Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1915-12-14
MURRAY HILL
25YEARSOLD TOMORROW
Founded by Mr.. George 7. Melvin
Then 'Fenced-In" Farm
Land, Now the Best.
RESIDEN iAL SECTION.
The Home of Naval Officers, Retired
and in Active Service State
Officials and Prominent
Citizens.

Twenty-Five years ago, Murray Hill.
the now populous and beautiful resi-
dence section of Annapolis. was ''fenc-
ed-in" farm land. To the enterprise
and energy of Mr.. George T. Melvin the
city owes the development of this fine
area, crowned with modern homes and
adding so greatly to the attractiveness
of the municipality. Foreseeing the
need in coming years OF residential
expansion in Annapolis, he planned
and provided this magnificent addition
to the city
December 10, 1890. is the date to
which this notable work of Mr. Melvin
for the growth and welfare of the
community dates back. Wednesday
tomorrow, is the anniversary of the
execution of the contract which gave
him the management and control for
purposes of development and sale" of
the fields of the Murray estate. When
he conceived and made known the pro
iect its ultimate development was little
realized by the Annapolis of 1890
That Murray Hill should, within a
quarter of a century. be the site of
nearly three hundred homes a popula-
ton of nearly a thousand. adding. in
various ways, perhaps we'll on to
million dollars to, the taxable basis of
the city and county, was not then
dreamed of, save in the busy brain of
its constructor.
Beginning his work in December.
1890, Mr. Melvin first extended Frank
lin street eastward to Spa creek He
had nearly seventy-five acres to be de-
veloped, and this was laid out in build
ing lots, with wide streets and aven-
ues. Trees were planted, and some of
those along Franklin street, which he
set out twenty-five years ago. now
measure two and a-half feet in diam
eter. The tract was a part of the
Acton" estate of the late James Muir
ray, and the Murray heirs who were
parties to the contract with Mr. Melvin
were Pay Director James ID. Murray. of
Acton" Miss Keturah Murray. Mr..
Nevett Steele, DR.. John NJ Steele and
Mrs. Charlotte r .Cheston. 1t ran west
to the Bay Ridge railroad, was bounded
on the south by Spa Creek and the
Acton" homestead, on the east by Ac-
ton and Spa Greek, and on the north by
the old Franklin estate and West street
The first Annapolitan to buy lot
and build a residence on Murray Hill
was the late Rev. Dr. William Scott
Southgate, rector OF St. Anne's. who
constructed the fine home at Frank
lin street and Southgate avenue, now
owned by Mrs. John e. Walk. He was
followed by Mr. Nevett Steele, the late
Mr.. Samuel Brooke, Mr. Joseph w.
Duvall, DR.. Samuel Garner and others.
Today Murray Hill is the home of many
prominent citizens naval officers,
state officials, business men and social
leaders.
How Murray Hill looked to its found
er quarter of a century ago may be
gathered from few sentences from
the prospectus which he issued at the
time:
Murray Hill almost adjoins the cen
ter of the city proper, Church Circle is
only two blocks distant, where St
Anne's Church is situated also the
Farmers National Bank. the Court
House. the Maryland Hotel, and the
Governors Mansion Adjacent to these
are some Of the leading stores and
business places of the city, and the
State House. Murray Hill owners
are on the salt water. Spa Creek
sweeps around and alongside the prop
erty, beautiful sheet of water for
rowing and sailing. Distant only a few
minutes sail is the broad and beautiful
Severn river. which in turn leads to the
Chesapeake Bay. From the sum
nit of the tract the harbor OF Annap-
oils and contiguous waters of the bay
are in full view This plateau is about
on a level with State House hill, the
very highest point in Annapolis. and
slopes down to the waters Of the Spa
creek, about half mile from its juno
tion with the Severn
The nearness of two railroad sta
and electric light service are also set
and electric light service are also set
out
Mr.. Melvin had the property in hand
for ten years and in that time had
thoroughly developed it and brought
il to the attention of prospective pur-
chasers. 1t was well covered with
handsome residences and supplied
with public utilities when his original
connection with il ended. under the
contract terms.
Murray Hill has two miles of streets
and about four miles of lot frontage
Franklin street. opened BY Mr.. Melvin
from Cathedral, Murray avenue. South
gate avenue and Second street, are its
chief thoroughfares, all of pleasing
width, finely shaded, with concrete
walks and cutters and macadam paw
ing. Shrubbery, foilags and flowers
make Murray Hill an earthly paradise
ID summer, and its eyergreens give
it a most pleasing aspect in winter.
Among its comfortable and commod-
ious residences are many of the most
graceful and bsst types OF srchitec-