Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-19

SELECTION THAT WILL FILL EVERY REQUIRE
MENr DEsIRED-LANp GIVEN BY TWO PROM
/. NENT GENTLEMEN - NO DOUBT OF BISHOP
PARET's APPROVAL OF THE COMMITTEES ACTION.
As far as the committee appointed by Bishop
Paret to select site for the proposed Episco-
pal Cathedrali is concerned this important duty
was completed last evening. A lengthy meet
ing Of the committee was held last evening at
the residence of Rev. DR.. Douglass, the chair
man Of the committee. and the entire subject
was carefully considered. At previous meet
ing of the committee the various sites offered
had been discussed, and in the interval the
individual members had given the matter more
or less attention. The advantages of the va
rious sites offered, it is believed, have been
fully considered and the conclusion reached is
believed to be in the interests of the proposed
enterprise.
THE SITE SELECTED
is a beautiful tract of land lying between the
Klingle and the WoodIey roads to the west of
the Geological Park and adj joining On the north
Woodley Park. Those who drive out the Wood
ley road can see portion OF this property
which fronts on that road just east of the coun-
try place OF Gardiner q. Hubbard. 1t is on
the line of Connecticut avenue extended along
which the Rock Greek Company is building an
electric road The location OF this site in its
general relation TO prominent points in the
locality is shown by the sketch map which &C
companies this article
PIE OPT OF TWO CITIZENS
The property thus secured Is the gift Of two
citizens, Mr. Francis G.. Newlands and Mr..
Pierre Waggaman. The largest share of the
fourteen and half acres is given by Mr.. New
lands. He donates the best portion of what Is
[1axl I,..k xko,
twenty-five acres. The eight and a-half acres
given by Mr.. Newiands comprises practically
ali of the high ground in that tract. He pur-
chased this property about tive years ago, pay
ing for it the sum Of Sl25.000. This Is nearly
$4,000 per acre In addition he has given the
committee option on five acres more
which will afford frontage on Connecticut
avenue extended. He agrees to let them have
this ground for the same price he paid for IL two
years ago. Considering that the ground selected
is the choicest part OF the entire tract and does
not include those portions which are less avail
able it Is estimated that the value Of the eight
and a half acres on the basis of the price
paid is at least $4,000 per acre. As ground q
mile further away from the city has sold in lots
at the rate of fifteen or twenty thousand dollars
per acre the value of this gift can be appreci-
ated
THE wAaGAMAN TRACT.
The tract of land given by Mr.. Waggaman
lies to the sOuth Of the Clark tract and will
bring the line of the new site bordering on
that of woodley Park. 1t is estimated to he Of
equal value with the Clark tract As may be
seen from the map. there Is q strip of land of
some seven acres known the Evans tract
which lies between the new site and a section
Of Connecticut avenue extended. 1t is pro-
posed to complete the frontage on that avenue
by the purchase of this tract from the Evans
heirs. and final arrangements for the purchase
of the property will be made upon the return
Of one OF the heirs from Europe. The entire
property will then comprise twenty-six acres.
AN ADMIRABLE SITUATION.
The consideration which led the committee
to select this site from all the others offered
was mainly its admirable situation. 1t is ele-
waited ground, nearly three hundred feet above
the level OF the ocean, and commands fine
view not only of the city, but of the picturesque
stretch of country which has become 30 justly
celebrated as the Rock creek region. Upon the
highest point OF this ground will be erected the
cathedral. magnificent building, SO designed as
to harmonize with the surroundings. rich
in natural beauty. IL will lie a prominent
object in the landscape and from any direction
il can be seen and admired. an OF ject lesson in
architecture which will not fail to have its in
huence in the development of this region.
which is destined in the near future to be
handsome residence section Of the suburbs
| 1t was fortunate for the great enterprise as
citizens of the District that the committee was
not limited in its choice by any consideration
of economy. Other offers were received of
eligible sites which were equally as generous
in their terms as the one accepted. Valuable
land was freely offered and the main point to
be determined by the committee was the selec-
ton of location that WAS best adapted for the
proposed uses for the present and for the
future. 1t ID the belief Of the committee that
the site selected meets these requirements.
ANOTHER CONSIDERATION.
There is another consideration which is in
favor of this site and that it is in the line of the
new railroad, which will bring it within ten or
fifteen minutes of the center Of the city. The
proximity to the Rock Greek and Geological
Parks insures surroundings that will be for all
time attractive and inviting.
BISHOP PABErs APPROVAL
This action OF the committee will have to be
approved by Bishop Paret, but there seems to
be no question that be will indorse what has
been done. 1t is proposed TO ask from the