By the 1950s, Silver Spring was the second-busiest retail market between Baltimore and Richmond; major retailers included the Hecht Company, J.C. Penney, and Sears, Roebuck and Company. In 1954, the 1842 Blair mansion "Silver Spring" was razed and replaced with the Blair Station post office. 1960 saw the opening of Wheaton Plaza, later called Westfield Wheaton, a shopping center several miles north of downtown Silver Spring. It captured much of the town's business, and the downtown area began a long period of decline.
by the 1950s silver spring was the second-busiest retail market between baltimore and richmond; major retailers included the hecht company jc penney and sears roebuck and company in 1954 the 1842 blair mansion "silver spring" was razed and replaced with the blair station post office 1960 saw the opening of wheaton plaza later called westfield wheaton a shopping center several miles north of downtown silver spring it captured much of the town's business and the downtown area began a long period of decline