Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27


The meanderings Of the creek, which add to
the beauty of the region, greatly increased the
perplexities Of the problem that present ted itself
to the park commission when they began the
work OF laying out the creek. They had to lay
out park which would be on both sides of the
creek, contain not more than 1900 acres, and
comply with other restrictions of the act As
it was well known that one purpose Of the act
was to secure Rock creek against pollution the
commission set about the work with a view to
include all of Rock creek from Klingle ford to
the District boundary within the park.
THE ROCK CREEK REGION.
The beauty Of the region is proverbial It
has been celebrated by poets and painters.
Major Michler in the original report made to
the Senate in 1865 was so moved by the lowell
ness of the region he had explored that he rose
above the ordinary statistical level of pub
doc" and thus discoursed: SIN no place has
nature been more bountiful Of her charms than
in the vicinity of this city, and all be found
so near and accessible-the valley of the Rock
creek and it's tributaries, the Broad and Piney
branches and the several minor rivulets, with
the adjoining hills overlooking these beautiful
| streams present to the capital of the nation
advantages not to be lightly dsregarded in
providing a park worthy of a great people,
All the elements which constitute public re-
| sort of the kind can be found in this wild and
romantic tract OF country. With its charming
drives and walks, its hills and dales its pleasant
and cultivated fields, its running waters, its
rocks clothed with rich ferns and MOSES. its
repose and tranquility. its light and shade.
its ever-varying shrubbery, its beautiful and
extensive views, the locality is already posses
| sed with all the features necessary for the OBJ.
| ject in view. There you can find nature
diversified in almost every hue and form. need
ing but the taste OF the artist and the skill OF
the engineer to enhance its beauty and useful.
| ness; gentle pruning and removing what may
L. a.,x.n AZ. A. l.
and the construction OF new ones, and increas-
ing the already large growth of trees and
shrubs, deciduous and evergreen, by adding to
| them those of other chimes and countries"
| Another matter-of-fact engineer officer was
equally affected many years after, for Capt,
Symons in his report on the park project in 1895
said: "There lies within the District OF Columbia
. region of marvellous natural beauty, a region
OF rugged rocks, running water and stately
| trees. Of lovely deep and shady valleys, steep
forest-covered slopes and rolling sunny uplands.
This region, yet largely in state of nature and
lying just beyond the present city limits, seems
specially designed by the Creator for the rec
reation grounds of this large and rapidly grow
ing city, and set deeply in the hearts of ali citi-
zens Of Washington, worthy Of the name, 10 the
who come after them for grand public park. II
ALONG THE CREEK.
At every step along the creek from the Dis.
w AAAAu8AC AoAus tAo bOutueTu limit Oh
the park, there are attractive views. At the
District line the stream ID narrow and swift. II
dashes over rocks forming cascades and falls
| As one descends the stream he has on one hand
wild rocky rayines overhung with ancient
moss-covered trees and on the other soft un.
dulating meadows. Not far south Of the Dis.
trict line are the 80 called Rock Creek falls,
which form the main object in the widest
landscape on the stream. For O hundred rods
the stream tumbles, white with spray and foam,
over boulder after boulder. 1he descent II
ninety feet in as many reds. Just off from Bright
wood the Military road crosses the creek at one
Of its pretty points. All along the upper region
OF the creek, and in fact for its entire course,
| the banks are continually changing in aspect
and new and enchanting views are disclosed q
every turn. Below the Military road are the ruius
Of the Argyle mill, with its moss-covsred wheel
sti1 in place. From the Argyle mill pictur-
ssqus and romantic road runs ON down thu
creek, now disappsasing IN the woods and
] agaiA eeaing elesS " Ne dashing stEsam. Moi