F. Scott Fitzgerald Calls Rockville his final home
Whenever you travel, there are areas that seem less than exciting for visitors.
Take Rockville, Maryland for example. When you drive through the upscale suburban Washington, D.C. area, you see plenty of office buildings, restaurants and shopping but you might be hard-pressed to see anything truly "attraction worthy."
That's where you're mistaken. Fans of celebrities might flock to Forest Lawn Cemetery in Los Angeles, but fans of literature – specifically "The Great Gatsby" and "This Side of Paradise" -- should flock to Rockville.
F. Scott Fitzgerald, considered by many to be one of the greatest writers of the 20th Century, is buried in a small cemetery at St. Mary's Church at Maryland Routes 355 (Rockville Pike) and 28.
Surprisingly, many locals don't even know that is the final resting place of the prolific author whose writing chronicled the Jazz Age. Fans do visit the grave of this member of the 1920s "Lost Generation" upon occasion and often leave martini glasses, flowers and even cigarette packs.
Fitzgerald never lived in Rockville but his father did and the author frequently visited and corresponded with the paternal side of his family.
Records indicate that Fitzgerald attended his father's 1931 funeral at St. Mary's Church and spoke warmly of the area in later years.
Fitzgerald died on December 21, 1940 at age 44; his wife Zelda died on March 11, 1948 at age 47.
Historic accounts note that when The Women's Club of Rockville approached the Fitzgeralds' only child – Frances "Scottie" Fitzgerald Lanahan Smith – about having her parents united in the Cemetery – her response was enthusiastic.
At least report, 15 members of the family including - F. Scott and Zelda - are buried at the historic cemetery.
HelloMetroDC Tip: Try to avoid rush hours when you go to this site. Rockville Pike (Maryland Route 355) is one of the busiest stretches of road in the area.
Posted by Nancy Dunham
