Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-31
GREATER WASHINGTON.
Review by Old Resident Of Changes
Wrought by Time.

Wrought by Time.
what were once my favorite hunting
grounds" said a not very old resident of
the northern part of the county, where
rabbits, squirrels and cartridges were
plentiful. where coon and 'possum hunting
was favorite amusement when l reached
mature manhood, have been wonderfully
changed in the past few years. Since lie
Droit Park was opened to settlement. the
subdivisions have multiplied, and were it
not for the Soldiers Home Enclosure and
the Rock Creek Church and cemetery
grounds, and the establishment of the Zoo
logical and Rock Creek Parks within few
years, all the country between Rock creek
and the Eastern branch would have lost
all semblance to its former condition.
Il can remember some fine farms-to-
bacco plantations some of them were
which are now wrought up into avenues
and streets on which are fine dwellings,
with gas and water, and the electric cars
men to reach their places of business in
half the time formerly required to walk
from their homes, few squares distant.
when the county of Washington was
truly rural" he continued, there were
absolutely no public school facilities and
few private schools There was a school at
Rock Creek Church and one at Queens
Chapel-the only schools, though some of
the old farmers who had governesses in
their families allowed their neighbors'
children the services of the governesses.
There were two churches in this section,
the venerable st. Paul's, better known
now as Rock Creek, and Queens Chapel,
now adjoining Langdon, representing, re-
spectively, the Episcopal and Catholic de-
nominations. Prior to the war the Metho-
dish Church South built church near
Brightwood, and some thirty years ago
the Local Preachers Association of the
NJ. E. Church erected Piney Grove Church,
now known as Langdon.
Now look over the ground-a Christian
Pa OF IN
Brightwood avenue; Congregational, Pres
byterian, Episcopal and Catholic churches
in or near Mount Pleasant; the Catholic
University, with churches and other in
situations, at Brookland; a Baptist church
in that section, and a hall for Catholic
worship at Brightwood, pending the cree
ton of church there. These are not all,
for so rapid has been the transition l can
not keep fully advised. In fact, 1 feel lost
if I have not handy the latest map. The
fact that there are so many church Or
CARNATIONS speaks well for the character
of the residents and the many public schools
established indicate that the future resi-
dents will not be of the ignorant class.
While these are far apart as viewed by
those reared in the city, to us who walked
miles but few years since to recite our
lessons they appear quite convenient.
''These subdivisions" the old man con-
tinued have completely changed the sur
roundings of Washington. Bladensburg
road, the street which bounds the city,
and Boundary street, as Florida avenue
was successfully called, Is now residen-
tial avenue on both sides, and far out in
the county are improved streets, on which
in some cases are rows Of residences and
places which, though once paying a few
dollars for taxes, now pay hundreds. Just
take the old White farm, where for years
Mr.. Charles White engaged in growing
grain, fruit and vegetables. 1t is now
known as Brightwood Park, just north of
Petworth. This tract was of ninety-three
acres, and the annual taxes under the
present form of government are about S130,
but under the old levy court much less. 1t
was in 1890 laid off for building purposes,
and the land taken for streets and ave-
nues reduced that portion for building
lots to about fifty acres. The streets have
been opened pavements laid at cost to
private parties Of $4,000 and a few thou
sands to the District and there are now
about $50 houses there with families re-
siding in them, and the general taxes now
imposed run we'll up into the thousands.
Doubtless this showing Is fair one as to
the many additions made in recent years
to Greater Washington