Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-01-23

The Ground Given to the City BY Judge
Ord and Its SURROUNDINGS,

The gift by Judge Paciicus Ord to the city OF
twenty-five acres of land along Rock Creek to
be used for a geological garden and a place for
baths. was mentioned in THE STAR a few days
ago, and this action has served to direct atten.
ton to that portion of the city suburbs Judge
Ord is brother of Gen. Ord, of the regular
army, who died some time ago in Mexico. and
while he has been resident of the District for
years, he still retains his country home in Vir-
GINA. He is now advanced in years. but he re-
members, when boy, that he was accustomed
10 go TO battle In Rock creek, at Adams mills,
which is located on Rock creek north of where
the Woodbury. Lane road crosses the stream
Ihls mill is one of the oldest structures in this
VICINITY ana IN order to secure for it the neces.
sary water power dam was constructed across
the creek at this point. On this account it was
,;raS place Tor bathing, and being in re-
urea spot, although some distance from the
city, the boys were in the habit of going there in
great numbers,and on warm summer days they
may De stlll found enjoying bath at this place.
As a rule the boys kept along the creek from
the P-street bridge when they wanted to reach
TINS 9athlng place, and at the same time they
could nSh ana indulge in other pastimes that
running stream OF water always suggests to
the youthful mind. But perhaps the shortest
lane which runs along the northern limit of the
Little place down past the Young Mems Baptist
burying ground. This road was used when the
mil was IN operation to bring the grain to be
ground and for the heavily laden wagons re-
turning with the sacks of flour and meal.
PURCHASED BY MRS. MYRA CLARK GAINES.
About the time the war broke out this prop
erty was purchased by Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines,
the famous New Orleans litigant, and for some
Time 1t was used as hair and mattress factory
In recent years the mill has not been used, and
some two years ago Judge Ord purchased the
property from Mrs. Gaines: In addition to the
mill, the property includes a rather narrow
strip OF land, which bends in with a deep curve
of the creek at this point, and then extends a
On the opposite side of the creek is some prop
erty held by the French heirs, ana Mr. j. W. p
Myers, who has acted us the agent of Judge Ord
In this matter, says that the latter wished to
buy strip of this land, SO as to present to the
city the land on both sides of the creek at this
point; but he was unable to get it at "a reasona-
vicinity of Rock creek, this portion is
very uneven and thickiy wooded. It is
probably be the northern termination of the
park, should the government ever carry into
effect the plan that has been much discussed of
There has already been started a movement to
secure the ground for "a driveway along the
creek and the proprietors OF the land, it is said
are willing to donate the ground tor such pur-
pose The subdivision of Lanier heights ex-
tends down to the creek, just north Of the
ground included in the gift OF Judge Ord, and a
number OF handsome cottages are to be erected
there next spring.
PICTURESQUE VALLEY.
The picturesque features of the scenery of
Rock Creek valley have attracted those fond of
country residences to that locality ever since
Washington was city, and there are many
nne places, which in former years were the
homes OF prominent and wealty citizens. Sec
rotary WhltneyS recent purchase of a country
residence in that locality is in accordance with
a custom followed in the early years OF tie
city when nearly every one that could afford
IT II, owned place in the country; The erection
OF the new naval observatory building, a site
for which has already been chosen in this To-
cality, Will give an impetus to the movement
which will result in retaining for all time the
beautiful valley OF Rock creek as one of the
most attractive suburban resorts of the national
capital.
PROPOSED USES OF THE VALLEY
Various projects have been proposed for the
use OF the whole or portions of the Rock creek
valley within the District which might if APP
proved antagonize the purpose of Judge Ord's
donation to the District. The plan of establish
Rock creek originated with Gen. Mfchler who
In 1869 in report TO Congress set forth the adj
Vantages the tract OF land along Rock creek
presented for this purpose. The extension of
me water works, 1t is thought, may interfere
with this scheme.
In Capt. HoXie's report to the District Com
missioners for 1850 he suggested the possible
conversion of the steep rocky valley of Rock
creek into great reservoir at some future time.
In his report Tor 1881 Capt Hoxie reverted to
This subject ana said, speaking of the proposed
reservoir: at VIII be IA beautiful lake of 1000
acres with rocky shores and prOlnOntories tut
greatest depth OF 14O feet with all the auvan-
tages OF this great depth OF water. The rocky
BANKS Will be their own revetment. The grow
ing timber in the proposed bed of the lake will
pay for its own removal. A dam of impervious
masonry will close the gorge of the lake. join-
ing rock TO rock on either side. The cost will be
SSoO,OOO for the dam and the price OF 1000
acres Oh steep rocky hillside tor the bed OF the
lake."