The Mayor

8221 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910

CATEGORIES: Public Art in Silver Spring | Public Art

The unofficial "Mayor" of Silver Spring was a homeless man who collected hand-outs of money and food.  Norman Lane walked the streets of Silver Spring for almost 25 years, doing odd jobs around the neighborhoods and handing out flowers to women on the street picked out of the Bell Flowers dumpster.  Norman Lane was a mainstay in the community, and his enjoyment of life has been immortalized in a bronze bust created by artist and friend, Fred Folsom.  The plaque beneath Norman Lane's likeness reads, "Remembering the Caring Kindhearted Forbearance of the People of Silver Spring."  This is a tribute, not only to this local legend, but to the citizens of Silver Spring like Robert Phillips, owner of the Silver Spring Auto Body Shop, who kept a cot and a hot plate in the garage as a permanent home for Lane.

Nearby Restaurants & Dining:

• Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant (69 feet NW)
• The Big Greek Cafe (84 feet NW)
• Zed's Office Cafe (89 feet NW)
• Lizbeth's Cafe (96 feet SW)
• Zed's Cafe (118 feet NW)
• OLAZZO (140 feet N)

Nearby Shopping and Services:

• Pawn Shop (28 feet SW)
• Plaza Art Supplies (50 feet SW)
• Afrikutz Barber Shop (64 feet SW)

Nearby Parking:

• Colonial Lane Parking Lot (485 feet W)
• Fenton Street Village Parking Lot (502 feet E)

Nearby VanGo Stops:

• VanGo: Georgia Ave between Thayer & Silver Spring (122 feet W)
• VanGo: Georgia between Silver Spring & Sligo Aves (429 feet SW)

Nearby Public Transportation:

• Greyhound lines Inc. (882 feet SE)