Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-16
POINTING OUT new
SITES FOR HOMES
Commission of Fine Arts
Would RehabiIitate Historic
Sections of City.
AS RESIDENTIAL .CENTERs

for the last few days. has settled in
formally upon a policy which may oc-
casion considerable surprise.
Determined to avoid the conditions
which now tend to drive new residents
toward and into Maryland and Virginia
IL they would occupy small homes. the
commission Is seeking to rehabilitate
the historic sections OF Southeast and
Southwest Washington as residential
centers
Some of the projected developments
of the Capital city fit into this plan.
notably the proposed Improvements on
the north side Of Washington channel
toward the navy yard. the Anacostta
river parking scheme and the recreation
facilities to be established in East
Potomac Park. VA new feature which
will exert an additional pull, decided
upon in the last few days. Is the de-
termination to urge the conversion OF
Canal street and the old James Creek
canal into a boulevard.
Widest In the District.
Canal street, and not Pennsylvania
avenue. as is generally supposed, Is the
widest thoroughfare in the District.
Canal street starts at Sd street and
Maryland avenue southeast and runs
south to Garfield Park. where the route
of the old canal affords a logical con-
tinuation of the proposed boulevard
down to the eastern boundary of the
Army War College and Engineer
School. All the land along this route
Is owned by the government. hence the
Improvement would entail only the cost
of paving the highway.
Clarence Moore of Detroit. chairman
of the Fine Arts Commission. is firm
believer In the future development of
Formerly some of the finest homes of
Washington were located there, then
the tide Of improvement shifted to the
northwest, and these sections, beside
built homes along older architectural
lines. also were neglected in respect
to parking.
Foresees Improvement.
Mr. Moore now believes those sec
tions will pass through a transition.
when the old homes may be used for
boarding houses for a time, then they
will be torn down and give way to rows
of small homes. easily within the rental
capacity of many Of Washington's new
er residents. The other prohlem. that
Of giving the Inhabitants breathing
space and recreation opportunities
will be taken care of by the park plans
mentioned.
1t will be noted that the East Poto-
mac Park Is most accessible to the
southwest section, just across Wash
ington channel, on which 1t is expected
mis- courts. ball fields and other
amusements are ready. and a munich
pal ferry Is to be run across to the new
field house, now being constructed.
1t was pointed out that this tendency
toward the south already is indicated
by the large number of employees of
the Department of Agriculture who are
living in the streets south Of the de-
partment's group of buildings. Rows
of new homes also have been built in
sighted real estate men who realized
what the Improvements already an
nounced would mean to that part Of
the city.
Anacostia Likely to Benefit.
Nor Is the older section Of the south
east and the southwest the only place
where the newcomer in Washington Of
he future may expect to find a home
along the Anacostia river
point to Anacostia, where there is high
land and picturesque scenery, including
excellent views of the river. being a
more thriving part of the city. with
better f. facilities for transportation.
In still another direction Mr.. Moore
sees big opportunities for small home
building. under most favorable condi-
tions. and that Is in the territory in
and about Benning. The project to be
urged by the commission Of acquiring
Mount Hamilton. opposite Mount Olivet
for the Botanical Gardens,
and making a boulevard leading from
Maryland avenue northeast around
these gardens. along the Anacostia
again at 18th street northeast, is re-
garded as the principal factor which
will make Benning a highly desirable
In these plans the steady develop
nent of the northwest section has not
been lost sight Of 1t is considered that
is more likely to care for itself, as 1t
is now the region in which most real
estate improvement Is being pushed
Every effort will be made to have the
new streets opened for building con-
form to the general plan of the city,
that the gridiron system of
laying out streets will be superimposed
wholly on this territory.
Effect Of Rigid Development.
Such a rigid development would re-
suit in cutting down hills which are
now beauty spots. and filling up val
eys which add to the desirable undula-
ions in the outlying regions. Instead
he restoration of many old roads.
" hich follow natuyal routes of inter-
course and pass many historic sites, Is
This policy already is being
to some extent. But 1t has
been interfered with in some cases by
activities Of real estate men who
bought land for subdivisions. and laid
t out without any intsroostsion on the
,art of the government. along the
ines they believed best.
West of Rock Creek Park lay a num-
yer of these old roads. sometimes wind
ng. fact which encourages the build
ng of detached homes. and always
beautiful. Such are Foxall road, New
Tut road. Chian Bridge road. Military
Dad. Klingle Ford road, Wisconsin
venue, River road. Pierce Mill road,
road and Grant road.
In the section east Of Rock Creek
park are Blair road, Riggs road, Queens
,hapel road. Spring road, Sligo road,
Brentwood road, Bladensburg road and
Bunker Hill road.
Numerous and Adaptable.
Especially numerous and adaptable
re such roads in the Anacostia section. |
including Anacostia road, Ridge road. |
;ood Hope road. Wheeler road, BenntnR
Confra1 avanna uop,t1t4-