Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-09
PARK IN EARLY DAYS
Beauties of Rock Creek Half
a Century Gone.
FIRST MOVE TO IMPROVE
Began With a Resolution Adopted
in Congress in 1866.
MICHLER'S GLOWING REPORT
Beauties of the Site Pointed Out in
Picturesque Language and Its
Possibilities Exploited.
MICHLER'S GLOWING REPORT

. History is repeating itself.
The present-day advocates of the prof
ect for popularizing Rock Creek Park
are quoting the voices of the past that
were raised in favor of the creation of a
beautiful natural park in Rock Creek val
ley. William Y. Cox, president OF the
Second National Bank. more than eight
years ago in an argument submitted TO
Congress and: printed for use of the
committee" in behalf of the park plan.
said:
The first mention in legislative records
that l find of any effort being made to
acquire ; national park in the District OF
Columbia was after the close of the civil
war in the Thirty-ninth Congress, when,
June n, 1866, the Hon. Benjamin Wade
of Ohio offered resolution instructins
the Senate committee on public buildings
and grounds to inquire into the expe-
diency of the United States acquiring the
title to the land between Maryland ave-
nue. and Pennsylvania avenue, east OF the
Capitol, to 10Th street. for the purpose OF
A national park. In which to erect he"
presidential mansion.
Among the prominent men of the past
who were ardent advocates of the Rock
Creek Park proposition. and VINO set
forth the advantages of the locality with
pen and voice, were Senators Luke +.
Poland, Benjamin Wade, Thomas A. Hen
bricks, b. Gratz Brown. Ingalls,. Beck and
Representatives Hemphill- Rowell and
others Prominent citizens who worked
hand In hand with the national legisia-
tors for the park project. as shown BY
Mr. Cox, were CROSBY 5. Moves. Cnaries
c. Glover. Ca'deron Carlisle j. NJ. john
son, Washington Mclean. S. H. kauf-
mann Gen. H. v. Boynton. Henry Wise
Garnett A. T. Britton. George E. Lemon,
Charles Nordhoff. B. H. Warner. Stilson
Hutchins, D. A. Richardson, NJ. NJ. Par
ker, Lewis J. Davis, Charles j. Bell, F. p.
b. sands, william c. Hill, Duncan S.
Walker, Q. c. Green. Hallett kilbourn,
James A. Bates, f. w. Fox, W. w. Cor
coran, Justice William Strong, Josiah
Dent and many others.
The Resolution of 1866.
Senator Luke P. Poland. June %. 1866.
submitted resolution to the Senate that
1.-THE committee on public buildings and
grounds be directed to inquire, whether a
tract of land of not less than $50 acres
adjoining or very near the city, can be
park and site for presidential mansion,
which shall combine convenience of ac-
cess. healthfulness. good water and capa-
biity of adornment.'
Senator Thomas A. Hendricks. mem
Der of the Senate committee on public
buildings and grounds. July Is, 1855, to
which the Poland resolution had been re-
ferred, made a report, and that commit
tee was empowered to employ practical
landscape gardener or typographical
engineer to examine different tracts or
land.
Maj. N. Michler of the Corps of Engi-
neers was selected for this work and
spent much time examining the various
sites offered the committee. He made
report January 20, 1867, giving maps OF
the Rock Creek region. proposing two
plans, one for park of $50 acres, the
other for one of / 800 acres. The report,
which William v. Cox declared to be ''as
picturesque as the Rock Creek valley of
which 1t treats will be of interest and
Importance to the present park projectors.
After treating of the Rock Creek valley
as the site for presidential mansion-''a
home for the President to which he can
retire from the active cares and bust
ness of his high office, aud where he can
secure that ease, comfort and secluson
so necessary to a stateman, away from
the constant turmoil of city life, at
such distance where his privacy cannot
easily be intrduded upon'-Maj. Michler
takes UP the park project Of 1865. He
said in part:
In the first place. let me consider the
subject of a pubic park. Where SO much
has been written on so interesting
d
park. and where the necessity of public
grounds. either for the sake of healthful
recreation and exercise for all classes of
society or for the qualification of their
tastes. whether for pleasure or curiosity.
has become apparent to every enlightened
community. it would seem to be UNI
necessary for me to dilate further upon
the matter. to say nothing of the natural
or artificial beauties which adorn the
park, and so cultivate an appreciative
a md ~af toe {,, l,oS tI.> 14ly
shades for the purpose of breathing the
free air of heaven and adniring nature
1T certainly is the most economical and
means Of providing all, old and
young, rich and poor. with the greatest
of all needs, healthful exercise in the
Proposed on Grand Scale.
ITO accomplish these ends there should
be a spaciousness in the extent of the
not merely possessing the ap-
pearance of a large domain, but in real
ity possessing many miles of drives and
rides and walks. all independent of each
other, and neither open or protected SO
as to be suitable for the different seasons.
There should be a variety of scenery
a happy combination of the beautiful and
the picturesque-the smooth plateau and
the gently undulatng glade vieing with
the ruggedness OF the rock ravine and
the fertile valley, the thickly- mantled
primeval forest contrasting with the
green lawn, grand old trees with flower
Ing shrubs. Wild. bold, rapid streams,
coursing their way along the entire
length and breadth of such scene would
not only lend enchantment to the view,
but add to the capabilities of adorn-
ment. While nature lavishly offers
of falls. cascades and rapids,
to greet the eye as the waters dash
through some romantic vale, the hand
of art can be used to transform them
into ponds and lakes as they gently
glide through the more peaceful valleys.
rendering them the means of
pleasure and recreation for boating or
skating.
What SO useful as an abundance Of
water the report continues. ''or so or
when converted into fountains
and jets to cool the heated atmosphere?
Ii furnishes. also. opportunities fo, the
engineer and artist to display their taste
in constructing ornamental and rustic
bridges to span the stream
THE valley of Rock Creek" Maj. Mich
ler added. occupies central position It
lies between the Tenleytown road on the
west, one of the most prominent thorough