The Washington herald., 1922-05-21

The Anacostia Citizens Associa-
ton was organized about 1882. Prior
to organization of the association
there had been community and in
dividual activity with a single pur-
pose in view-higher community
and social standards.
Among the early pioneers in in
dividual effort was the late DR..
Charles H. Nichols. the first super
Intendent of the Government Hos
pital for the Insane, to whose
efforts is due the present highway
extending from the south approach
to the Eleventh Street Bridge
through Anacostia and Congress
Heights into Southern Maryland. In
honor of this early pioneer this
highway was named Nichols ave-
nue..
Organized by III. A. Linger.
The late II. A. Linger, mattress
manufacturer, organized the frs,
civic body in Anacostia-the Ana
costa Citizens Association. From
this early date to the present time.
with the exception of a few short
lapses, there has been an organized
NANAS OOuy III <ALdSOSNid
meeting place of the association
was in what was then the police
station. which was housed in a one
story rented building on Good Hope
road between Thirteenth street and
Nichols avenue.
Urged Home Ownership.
Associated with Mr.. Linger in
this cary effort for community bet
terment were DR.. A. NJ. Green. c. F.
watson, william J. I.atimer, ST., DR..
william l.. White. John Mclean,
James Hawley, Rev. James Nc
Laren, S. NJ Golden, A. L. Etzler,
Howard Jordon, George F. Pyles,
David Haines, Thomas Anderson,
Rev. w. G. Davenport, Edward Min
nix, James A. Beall, ]. c. Leonard
and others. Both Mr.. Linger and
DIR. Green were pioneers in modern
home construction, and early tried
to instill into the people of Ana
costa the desirability of home
ownership. This idea seems to have
come down through the associa-
ton to the present day SO that it
may be said that practically every
resident of Anacostia owns his
home and that these homes are 30
per cent free from Indebtedness.
Formed Car Company.
Another pioneer in Anacostia
was the late Henry A. Griswold,
who in 1875 obtained from Con-
gress a charter for the first street
railway to cross the Anacostia
River. This early horse-car line
extended from Eighth and NJ streets
southeast to the foot of what is
now known as Asylum Hill. Later
this line was extended to run from
Anacostia to Ninth and B streets
northwest. In his early efforts for
street car service between Ana
costa and the city proper Mr.. Girls
void was assisted by the late DIR.
Arthur c. Christie, whose estate,
"Fairlawn," with it's bear pits,
'trutting peacocks. and kennels,
was one of the show places in
Anacostia in the early days. Mr..
Griswold was also a pioneer in
modern home building and added to
Anacostia that beautiful section
known as "Griswolds Addition to
Anacostia."
Sought Modernized Service.
In 1895 determined movement was
Launched Tor more modernized car
service, and as the old association
had ceased to function, a new drive
was, started. This was headed by DR..
Geo. c. Havenner. In his work DR..
Havenner was assisted by the late
Mr.. and Mrs. Eaton, Thomas Gray.
James Heating, w. C. Van Hoy,
VIM. Peck, r. v. Buckley and others.
Mrs. Eaton was an indefatigable
MARIAN In the o0onrioff4r'o sAAA &c
to obtain a charter for an electric |
street car line between Anacostia and
the city proper. She was probably |
The first woman member of an organ
lied citizens association in the Dis
trict of Columbia.
The first charter for an electric |
street railway to operate in the terri |
tory south of the Anacostia River
was granted by Congress to the |