The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-02-22
CITY AND COUNTRY.

The Steady Development of the Taste for
Suburban Homes.
Though the growth of the country about
Washington dates back but few years, during
this period it has made wonderful progress, and
suburban life is now as distinctive feature of
this locality as it is of New York and Boston,
though of course not so extensive as in those
cities. In few years the English custom of
maintaining country establishment will be the
rule here with all who can afford such luxury
Until President Cleveland by example dis
covered to the s'upper ten' of Washington
society the many delightful advantages of life in
the high country to the northwest of the city the
movement from the city was by people of
moderate means who could not afford to buy or
build suitable homes in the part of the city
where residence was desirable. Others sought
the country on account of their health or their
children, and still others went to escape the
discomfort of hot days and oppressive
nights in the city. While our asphalt streets
make riding pleasant it cannot be denied that
they become like Dutch ovens during the sum-
mer. The city's parks are beautiful from April
to November, but they are always overcrowded,
othose who cannot get away from the city for
the summer there seems to be but one thing
to do to escape the above conditions, and that
is to own or rent country home near enough
to the city to make easy access to business
Hyattsville was one of the first places to
grow up from the establishment of suburban
homes by people who were in Office or business
in the city. 1t has had steady and permanent
growth since its booming days, and in its many
pretty homes may be found the pleasure and
comfort known only to those who can appreci-
ate semi rural life.
teen miles from Washington, was the next town
to feel the impetus of the demand for suburban
homes, and it soon became the anchorage
ground of several naval officers and their fami-
lies. John w. Hogg, Esq, Chief Clerk of the
Navy Department, was one of the first to go to
Rockville from Washington, and in little
while there were several captains, commo-
dore, and an admiral to give a naval tone to the
social atmosphere of that quiet and aristocratic
burg. Rockville has had several additions to
its corporate limits made within the past two
years, investments In which have proved ex-
ceedingly profitable. The presence of several
schools and churches give to Rockville advan-
tages which other and newer places do not pos
sess.
Falls Church, across in sold Virginia." is
one of the older towns to which Washingtonians
have gone for quiet and comfort. For many
years it had not ample railroad facilities and
there is still room for improvement in this re-
spect. The country here is beautiful, and land
and houses can be bought at very reasonable
prices. Up to two or three years ago Hyatts-
vile, Falls Church, and Rockville were the
only points near the city where small properties
could be had, and they seemed to supply the
demand. Now there are nearly one hundred
subdivisions of country property of more or
less desirabity. Some of these will not de-
Velop beyond the paper-plat stage, while others
and probably the majority will become prosper
GUS and delightful villages. The same discre-
ton and judgment exercised in investing in
these suburban towns that is used in other in
vestments, and no one need feel that he
has not done well. Those who have
bought without investigation, upon represen-
tations that small amount of money would
realize an enormous profit, may get bit and if
they are few will sympathize with them. That
there are many of this class is apparent from
the success attending the efforts of sharps who
advertise literally schemes by which one dollar
is to coin fifty In any incredibly short time if
invested in some combination, the land basic
for which is located in some out-of-the-way
corner where personal inspection is impractf-
cable or impossible. 1t should make no diff
ference whether the amount invested is small or
great, the investor should see what he is buying,
and on general principles it is best to beware of
the Investment that promises an unreasonable
profit. +. BENJAMIN.