Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-13
KAL0RAMA TRACT
HISTORY TRACED
Was Famous Section in the
Early Years of the Last
Century.
OCCUPIED BY SOLDIERS
DURING THE CIVIL WAR
Once the Property of Col. w. Au-
gustine Washington, Nephew of
First President.
BY JAMES CROGGON.

The contemplated Improvement of the
valley of Rock creek. between the Zoe
Park and Potomac Park, will lengther
the drives from the boundaries of the
District to a. point opposite the mouth OF
the Eastern branch and obliterate the
unsightly conditions about the creek be-
tween the city and Georgetown. But te
the minds of the few who knew the con
ditions three-fourths of a century ago, II
is doubtful if the hand of man can i'm
prove on the beauty of the scenery as il
existed in their boyhood.
This was when the section was at its
best, in the days of Scott, Barlow, Full
ton, Decatur, Baldwin, Bomford and
others.
Probably the most noted section above
the street bridge. east Of the creek, in
the early part of the last century, was
the Kalorama tract skirted by the old
stage road, now Florida avenue, the en-
trance gate thereto being where Massa-
chusetts avenue, 22d and r streets and
Florida avenue intersect. 1t bore the
name of Rock Hill in the beginning OF
the last century. but was changed to
creek were Parrots woods, known as a
place for holding Fourth of July cele-
brations and picnics. military encamp-
ments and outings, now the site OF Oak
Hill cemetery.
Tract Surveyed in 1857.
Widows Mite, out of which Kalorama
was carved, was surveyed for John
Langsworth, October 10, 1861, and granted
to William Langsworth in July. 1886. In
the eighteenth century Anthony Holmead
became proprietor. and in 1892 he convey
ed to Maj. Gustavus Scott the portion
bounding on the stage road, now FLORIDA
avenue. extending a short distance up
Rock creek-about thirty-three and half
acres. Maj. Scott was a man of means.
who then lived in Georgetown, was an
extensive landholder in Virginia and
Maryland, and was one of the commits
sioners laying out the seat of govern
ment.
In this tract there was Well-wooded
hill two hundred feet above sea level,
which afforded a fine view of the Rock
creek valley. the Potomac. Georgetown
and Alexandria, and here he built a home
naming the place Rock Hill. He occu-
pied the house only a few years, for he
died about 1900. He had sold two small
pieces of property a few years before
one to John Leland, on the creek above
where r street crosses, and another por-
ton, about one acre, at the intersection OF
P street near the creek On the former
track a griSt mill was erected, known
since the first quarter Of the century as
Lyons mill On the latter portion,
Georgetown side. was a paper mill erect
ed by Edgar Patterson The car stable
Of the Washington Railway and Electric
Company now occupies this site. This
mill was in operation for many years and
much Of the printing paper used by
the local newspapers of that day was
prepared here. 1t was a profitable en-
terprfse for years before the building
was destroyed by fire, which was many
years ago. 1t was connected with Wash
ington by a bridge, long known as the
paper mill bridge:
Sold to Presidents Nephew.
In September, 1903, the property was
sold to Col. W. Augustine Washington. a
nephew of the President, for $4,000. The
original price paid by Maj. Scott in 1892
was 1850 pounds. Col Washington lived
here a few years. and as may be i'm
agined, gathered about him many persons
of note. He died following a short resi-
dence in Georgetown at Charleston, S. c.,
in 1910.
Joseph Barlow who had for years been
"a leading man in this country, returned
from diplomatic service abroad and took
up his residence here in December, 1907
He had been a Congregational minister
who had served as chaplain in the Con-
tinental army, and was the author of a
number of patriotic songs. Later he was
in the book-selling business, in Hartford
Conn, where he published and edited the
American Mercury. He afterward studied
law. subsequently spending a time in
Europe as an agent of the Ohio Land
Company. where he induced a number of
French people to emigrate to that state.
where they founded Gallipolis. He
was later agent of the United States in
Algiers. and, returning to Paris. he met
Fulton, who was experimenting there
with submarine boats and torpedoes.
Fulton Among the Guests.
Mr. Fulton spent some time at Kalo-
rama. Mr.. Barlow also had as his guest
there Lieut.. (afterward COMMODORE De-
catur, who was fresh from his heroic
feats in the Mediterranean. President
Jefferson was often there. Here is where
Decatur made plans for his steamboat,
having a small one about twenty feet
long. Mr. Samuel Wells did the join
erS' work, and j. Colclaser and Richard
Jones the iron work. The boat was
launched in the mill dam, near the
creek, and a successful experiment made.
d. II. Latrobe. the architect of the Cap
itol, friend and guest, gave his serv-
the grounds laid out. The name Is fully
explained in letter written by Mr..
Barlow to Mr.. Jefferson, and in a letter
of December 10, 1907, to his nephew, in
which he writes: Il have here a most
delightful situation. 1t only wants i'm
provements as We contemplate to make it
a little paradise 1t is a beautiful hill,
about one mile from the Potomac, and
200 feet in elevation above t:dewater
Washington and Georgetown are under
our eyes, and Alexandria, eight miles be-
low, still in view; the Potomac to reflect
back the sun in million forms, and
losing himself among the hills that try
on each side to shove him from his
course.
l find the name of Belair has been
already given to many places in Mary
land and Virginia. SO by the advice of
friends We have changed it to one that
is quite new-Kalorama-from the
Greek, signifying fine view, and this
place presents one of the finest views
in America.
Barlow's Columbiad.
Mr.. Barlow was the author of the
"Columbiad, or Vision of Columbus"
written about 1900, in which he eau
tons: