The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-06-21

on this beautiful drive will be begun very
shortly.
Captain Rossell has completed map showing
the proposed extension of Massachusetts
avenue beyond Rock Creek which he intends
submitting for approval to the owners of the
property through which the avenue will run.
If these owners express their willingness to
accept the extension and donate the land
necessary for the construction of the avenue,
work on it will be begun at once. In the last
District Appropriation bill the following para
graph appears: "For grading Massachusetts
avenue in the direction of the Methodist Uni
versity, $4,000" 1t was in accordance with
the provision of this article that the subject of
the extension of this handsome boulevard was
considered. When the matter was taken up
number of conflicting interests were met
with. Different parties interested in property
in the vicinity of the extended avenue wished
it built either this way or that in order to
benefit their possessions. But one objection
could be found to an extension in the direct
line in which Massachusetts avenue now runs
and that was, that it passed in too close prox-
unity to the Naval Observatory where instru-
ments of such delicacy are kept that the jar
ring produced by bypassing vehicles might disturb
them a distance of ZOO feet, however, was
thought sufficient to obviate any difficulty
from this source and it was found that by
making circle in the avenue at that section
ofitwhich would pass through the Observatory
grounds the avenue could be extended in a
straight line. This it has been decided to do
and the map prepared by Captain Rossell for
approval shows the avenue extended in
direct line with the present one with the ex-
nf hot ~ Of 81
the Observatory grounds The avenue at
present is 100 feet wide and this width will be
maintained throughout. The avenue now
reaches Rock Creek. In the last Congress a
bill was introduced and fayorably reported
providing for the erection of fine bridge at
this spot.
The bill failed to pass 1t is not dead,
showcver. On the other side of the creek
the avenue, if extended as now proposed,
will pass through the property of Mr. John
W. Thompson and then through section of
the Normanstone estate which Joins that of
the Naval Observatory. Here & circle with ra-
dius of 10s0feet has been made carrying the ave-
nue. beyond the distance given by the officers
of the Observatory as being sufficient to insure
no disturbance of their instruments The ave-
nue. then runs through Dunbarton Heights and
at the farther limit of it crosses the Tennally-
town Road. just across there is a small trian-
gular piece of property which the avenue
crosses, the ownership of which is not known
Adjoining this is more land, belonging to
Mr.. John W. Thompson. Beyond this is
Farview Heights. Here is a small break
owing to the fact that the land has
hitherto been donated and circle laid out
there. The avenue then passes through the
property of Mr.. John E. Beall, Q. G. Glover,
and K. j. Rosenbush, the latter of which ad-
joins the grounds of the Methodist University,
through which the avenue passes. The appro-
priation of Congress is now available, and if
the land is donated work will be begun. Cap
tain Rossell, in order to secure the most benefit
to all concerned, proposes, when the grading
is begun, to begin where the avenue crosses
the Tennallytown Road and work in both direc-
tions from this place. He cannot say now how
far the $4,000 will grade.
When the avenue beyond Rock Creek is
graded and completed it will not only furnish
one of the pleasantest drives about the city but
will open a direct route to suburban prop
erty which is rapidly assuming most promi-
nent position. At the end of the avenue will
be the Methodist University, the grounds of
which Will be beautifed under the direction of
Mr.. Armistead, the well-known landscape
gardener The drive out Massachusetts,
avenue to the University grounds will an
doubtedly prove one of the most popular in
Washington. 1t will be grand boulevard
where fashion will promenade each afternoon,
and from whose summit-where the beautiful
subdivision of Wesley Heights is located-a
bird's-eye view can be obtained of the Virginia
hills, the Blue Ridge, the city and the broad
Potomac. Investors have not been slow to dis
cover the advantages of this locality and the
activity in sales even during the heated term
of the past week has been noticeable. The
building lots are of good size and sell al
prices ranging from $40O to $500. Mr.. John
f. Waggaman, who owns this desirable sub
division, speaks in most enthusiastic terms OF
its future. The situation has its natural ad
Vantages, being high and healthy, with q
commanding view of the surrounding coun
try, while at the same time it is easy Of
access and within two miles of the city. The
electric road now runs there and others viii
De shortly built Anticipating the growth o.
this section, Mr.. Waggaman proposes to SCI
apart a square Of ground 400x600 feet in ex
tent TO be utilized as a public park. As 10
cation for country residence lots in WESLEY
Heights offer exceptional advantages. Ii
close proximity are the two popular hun
clubs, the Dumblane and the Woodley II un