Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-10
TRAMP TO BRooKLAND. TAKOMA


n Park. Gen. Beale's. Riggs and Soldiers
lone will be found to yield much pleasure
lake North Capitol street at Florida avenue,
hence to Lincoln avenue, to Bunker Hill road,
% Sargent road, to Bates road, to Rock Creek
Church road. to Blair ROAD, to and through
Jakoma to Carroll avenue. to Rapley road, to
Beale road to North Bladensburg road, TO
Riggs road. 10 Rock Creek Church road. to and
lhroush Soldiers Home Park, to Whitney ave-
hue, to Brightwood avenue. TO city
Condition of the roads-North Capitol street.
rood. Lincoln avenue good: Bunker Hill road
lair: Sargent road. fair; Bates road. narrow
bed. soft sand and clay surfsce. uneven in
bpots; Rock Greek Church road, good; Blair
road. good. except in vicinity of Tahoma and
LAmonds; Carroll avenue. fair; Rapley road,
lair; Bsale road fair; North Bladensburg road.
lair: Riggs road fair; Soldiers Home drives.
good: whitney avenue, good; Brightwood ave-
nue.. good
Reaching Lincoln avenue at the head of
North Capitol street proceed along said avenue.
passing in quick succession the Roman Cath
bile. German Lutheran and Glenwood GEM
eteries Not far from Glenwood South Brook
land road is passed on the right. Arriving at
khe junction Of Lincoln avenue and Hardwood
and Bunker Hill roads continue along the
latter. the Roman Catholic University being on
the left Crossing the tracks of the Metropoli-
tan branch Of the Baltimore and OHIO at Uni
versity station, near here, you step into Brook
land The place first called Brooks, and
was 80 named in honor of Col. Jeheil Brooks,
pts nrst and most prominent resident
THE BROOKS MANSION.
| Col Brooks settled here more than sixty
years ago and built the solid square brick build
Iins that now occupies the southeast angle
Horned by Queen and Providence streets. 1t
was q splendid building for the period and Is
even now. in its old age. as it nestles In the
midst of fine grove. an attractive structure
He occupied it until his death, which occurred
| in 1886, at the ripe old age of ninety. Bunker
Hill road, which runs along near Its front, was
Originally built by Gen. Braddock in l155, dur
ling his movements against the French at Fort
|Duquesne (Pittsburg), and was known IN the
|old DAYS as '.Bra,ldock's road" Ii was sur
|veyed by Gen Chen IeutenanD George WASH
Iington. who was an aid Oh Braddock STAN
| Ali the land in this vicinity was originally
|owned by Jonathan Wight At his death the
portion OF his estate comprised within the
bounds of the present subdivisions OF the
Brooklands was left to his daughter, Mrs.
Nicholas l.. Queen Col. Jeheil Brooks mar
ried the eldest daughter OF Mr.. Queen. and at
the latter's death became possessed of the
property. which he named Belle Air.
Col. Brooks was quite prominent man in his
day and generation and held many public posi-
tons of trust He was personal and political
friend Of Andrew jackson, who frequently VS.
tied him at Belle Air. He Was a native of YER
mont, but his younger days we're spent In the
south and west He was called colonel because
he held that rank in the Ohio militia. from
which state be came TO the District of Columbia
In 1890 he was appointed by President jack
son Indian agent for the Red River agency OF
louisiana. Previous to that he successfully
represented the government in effectlng
treaty of peace with the Caddo Indians OF Lou
isiana- Copies of the commission from Gen
jackson and the treaty referred to. as well as
many other important documents belonging to
the Brooks Queen and Wight families. are IL:
the possession Of DIR. John Henry Brooks. son
of the colonel, who, by the way, has splendid
residence fronting on Bunker Hill road, westuf
Fort street. The doctor prizes his heirIooms
very highly.
Mr. Wisnt's will was executed in 1919. Nicho-
las L. Qussn being his executor. He was a
large slave owner. and there was stipulation
in the will that provided for their freedom at
a stated time. He conveyed the present Edge
wood property TO his brother John in 1888.
David Burns. one of the largest proprietors
Of tine present site of the city OF Washington.
together with his wife and sons. was buried
here but their remains were, some time ago.
removed to Rock Creek cemetery on account
of encroachments on the old burying ground.
A few years ago a syndicate took possession
Of the village and changed the name to Brook
land
The railway station is now called University,
after the adjoining Roman Catholic institu-
ton. The post office, however, still retains the
name of Brookiand- The post office was
established in 1879. Charles f. Padgett being
the first postmaster The present postmaster
is Henry Z Brooks. son of DR.. Brooks, and
grandson Of the founder of the place.
South Brookland was originally called
"Queensboro.
Turkey Ihicket' was the original name of
the old Middleton estate where now stands the
university buildings, and which formed part OF
he iOn III 1urlpg the first
decade of this century the home Of Samuel
Harrison smith, the first editor of the National
I.t,diJnsceT.
The old Queen mansion. a modest frame
building. il still standing, its white end being
visible IN the trees west OF the Bunker Hill
road. opposite IT, subdivision of University
Heights. An old-fashioned frame barn stands
Just east Of il.
COL BROOKS OAK TREE
On Bunker Hill road. a little east Of the rail
way station. stands "a magnificent old pin oak
tree with an interesting history. 1t was planted
by Col. Brooks nearly sixty years ago. by whom
j. was always watched with fostering eye.
When Fort Bunker was being built. in the early
DAYS of the late war. the soldiers under
took TO cut II down. but tine old man
strenuously objected He stood guard over
il three nights in succession, and finally
appealed to the Secretary of War for
protection. Mr.. stanton, although not much
given to sentiment yielded to his
opportunities. and gave orders TO ''spare that
tree" OF course. the colonel was iubllant over
his success. The tree is a very large one and
even now has hosts OF admiring friends. whose
zeal is evidenced in the care tina. is being taken
to preserve IL
Brookland. with its several subdivisions con-
tains population of about TOO
Looking to the north from the village the
earthvorks Of old Fo-t Tottsn are plainly
visible.
Resuming the excursion. and continuing
along Bunker Hill road, an eighth Of a mile
brings you TO Sargent road. which follow for a
few rods 10 its junction with Bates road, which
Is taken TO the left.
The railroad track is soon recrossed, a good
view Of Fort Totten being presented, the old
works being IN front. little to the right
Gaining the west side Of the Fort Totten ele-
walton. the byroad passed on the left leads over
TO Rock Creek Church road which it enters at
the south end Of the hamlet of Rupliville.
Looking west as you move around the old
fort good view is had OF the east side of Ma
6onal and Rock Greek cemeterles-
At kellys Corner, few rods north Won take
Rock Greek Church road 20 the right. AT the
same point two other roads conyerge-the
Terra Gotta road running east TO the railway
station of that name, and Shepherd road
which leads westward to Brightwood-
Here you enter Blair road. following II TO the
right, soon passing on the right the mouth OF
Riggs road. At Neliigans blacksmith shop Won
pass the mouth of sligo Mill road Passing
-. a..