The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-24

"a 4
NV make their claims for sum-
mer GOODNESS, each one as
serts that it is situated upon some of
the highest land in the District" or
that it contains almost" the highest
point in the District; but Tenleytown
admits of no better to its best. Ten
Ieytown is superlative ~ respect to
height Tenleytown looks down from
her seven hills upon all her sister sub
urbs.
The town commands the most beautiful
views, and it is one of the largest and
oldest suburbs of the city. AS far back
as 1910 it had its first settlers, fam
lily of two brothers and their three
sisters. named Tenley, who. in 1s45, built
the house which still stands on the
crest of the hill known as Gloria
Point" and behind which they
are buried Curiously enough, none Of
the family ever married, and the name
survives only in that of the town. Is
The spelling "TenalIytown.S and va
rious similar forms are used, but the
best authority is in favor of ''Tenley-
town. as this was the spelling of the
original name, and the abbreviation to
merely "Tenley" is also advised by the
Postofice Department, though it is
worthy of note that in the old village
graveyard on the headstone of one Jo-
seph Conrad, born in Wurtemburg. in
1898, and dying here in 1864. the SPELL
ing "'Tenleytown" is used
Some Civil War History.
Thus early settled the town became
the scene of some OF the nations his
tory. During the civil war its soil
was torn by the shot and she'll of the
contending armies. When Gen. JubaI
Early made his famous raid across the
Potomac on the 18th of July, 1864, part
of his course lay slightly west of Ten
leytown- To withstand his attack
trenches were dug, and earthworks
Road" and the Murdoch Mill Road. ."
at Gloria Point. by the Union army. a
strategic position commanding the val
ley 70 the west Grant had detached
Gen. Beaverton Ricketts, brigade from
the forces operating against Richmond,
and hurried it north TO Washington and
Baltimore.
Sklrmishes in the vicinity of Tenley-
town. Bladensburg. and Brightwood
then distinctly separated from the city
OF Washington. caused great alarm in
the Capital. but on July Il. Early with
drew across the Potomac and down the
Cumberland Valley. followed by Sheri-
dan and Ricketts,. and was eventually
defeated at Cedar Creek in October, to
which battle Sheridan made his famous
ride.
The vicinity of Tenleytown is natural
Iy fitted for operations in defense of the
city. A few hundred yards from the
grass grown breastworks is Fort Reno,
43O feet above the level of Pennsylvania
Avenue. This is without exception the
highest point in the District, and the
reservoir which furnishes water TO the
city is placed here.
Naturally, the town, lying along the
summit of this elevation. is blessed with
delightful air, and in summer cooling
breezes which render it the best of re-
sorts for summer residents. AS may be
imagined, the views obtainable from the
hills in every direction over the farms
in the valleys and the woodlands on
opposite heights. are magnificent. and a
constant source of pleasure to all
Lives N the Today.
Tenleytown is a historic town But
itedoes not. on that account. live in the
past and sleep in memories. The Ten
Ieytown of today is a lively. busy vii
lage Of nearly c thousand inhabitants,