Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-21
Old Arlington Spring.

OAu XAAAA6 VII Sp4AAS.
MOT many Sundays ago the Rambler
y strayed into the tangle of rank
growth around Arlington spring. He
wrote that ION the low. closely wooded
and vine-matted part of the Arlington
lands-those lands now occupied as ex-
pertinent gardens by the Department of
Agriculture-is famous spring. IT Is a
spring around which thousands of wash
ington people picnicked and frolicked
and relaxed long before the civil war and
when George Washington Parke Custis
owned Arlington. This spring was not
far off the old road which skirted the
river shore from the Long bridge and
then struck across field to the road lead
ing from Mason's ferry and later the
Aqueduct bridge TO Alexandria, the old
road which now passes along the eastern
gates of Arlington
That spring still flows and its water is
still agreeable. The spring is the source
of brook which flows through thicket
of willows laced through and through
with coral or trumpet honeysuckle.
The Rambler In those few idle moments
of the working newspaper man undertook
to get a glimpse at the activities OF
Washington which conferred around this
'4O's and sos it was the most popular
picnic ground in the environs Of Wash
ington. with the possible exception of
Analostan Island. But the year 1861
d tTdklC CIdHSe at ATllUS lOH
the year preceding. or 1860, may be taken
as a favorable one to show the happy
character of that resort, and, of course,
the summer of lS60-the time of pleas
ure outingS-ShOuld be chosen for the
purpose in mind.
At that time the longtime and hos
pitable proprietor. George Washington
Parke Custis, had not been dead quite
three years. This man was the grand son
Of Mrs George Washington and ward
and a0Opted son of George WASHINGTON
1t may mean most to many readers to
write that he was brother Of Nellie
Custis. He died at Arlington, October
10, 1857. His wife. Mary l.. Custis, had
in 1860 was the home of Robert E. Lee
and family. Mrs. Lee having been Mary
Ann Randolph Gusts. a daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. George Washington Parke Gus
tbs.
If you are to open the old files OF
Washington newspapers for references
to Arlington spring. begin in July and
look for Fourth of July celebrations.
The old and yellow advertisement fol-
lows:
"Ho. for Arlington The George
Washington Monumental Association
would respectfully announce to the
public that they will give a grand
Fourth of July celebration at Airing
ton Springs.
THE association pledge themselves
that good order will be preserved.
They also guarantee for their visitors
every comfort and pleasure. No eX-
ertion on their part will be spared to
make it agreeable to all who may
favor them with their presence.
.'Withers full brass band, twenty
seven pieces: Withers' string and wind
orchestra and the Monumental Glee
Club are to be among the attrac-
tons.
Federal salute at sunrise, alf-hour
guns during the day, national salute
at sunset and fireworks in the even
ing, besides a beautiful view of the
national fireworks at the Monument.
"All the delicacies Of the season will
be served up for dinner and supper.
Best quality Of refreshments at city
prices.
"Conveyances from the corner of eth
street hourly by stages commencing at
am, fare Is cents; from 18th street
bridge hourly, by the steamer George
w. Riggs, fare 10 cents: from the
Georgetown aqueduct by the steamer
Flying Cloud. fare Is cents for the
round trip. Admission to the GROUNDS:
Cards to gentlemen, SO cents; ladies,
children and servants free. BY order
committee of arrangements.
July IL, 1860, the National Guard Bat
talon of the District OF Columbia re
spectfully announce to their friends
and patrons that they propose giving