Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-15

the stone building waiting for the corn to
be ground into Uea- ar the wheat kernels
into flour. A like number of horses or
mules could also he seen tethered near by,
the farmers their sons having ridden
to the mill with the bags of grain slung
across their animals backs The Pierce
mill once brought what was almost n fabu-
louS rental of S12J q month, or $l,5O0 a year,
the owner leasing the property to tenant
and miller. 1t was a paying investment
then. but in these days of rapid processes
the old water ground material could hardly
stand the competition made possible by
modern machinery.
Origin of the Old Mill.
1t was in 1850 that Isaac Pierce came into
possession of the territory which afterward
embraced the mill and other substantial
old structures that have already stood for
hundred years or more and are in condi-
ton to withstand the onslaughts of relent-
less time. The Pierce family always spelled
the name with the Sc before the 'i'' but
modern usage has changed this, and the mill
and the road upon which it is situated are
spelled on mats and plats Pierce" Isaac
Pierce came from Pennsylvania. He was
granted here that portion of land known
as Gift The territory now embraced
within the District was parceled out to the
early settlers by the English agents and
the odd names of the grants are still to be
tate Gift for instance, was surrounded
by various pieces of land, some of them
being known as Slippery HILL Argyle"
by which name Mr.. Thomas Blagden now
calls his country home (the original piece
of land being known as Argyle. Cowl Il
Lawn. On the west the Pierce property
WAS enjoined to ''Dumbarton," which is the
source of all the Dumbarton names now
familiar to residents of the District, par
ticularly in the Georgetown section. Dunn
barton Rock marked one of the boundaries
of Dumbarton tract.
Soon after settling in Rock Creek valley
Mr.. Pierce began to appreciate the COM
mercial value of the waters of the creek.
He first constructed a wooden mill This
structure Was erected probably about 1890.
The present stone MILL which stands at the
junction of Pierce Mill road and the creek,
is one of the staiwart examples of the solid
architecture Of the early nineteenth CEN
fury. The date of erection was about 1870.
There are seyeral small stone buildings,
used as spring houses and potato houses,
mat bear dates of erection as early 1870.
The Joshua Pierce mansion is not quite
so widely known as the old MILL for it is
d tritle remote from the roadway. The
house is located some distance below the
mill In fact 1t is but few yards north
of the Geological Park boundary and west
of the creek. 1t is picturesque old house
which was erected about 1910 The stone
walls are as true and as stout today as
they were when the maSonS first finished
them. 1t is enduring structure with
slate roof and iron porcheS- The place is
now occupied by a member of the metropol-
Titan police force, who pays nominal
rental to the District The tenant proves
good caretaker and the District Is glad
to have the house occupied. There two
other policemen occupying houses in the
park tenants of the District while the
Page house, just across the Zoo ford and
east of the creek. is occupied by d private
individual, who also pays rent. There are
several cabins at intervals in the park,
which are occupied by cOlored people,
against whom no charge is made. The park
authorities are glad to have these people
scattered through the reservation as a
means of protection. the police force being
Inadequate to supply the demand for a
proper official force.
Land Kept Intact.
Joshua Pierce was the of Isaac
Pierce, builder of the mill. Joshua carried
on large nursery business, making a spe-
cialty of raising camelias which were at
that time considered as rare as American
beauty roses are nowadays in the dead of
winter and brought from 81 to 81 bios
som. Both the PeirceS accumulated con-
siderable fortunes that enabled them in
after years to keep their property in tact
and not subdivide it into small portions to
be placed upon the market. 1t was due to
this fact, and to the further fortunate or
| cumstance that Mr.. Thomas Blagden, ST.,
was also a man of means who kept his
property in one piece. that the beautiful
| park of today was made possible The fine
| old trees were left undiSturbed in their
| majesty the hills were not graded into city
| lots-things were left nature made them
and in a condition of original beauty to be
| found in no other tract of like extent any.
where within the District of Columbia.
| Isaac Pierce was the great grand uncle
and Joshua Pierce was the grand uncle OF
Mr.. Louis Pierce Shoemaker. who is the
| son of Pierce Shoemaker Mr.. Shoemaker
tJ.., <Sfa ut thn n16 chppa
mansion into museum could be speedily
carried into effect If the authorities of the
park shall so decree. Only a permit from
| the board of control. which is composed OF
the three District Commissioners and the
chief of engineers of the United States
| army, is necessary. There are many things
| of interest. and pertaining strictly to the
park and its origin that could be incorpOr-
| ated In the museum collection.
| Mr.. Shoemakers suggestion is that one
| room in the mansion might be fitted up as
| sort of library. with maps OF the park
| and the surrounding territory, map OF
| the United States. and original maps OF
! various sections of the park displayed on
| the walls. Suitable books might form a
| part of the collection for this room also.
! second room, Ii is proposed, might be
| set aside as gallery. Amateur photog-
raphers would only need an invitation to
| contribute to this room some of the best
| specimens of their work. The views would
| naturally be those of various places In
| the park. 1t would be a condition that
! the pictures should be handsomely framed
before being hung. the photographers
| name to be attached. 1t is proposed also
| that there might be hung in this room
pictures of the men who made Rock Creek
| Park possible and who took a prominent
| part in the proceedings for the condemna-
| ton of the land necessary to its creation
| as a park. Mr.. r. Ross Perry and Mr..
| Hugh T. Taggart. the latter assistant
| United States district attorney represent
ed the government In those proceedings
| while Judge Jere Wilson and Mr. Tall
! madge A. Lambert represented the prop
erty owners. Justice c. C. Cole presided.
Then. too. 1t Is proposed that there should
be pictures of the Commissioners, who have