Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-01
TOWARD GREAT FALLS.
Extensive improvements Along the
Conduit Road.

A broad and winding boulevard. graded and
macadamized for twelve miles from the
limits of West Washington. is the famous
Conduit road. 1t is built over the aqueduct
that brings the city water supply from the
Great Falls and is the finest roadway in this
vicinity. This attraction in itself might be
sufficient to make it one of the most popular
drives about the city. But in addition it
passes through a country of great variety and
beauty. The ground is broken and rugged.
and as the roadway gradually creeps up to
some 800 feet above the river, the views OBJ
tanned are superb. On one side the broad river
with its slopes heavily wooded and affording
glimpses of picturesque ravlnes, and on
the other are the hills rising one above
the other. There is constant change
and a succession of views which never fail to
excite admiration. All this region is SO high
that from the elevated points the surrounding
country can be seen for a long distance. Al
though il is perhaps the best known portion of
the suburban region about Washington it has
only been within the last few years that any
attempt has been made to subdivide the land
into residence sites. The beginning of sur
burban settlements have, however. been made.
On the borders of the first Government reser-
voir a large tract of land known as River View
park has been subditided by a syndicate. The
character of the land furnishes many favorable
SITES Tor houses, ana the nlSD location Is apt 10
be appreciated during the hot summer weather.
Where the Conduit road winds along on its way
TO Cabin John bridge the advantages of an
other location just this side of the bridge has
been seized upon by enterprising capitalists
and the resulti is the beautiful subdivision of
GLEN ECHO HEIGHTS.
The roads and drive-ways are being graded,
and no doubt there will be IN a short time a
fOurishing settlement. These prospective
communities are not entirely dependent upon
horse power to reach the city. There is the
steam packet that passes up and down the
canal, and then there Is to be the Washington
and Maryland railroad. The bill to charter
this road has already passed both houses and
is waiting final action on some amendments.
Another road is projected. known as the District
of Columbia aud Suburban railroad, and both
will be built through to the Great Falls. With
these facilities there will be no trouble about
reaching the city. The march OF improvements
has reached Cabin John bridge. During the
past few months the owner of the hotel there
has greatly enlarged the building; in fact,
more than doubled the size. The constant
stream of visitors from the city has made it
necessary to supply additional accOmmOda tons,
and the occasional visitors would hardly recog-
nize the place. The hotel proprietor has also
bought ground in the vicinity of the hotel, so
as to be ready TO meet the demands the future
may make.
MR. povLI;G's FARM.
As the hotel at the bridge is passed the
next point of interest is the farm of Mr.
Thomas Downing. the weli-known auctioneer.
lie bought this place over twenty years ago.
and he has been i'll the habit of spending a
great deal of time there, especially in the
summer. He has row some 600 acres of land.
beautifully located and extending across the
Conduit road and down to the river. While he
has been busy with his crops and the enjoy
ment of the country quiet the city has been
gradually growing toward his place. He looks
down from the door of his house, and
where there was few years ago
small country tavern he now sees
great hoteH Up the road and down the road,
where in former years, he could now and then
see a county wagon drag along, he now sees a
ghttering procession of elegant equipages,
city. MrgDowling can close his eyes. and.
some astounding changes which he has wit
messed, from the porch of his country home.
He c9A recollect the talk of men about him.
wheA they spoke of land worth few dollars
an acre. Now 500 an acre is offered, and
theTe are no eager sellers. He can look on the
latest maps of the city and its suburbs. and he
finds that Massachusetts avenue extended
passes near his place. He is beginning to think
that after all his country home must be in the
city.
Farther on along the way to the Great Falls the
road leads past the place of 4. 3. Cropley. A
fishing club has a coy club house located at
an eligible point along the road. and there that
expert angler, ". 5. ROose may be seen, and
DR.. TOwnshend and others who are member of
the club.