Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-22


gerStown, Md. approximately
160 miles for the round trip,
which can easily be completed in day,
provided an early start is made The
scenery is attractive and the roads for
the greater portion of the distance in
splendid condition for motoring. The road
goes over a couple of mountain ranges of
medium height, from the SUBMITS of
which views of the surrounding country
are commanded. This is particularly true
of Frederick and Middletown valleys,
which extend as far as the eye can see
from the top of the range at BraddOck
Heights. There is some stiff climbing at
times, but such rarely bothers the motor
list. portion of the route is over the
Baltimore Hagerstown turnpike, which
was recently purchased by the state of
Mary land. The tollgates have been abol-
| ished which affords the motoriSt addi-
| tional pleasure in that he is not required
| to stop and pay toll every few miles.
| The macadamiZing of a number of the
highways and byways in the state is be-
| ing rapidly pushed and a section of the
route given herewith is over some of
| these new roads Taken as a whole, the
roads the entire distance are in good con-
dition, although here and there will be
| found rough spots, which naturally make
riding uncomfortable for the time being.
< x X X
The route from this city is out Con-
necticut avenue extended, which is al
ways in excellent condition for motoring,
| to Bradley lane. Between the District
line and this point, however, the road
is in an unusually bad condition, for
road workers are at work. Before long
this stretch will be ideal. Turning to the
left at Bradley lane, the road leads short
distance, connecting with the Rockville
road, where a sharp turn is made to the
right This highway is followed in a
northerly direction and passes through
the main street of Rockville, Md, the
county seat of Montgomery county. At
the top of the grade the street cars are
left behind, and, turning again to the
right the fine macadam roadway is fol-
lowed in the direction of Washington
Grove. During the past summer the
road supervisors have been steadily at
work, and the macadam road has been
extended almost to GaitherSburg. Just
before reaching the Grove the macadam
| highway connects with red clay road,
| which is followed for a short distance
and brings the motorist into Washington
Grove, about twenty miles from Washing
ton, and situated on the Baltimore and
| Ohio railroad. Turning to the right
across the wooden bridge over the rail-
road tracks, a sharp turn is made to the
right on to another good macadam
stretch. The road to the left at this
| point leads to Gaithersburg Nd. The
motorist soon passes through the little
town of Laytonsville. After motoring
a short distance road on the opposite
| side of the town is then taken to the
right and the machine headed for DamaS-
Gus about eight miles away. In the
vicinity of Damascus more road improve
mentS have been under way during the
past season, and the remainder of the
distance into Ridsevlle is quickly ne
| gotiated. Ridgevile is about four miles
| from Damascus and forty miles from the
| National Capital. and one of the most
popular runs during the winter months
when the motorist does not desire to
take a long trip.
| * =: x =
At Ridgeville what is known the
Frederick pike is followed. The road
| is a well constructed pike, and is the
main Travelled road in that section be-
tween Ridgeville and Frederick, there
being no danger of getting off the road.
After going about six miles. New Mar
ket is reached, directly on the pike.
Signs are posted there, as on the out
skirts of all of the towns passed en-
route, and motorists are advised to
abide by the speed regulations at all
times. The next stop is Frederick,
eight miles beyond New Market, reached
over the same road. with rough
descent at jug Bridge, short distance
out from the town, at the Monocacy
| river. Arriving via East Patrick street
the motorist passes directly through the
| town and out West Patrick street to
what is known as Telegraph HILL" so
called by reason of the numerous tele
graph poles. Taking the right fork, the
| trip is continued over another macadam
road, and after motoring few miles
the ascent of Braddock Heights is COM
menced. A short stop should be made
at the summit of the mountain, in order
that the scenery may be viewed from
this high altitude. The descent is then
made down the other side into Middle
town valley. in which is situated one
of the most attractive villages on the
days run, that of Middletown, after
which the valley is named 1t has
more the appearance of being a sum-
mer resort. its neatly painted homes
and we'll kept lawns always standing
out in strong contrast to the massive
mountains surrounding the town. Just
beyond is located the power plant, which
supplies electricity for the electric
railway, which runs over the mountain
ranges and the towns in that vicinity.
x 4 *
The same road is followed after leaving
Middletown and leads over another steep
mountain range. known as South noun
tain Along the roadside on the summit
of this range will be found e number of
steel plates describing III detail the
movements of troops and sk1rmlshes IN
the surrounding country during the civil
war The descent on the opposite side is
equally lengthy if not more so than the
mountain range previously crossed. An
other run of a few miles and the historic
town or BOOnSDOrO is reached HIS toNi,
like many of the others, is directly on the
road, the homes of its residents lining the
thoroughfare for some distance. The
country continues rolling from here until
Hagerstown is reached, about ten miles
beyond. The last town of importance
before reaching HagerstoWn is Funks-
town, where another fine stretch of mac
adam leads the remainder of the way.
Passing through the main street of the
town, turn right at the extreme end OF the
town follow the railroad tracks and cross
over a large cement viaduct. There are
several routes to Frederick, any one OF
which can be taken, but the one given
in this article eliminates the steep grades
and rough going at Hyattstown, which
prove so Objectionable to motorists by
reason of their dangerous character. The
remainder of the distance, however, from
Frederick to Hagerstown is over one
route-the main highway between Balti-
more and Hagerstown.
Some of the towns passed en- route. to-
gether with the distances are as follows
| Start Point TO point. Total.
Washington to Rockville. 100 To-,
Washington Grove. rs -
TaytonsyiIIe " So 26.5
Danascus ........ 10 34.1
Ridgeville .-...-..- o-O ~ ~
Fredarick ...... 10 $40
Rraddock Heights o2 o94