Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-05-20
THE LUNGS OF THE CITY.
AIexandria's Breathing Places, Drives,
Parks and Resorts.

Alexandria is one of the most COM
pactly built cities in the country. and
owing to the access given by the water
ways and roadways to delightful out
side places, little attention has been
given to local parkways, but that over
sight promises now to be remedied.
The city has no park, but one is now
proposed in which the plan includes
the erection of a statue Of Washington,
who is to be portrayed as a citizen and
neighbor and friend. The active pro-
moter of this movement Is A. ]. We'd
derburn, whose arguments were so po-
tent that Congress recognized the i'm
portance Of this work, and had struck
200, 900 medallions at the Philadelphia
mint to be sold to assist in building a
suitable pedestal for this monument.
The dies on the medallion represent
George Washington as a Mason, a
fireman, a farmer, and surveyor, all
civic occupations. Mr.. Wedderburn
has these medals for sale. The Masons
and hremen of Virginia have endorsed
the movement. and 1t is hoped that a
generous public approaching the great
work of Washington in his civic ca
pacity will assist in building this the
only monument to his memory as a
civilian. Mr.. Wedderburn hopes TO as
sist measurably in securing funds by
the sale of lots surrounding the park
and statue.
A splendid conception is what has
been termed Mount Vernon Avenue II
is proposed TO begin this avenue or
boulevard at the Capitol building. in
Washington, thence leading down
through the Mall and over the Memo
rial Bridge, passing Arlington, through
the counties of Alexandria and Fairfax,
oil nj nd tyol q
for miles in full panoramic view Of
Washington and its magnificent build
ings; through Alexandria, across Hunt
ing Creek, over another Memorial
Bridge to the memory OF Lafayette, De
Kalb, Rochambeau and the other dis
tinguished French soldiers and sailors
who aided our fathers in the Revolution.
thence through what was originally a
part OF Mt. Vernon estate to the home
and tomb OF Washington.
This highway, some seventeen miles
In length and ESQ feet wide, divided
into sections. one for each State, on
which are to be built by the different
States permanent buildings in which
the products of each can be shown,
together with a topographic map of
each, statues and monuments to
its distinguished sons. with trees and
flowers indigenous to the State, descrip-
tive matter as to manufacturing. min
ing. agriculture-in short everything
that can advertise to the world the
greatness of our country and the ad-
vantages presented by each one OF the
numerous Commonwealth that consti-
tute the American Union will thus be
presented.
In short, as stated by M. B. Harlow,
the originator of the idea. 1t will be an
Apian Way and a Westminster Abbey
combined.
When this great highway is built 1t
will be one of the worlds wonders. An
elaborate report was made by Col Peter
c. Hams an Army engineer, to the Sec
rotary of War, in which the project was
most heartily endorsed. He declared 1t
a monumental work. patriotic and edu-
cational, and the question Of cost
should be of secondary consideration"
Alexandria has access now by boat
and car at trifiing cost to some Of the
most interesting and delightful points
OF interest in America.