In 1896 Harry M. Martin began buying land parcels of 35 to 50 acres from the Chevy Chase Land Company, Wilson Offutt, Henry N. Griffith, and others. He called the acquisitions “Martin’s Additions to Chevy Chase.” Martin’s purchases stopped short of the current sites of La Ferme Restaurant and the “No Gain” house (at Thornapple and Brookville).

In 1916, a Special Taxing District known as Martin’s First, Second, Third and Fourth Additions to the Village of Chevy Chase was established. The bill authorized election of a Citizens’ Committee that had substantial powers, including regulating the behavior of farm animals.

The charter of the special taxing district was revised in 1976 to allow residents without U.S. citizenship to vote in the district’s elections. The revision also introduced the possibility of municipal incorporation.

Concerns over development and other pressures caused residents to seek incorporation during the early 1980s. A three-member steering committee was appointed to draft a charter and to help the Council fulfill the requirements for establishing a municipality.

In a mandatory referendum for the residents of Martin’s Additions, 92 percent of the voters were in favor of incorporation. Following approval by the Montgomery County Council, the State recorded the municipal incorporation of the Village of Martin’s Additions on March 19,1985. The village’s first ordinances came into effect on July 9, 1989.

Martin’s Additions has more than 300 homes and is governed by an elected, five-member village council assisted by a part-time village manager. The village maintains its streets and sidewalks and the trees within its right-of-way. It is recognized as a “Tree City” by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The village awards contracts for recycling, refuse collection, and snow removal. Neighborhood activities include community parties in the spring and autumn and events at which residents are recognized for outstanding contributions to the community. The newsletter, Martin’s Edition, keeps residents informed about services, community issues, and neighborhood changes.