanham Hills was worth fighting for. [This article was originally published in the August 2025 issue of the 'West Lanham Hills Citizen' Newsletter]
What Our Neighbors Say
Hear directly from the residents of West Lanham Hills. This section highlights the voices, experiences, and advocacy of our neighbors—celebrating the people who make our community strong, connected, and vibrant.
Neighborhood Roots, Heartfelt Returns
By: Stanley Iwuh
Growing up in this neighborhood has been a true blessing for me and my family. From neighbors who looked out for us and helped with home upkeep, to using the steep Garrison hills as my personal gym, the support here has shaped so much of who I am today. During high school, this community helped me secure volunteer hours and even provided school supplies—something that made a big difference for my mom, who was raising three kids on her own. I’m proud to now be a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, and working full-time, but no matter how busy life gets, I’ve made it a priority to give back to the place that gave me so much. I look forward to being even more involved in upcoming community events and doing my part to uplift the next generation. [This article was originally published in the July 2025 issue of the 'West Lanham Hills Citizen' Newsletter]