The Washington herald., 1909-10-17


Growth Has Been Continuous.
The development OF Connecticut avenue
and the territory adjoining, first within
the old city boundaries and afterward
along the avenue extended 10 the District
line and beyond, has been continuous for
more than twenty-five years. Moreover.
II has been the most noteworthy and
successful series OF ventures IN real estate
Of any in Washington
The early grasping OF the idea that the
city would inevitably move In that direc-
ton. which led 10 the government pur-
chase Of the Zoo Park and afterward OF
the Rock Creek Park. and the construc-
ton OF the car lines into that territory,
IS one Of the great facts I'm the history
OF Washington. The courage Of the frsc
land company which took up the develop
ment Of this thOrOughfare flanked It with
costly residences and sold them TO ven
turesome buyers. was almost prophetic in
its conviction based upon the conditions
which then existed. But as the years un-
rolled the movement OF the population
out toward the parks. and with the open
ing Of the car lines TO the region beyond.
went forward with increasing momentum.
Chevy Chase Bold Move.
Then came the Chevy Chase develop
ment just over the District line in Mary
land, one Of the boldest real estate moves
in the history Of the city The founders
Of that subdivision fCresaw the result Of
twenty years growth in the advance Of
the city northwestward. and we're con-
tent to wait for their profits. Then came
the establishment Of Cleveland Park.
which gave to the whole region north
Of Rock Creek a vigorous boost through
the faith shown by President Cleveland
and his associates IN Office IN land values
at Red Top at that early day.
Smaller and larger subdivisions have
followed, until the whole available ter
ritory on both sides Of Connecticut ave-
nue. is fianked by real estate signs which
point the way 10 home sites 70 every
person who rides over the much Travelled
avenue Even beyond Chevy Chase, on
out into Maryland % Kensinston. the
work Of the real estate man never ceases.
In the twenty-odd years that Chevy
Chase has been growing into a sub
stantal suburban town. many fine resi-
dences have been erected there by men
OF wealth. and Chevy Chase is to-day
possibly the nearest approach 10 a mil
lionaire's community the city Of Wash
iugton has.
Car Line n Factor.
The real secret OF the development Of
Chevy Chase and the territory between
It and the city is undoubtedly the Cap
ital Traction car service. The argument
IS clear that when the right kind OF
transportation is furnished in a growing
city che outside territory through which
the car service runs viii rapidly de-
velop. natural conditions being favorable
II may be fairly said that the far-seeing
policy Of this car company in providing
the transit in advance OF the actual
needs Of the region IS the chief factor
I'm the growth OF the whole Connecticut
avenue region
Within the past three years the advance
Of the section Just beyond Rock Creek
has received large impetus through the
construction OF the new bridge across
Rock Creek valley. There was perhaps
no reason In the nature OF things why |
this should be so. beyond the moe d. /
rect communication which the bridge I
gives between the city and the avenue
extended a. automobilists and drivers |
Yet the bridge Is one OF rare beauty and |
proportions, IN keeping with the fine nat /
ural surroundings. and fits into the gen
eral scheme OF development Of which the /
parks. the extended avenue. and the car
lines are part.
Bridge Completes n Plan.
The bridge is the elimination of costly |
improvements Of public and semi-public |
character, which have been going on for |
twenty-five years. Since the completion |
OF the bridge, land values Just beyond
Rock Creek have advanced considerably. |
many fine residences have been erected !
there and the continuity Of the fine prop
erty Improvement which marked the /
early growth of Connecticut avenue with /
in the old city boundaries.
Under the conditions thus provided 4
there seems no limit 10 the expansion OF /
the city along the line OF Connecticut 4
avenue The region between Rock Creek
and Chevy Chase is changing into a 1
thickly settled district with amazing /
rapidity. Ten years from now apparently /
the whole stretch of vacant land ont
there viii be filed with houses on both I.
sides OF the avenue clean 70 the circle.
There stands Chevy Chase, with its TWEEN
~ years Of growth. fits substantial houses.
well shaded streets and lawns surround
ing the homes Of wealthy people
FavOrs High Class Houses.
Better still. the traditions OF the whole
region are favorable to high-cIass devel
opment, which viii probably not be head /
ed by the short-sighted policy OF the spee-
ulative builder and real estate shark
who, in utter disregard OF any considera-
ton but immediate profits. sticks his I'M
slightly rows OF houses among the de-
tached and handsome houses OF people
who would build up the suburbs more
beautifully. II more slowly Other things
being equal. the Connecticut avenue Sec
ton gives promise OF being for all time
10 come the most attractive suburban
section Of our fair city.
Beyond Chevy Chase, out many miles
into Maryland, the fine rolling land. high
above the fOgs and miasma OF the river.
continues, and IL viii be only the short
sighted policy Of the Spectator in land
and buildings which can mar the contin-
uous expansion Of the city along broad
lines in that direction.
Northwest Dwelling Sold.