Evening star., 1907-11-12
ROCK CREEK PARK HISTORY
PAMPHLET SHOWING OPERA
TONS SINCE MAY, 1880.
Beauty of the Reservation and Orig
inal Formation to Be Preserved.
Additional Land Desired.

Tho board of control If Rock Creek
Park has issued report in booL; form
containing a history # lie operations of
the board from it's establishment seven
teen years ago 10 May l last. This his
tory is the first ever issued In connection
with the park. and it Is looked upon as
not only valuable fnr reference purposes.
but interesting and instructive as reading
matter Many important recommends
tions are contained in II for the future
Improvement of the park.
More than a year has been devoted to
the preparation of the report The work
was commenced by Col. John Biddle, who,
as Engineer Commissioner of the District.
was a member of the board and also oc-
cupied the position OF secretary Since
his retirement as Commissioner the work
has been carried on by Daniel E Garges.
secretary TO the Engineer Commissioner
and clerk to the board, under the personal
supervision OF Capt. Jay J. Morrow, who
succeeded Col. Bidde as Engineer Com
missioner aud secretary OF the board OF
control The history is condensed and
in ia abulated form and contains number
OF Photographic Illustrations Of the scenic
beauty of Washngtons famous natural
park.
In It's Natural Form.
II is the intention of the board, of
course TO perpetuate this popular reser-
walton In its natural form. and is opposed
10 the introduction of anything artificial
or prosaic or resembling the tailor
made The board contends that the
beauty of the park lies in its closeness to
nature-in its lack of artifCialness. The
members of the board like the sight of
fallen trees and the undeTbrush, the logs
in the streams. believing them to be at
as hP jnHjratiOn
20 herself.
For this reason the board says in its re-
port that to open roads before they are
needed and to unduly improve the park
would take away from the beauty without
gain. For the same reason the old pic
turesque farmhouses will be left TO stand
in the park as al present The board con.
tends that the presence and occupancy OF
these houses provides watchmen through
out the park. decreasing greatly the dan
ger of fire.
Regarding some of the proposed future
improvements the report says:
When 18th street leading from the White
House 10 and along the park is fully
opened and as population develops along
il. the part of the park lying west OF 18th
street and near the Brightwood reservoir
could be readily developed into grounds
for base ba !. foot ball, tennis and other
games. as it is now being done for golf
restaurant or casino could be located here
This would be an emtnent!y satisfactory
location, as II is most convenient OF access
and is separated by woods from the val
ley of the creek and the wild part of the
park. To do this properly needs the ad-
dition of certain strips of land. amounting
In all to about forty acres, west OF 10th
street which should be purchased Such
additions are most important to the park
and are in fact. essential 10 It's value
Bills have been introduced in Congress for
their, purchase. but have not passed
Purchase of Additional Land.
Another addition OF great Importance is
the purchase of some hundred acres of
land lying along Massachusetts avenue
west of Rock creek and adjacent to part
OF the park.
Shelters should be constructed at various
points and steps have already been taken
toward preparing plans.
In recording the history Of the park the
board mentioned the enactment of hi!
in 1890 authorizing the establishment or a
public park.
The act provided for the purchase Of
tract of land lying on both sides OF
Rock creek, beginning at hlingle Ford
bridge and running nOTthWdrdly along the
course Of the creek. WITH a width Of not
less than 600 feet nor more than l.2oo
feet, including the bed OF the creek. OF
which AT least 40 feet was TO be on
either side Of the 'reek. This land was TO
be perprtuaIIy dedicated and set apart as !
4 public park or pleasure ground for
the benefit and enjoyment OF the people OF
the United States. to be known by the
name of Rock Creek Park. The park
vas not To- exceed III area 1000 acres nor
~. cost 81 2UJ $50, winch sum was appro-
p~iateI for the purpose, one-half from
H.. Treasury OF 'he United states and one
la af from the revenues OF the District OF
Columbia
Original Board of Control.
Tie original board of control consisted
of Gen Il Y. Eoynton. Prof S. p. Lang
icy and Mr. p. Ross Perry as the civilian
members Of the commission. who. with
Brig Cen Thomas l.. Casey. then chief
O. engineers. and Lieut.. Col Henry NJ
Robert then Engineer Commissioner,
formed the Rock Creek Park commission.
Tie executive officer was Capt. William