Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-11
The OLD FALLS CHURCH.

The present pastor of the church. the Rev
Frank Page, is said to DE lneal descendant OF
the Rev. Bernard Page, who was rector q hun.
dred years ago.
As the village grew up about Little Falls
Church the name was contracted to Falls
Church.
At the close of the civil war. when the village
commenced its new growth. the subject OF
changing the name to a local Indian cognomeu
was agltated. but nothing came of it.
While the church is hoary with age, the
town Itself is really new. the growth of COM
paratlvely few years. At The close of the war
1t did not contain half dozen houses. 1t has
now population of 1872 according to the last
national census. 1t is an Incorporated town
with mayor and common council, and is rap
Idly growing. The male part of the population
IL largely composed of persons who do bust
ness III Washington city, good proportion of
them being government clerks. There are
many handsome residences and all the leading
Christian denominations have attractive church
ediiices. The Presbyterian Church on Broad
street is the most attractive. II was built in
1884. of handsome stone. quarried in the town.
The northern and southern branches of the
Methodist church have each neat edfice.
Good public schools are also provided and the
several stores In tine place do profitable bust
The old building on the northwest corner of
Broad and Washington streets. now used as a
II,
building in the town, but il has been remodeled
several times. 1t was known as ''Star Tavern
in the old DAYS.
Falls Church is a temperance town, no intoxi-
cants being allowed to be sold. This has had
much to do with its prosperity.
The town Is six miles from Washington and
eight miles from Alexandria. 1t occupies high
ground, being some 800 feet above the level of
the Potomac.
ON The MINORS HILL ROAD.
Resuming the excursion, move to the right
around Browns store, and proceed along
Broad street for an eighth of mile, when you
turn to the right on Minors Hill road A few
PAGES bring you to the Lewinsyilie road which
you cross, again few yards beyond crossing
the tracks OF the Washington ana Ohio railroad
ana tour-Alile run. This point is a little north
OF the railway station. which is observed to the
right. Not far from here the Vienna road is
crossed.
Reaching Minors Hill. which is one and a
half miles from Falls Church and three and a
nail miles from Chain bridge and Georgetown
respectively, splendid views are presented.
standing upon It's summit. which is quite eie-
waited, you get almost bird s-eye view OF Falls
Church, which nestles cozily at its base. Nov
ing the head to the left, in the distance to the
eastward the cupola of Fairfax Seminary and
the shaft OF the Washington monument loom
up III the distance. OF clear day. when the
foliage is oil the trees the Soldiers Home is
also visible.
At the foot Of the hill you pass "a byroad on
the right which leads to some of the farm
houses In the neighborhood.
Descending the eastern side of the hill YOU
pass Oh the left road that leads over to Lang
icy, three miles to the northward Five hun
bred yards up this road stands the old mansion
OF George Minor, he with other members OF
his family being once the proprietors of most
OF the land about here. The building was used
by the army during the war as headquarters
for the advance pickets
Your road now leads through woodland for n
quarter OF mile, when the clearing is again
entered. This piece of woodland is specially
interesting on account of its botanical rich
ness. he song birds roundelay lis heard in
every direction.
Minors bill road is very rough and has the
appearance OF being neglected by the county
olhcers having supervision of roads
Reaching Browns Bend road which is pres
entity reached, take it to the right. This road,
Mhlcn has a bad surface AT many points, leads
through open fields. over highland and through
low lands, and is full OF botanical interest. 1t
makes Charming walk and "a light buggy
could pass through without danger
At Chain Bridge road junction Mount Oliyet
Methodist Church, a modest but neat frame
building. occupies q position on the right
Here take the Chain Bridge road to the ght
which follow to Ballston through an interest
ing stretch OF country, crossing Falls Church
road on the way. At Ballaton take the Balston
road TO the left for Rosslyn, which piece of
road was described in a previous excursion.
(IEnRGE