Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-30

the legislation which permitted the use of
electric lights on overhead wires east of
Rock creek.
Takoma Park.
1t is said that twenty-one years ago Mr..
B. F. Gilbert, the pioneer and founder Of
Takoma. exhibited remarkable foresight, as
this attractive suburban community is now
directly in the line of the wonderful growth
and extension Of the greater Washington.
The word Takoma is of Indian origin, and
signifies "a high place" In this regard It
is not a. misnomer, for Takoma Park lies
directly north and less than five miles OF
the city of Washington and is biseeted by
the District line, one portion of the town
owing allegiance to the federal city and the
other to the state OF Maryland, and both
Justly proud of altitude above Washing
ton that varies, according to location, from
800 to 400 feet Residents of the Park claim
that during the heated term the Takoma
thermometers register a temperature from
ten to twenty degrees cooler than is ildi-
Gated on the hot and sultry city streets,
and that the tempering influence of the lux
uriant shade and pure air renders the diff
ference even more apparent. Then, too.
Takoma Is located IN the very depths of a
densely wooded country, where flourish
the oak, the chestnut. the balsaniic, health
giving pine the hickory, dogwaed, holly
and laurel,-trees and shrubs or the noun
tains. all in prodigal profusion. so that the
problem is not indeed, how to secure shade
but how to esta blish the rule OF proper Sc
lection In the process of thinning 1t out
Along with its other bountiful gifts IL is
claimed that nature has bestowed upon
Takoma one of priceless value and in gem
erous volume-water of the finest quality
Takoma water is noted far and wide. and
most people who are interested In LEGAL
pure water questions have heard OF the
Takoma spring. Philosophical citizens
have realized the necessity of municipal i'm
provements, and. as result of their enter
prise, there is now in operation a model
water and sewerage system, which it is de-
clared has received the unqualified irdorse-
ment of engineering experts
The source of the water supply Is Sligo
creek, a springfield stream and filtered
water is pumped into a steel reservoir of fif-
ty thousand gallons capacity, one hundred
and forty feet above the ground, whence it
Is distributed throughout the town. the
pressure being sufficient to afford ample
fire protection without the necessity for an
engine. So important adjunct to the
comfort, health, happiness and public utili-
ties Of Takoma is the Sligo creek that in
earnest appreciation of the water course a
resident has said in tribute:
I'm the region of the Sligo, stream of
never-ceasing beauty that adds inimitable
charms to Takoma Park. nature again
shows her wonderful handiwork In a series
of pictures that vary in tone and color and
atmosphere with every glance Wandering
along the beautiful, shaded roads and paths
Caat SIXTH the stream, charmed now by
rocky heights. now by immense boulders
against which the waters rush and foam
or leap away in miniature cascades one
can easily imagine oneself in the heart of
the mountains, away from civilization and
care, In glorious contemplation of nature
and her handiwork. The beauties of the
Sligo are never-e nding-its repertory Is in
exhaustible."
Transportation Facilities.
In the matter of transportation facilities,
ample railway service is afforded by the
daily suburban trains of the Metropolitan
branch of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
or the Brightwood electric cars The new
Takoma public school, Of which a view
is given in this issue, erected at cost in
Guiding the site, of S65000, is model
structure In every respect. Its large. we'll
lighted rooms, its attractive entrance hall,
It's play rooms, sanitary plumbing, lava
tories, extensive grounds and the artistic
lines of the building are a source of pride
to the residents of the town and vicinity.
The homes of Takoma in point of arehi-
lecture present pleasing variety and evil
dence much taste and care In construction.
The beauty of the suburban villas and cot
tages is enhanced not only by natural sur
roundings. but by well-kept lawns and
walks and flowers that complete an attract
i've landscape Modern improvements in
the way of gas, water, sewers, cement side
walks, free mail delivery and other
veniences add to the desirabilty of Takoma
Park as place of residence for those in
search Of attractive suburban homes. Mr..