Evening star., 1925-11-29

~ itlfl lIN' htN llpit VI ii'
sress' forward march, a melting pot
Of democracy, with n background rich
~ historical lore. iS close to the van
ii 3n"ng Washington suburbs.
Every once in 50 often YOU VIII
hear about some new kink of com
muuity effort which has been fostered
out TakOma way, or YOU VIII motor
Through the Park and marvel al its
uniformity Of paintings. the diversity
of it's flowers and ornamentals, the
'get together" spilii of its inhabitants,
and the salient "homineSS' of its
houses and grounds.
You never hear of community enter
prises titering into failures. Tako-
mans put across what they attempt
with confideu; assurance. And they
attempt things which the average
suburban community would sldeStep
as impossible Cr impractical
All of which goes 20 illustrate what
adequate organization can effect in
suburb development and management.
There are thous1 ndS of other commun-
it,es in this country which have had
similar opportunities TO make the
most of themselves. Many have neg
: leCted to capitalize their local COM
nunity assets ana advantages. \
few. like Takuma Park. have made
The mos o. their hirthrights. and
natural gifts.
Takoma Park has celebrated forty
'Cne birthdays. Less than genera
tioU ago. - Wilderness of woodlands
occupied the suburbs site. Two cen
furies ago. primitive Indians of the
Aualostan and related tribes raised
their tepeeS, iindled their camptires
and staged their dances within the
current residential borders of what is
nov a most remarkable community.
The inviting Takoma Park spring,
which provides pure water for the
paSserby. was once the bubble foun-
tain of redskins. Arrow heads and
stone spear heads in number have
been found in the neiShborhood of
1his spring. whose waters analyze so
satisfactorily for the use of mankind.
This remarkable spring has been in
use since colonial days, when the tract
which is now the District of Columbia
was only a small part of Charles
Country.
In geographical situation Takoma
Park is as unusual as the accomplish
menIs of her united citizens. Curl
ous to tell. this is a community of at
least threefod political affiliations
The geographical boundaries of Tako-
ma include extensive tracts in the
District OF Columbus and Montgomery
and Prince Georges Counties. Md.
II X only the more astonishing
that the community spirit is so
centralized and united in view of this
variation in political units. The Prince
Georges County line; in fact, bisects
the notable Takoma Park spring
while the Montgomery border extends
I" within "A block of the Takoma SAM
.arum. Naturally. when citizens
associations were formed. some atten-
Ti"n was paid To GeOgraphy's trick in
stallin: out tho suburb.
x = = K
DESCENDANTS of the famous Car
roll family OF Maryland one of
whose members was among thes first
10 sign the Declaration of Independ-
enrP, were early settlers in Takoma
Park. They maintained there a, large
estate with Carroll Manor, a fine
colonial type of home, a center of
countryside popularity. Only recently
has the original Carroll tract been
suhdivided. Bungalows, homes and
residences for Washington business
folks are now being built there.
When L. f. Gilbert, the founder
of Takoma Park first visited that
reiGhborhOod there were only two
other houses in addition to Carroll
NJ nor within q radius of several
miles. y forest of oak, pine, popular,
chestnut and hickory possessed the
J'i' III = tON II site ne OlllliS DlIS,
tho abundance of trees and the ready
accessibility To the National Capital
convinced Mr.. Gilbert of the desir-
hlility of developing n new suburb
lie was one who lived in his own
subdivision. for the first thing he did
vas to build a house for the use Of
hie family.
1t was in 1885, that the new town
began. Mr.. Gilbert had 4 gang of work
mo- hull u y
IN dimension. with q siXty-foot tower.
BTor many years this unique structure
was the rallyinG point and community
rnnter of TakOma Park. Later 1t
was used as the first fire engine
house.
The tower was subsequently very
popular. as from its tiptop observa
t.on booth one had fine view of the
surrounding country. 1t aided in the
sale of lots, for prospective purchasers
could gain a good idea of the section
from this elevated balcony. 1t was
illuminated with electric lights at
night and was landmark of country
side Importance. Electricity? Wash
ington' earliest inha bitants may rise
to n point of order when they read
this and state that Washington had
10 eleCtric-light system in those early
DAYS. True enough, but Takoma Park
ehout Montgomery Countys first
electrical system.
Mayhap. YOU have heard about the
historic old mill out in Takoma Park.
still eXtant as one of history's earliest
calling cards in that section. Wild
rumor has it that this mill was con
structed of brick imported from Eng
. land during reRevolutionary days.
There Is no foundation for such
n f,f+ hn y,opf ftn,- is
that the mill was built long before
PoSton celebrated her first civic tea
party. But is was built of Maryland
brick, made in a local kiln close to
where the ruins of the mill stand to-
day.
For many years, the grist mill, with
Its ponderous water wheel, was a
hub Of food production activities in
Montgomery and Prince Georges Coun-
ties. Wheat growers for miles around
brought their grain to a mill whose
wheel was turned by the surging
water of Sligo Creek, which was
named by Maj. O'Driscoll. an early
settler. in honor of Sligo County, Ire
land. his birthplace.
When Mr.. Gilbert inaugurated the
development of Takoma Park, he re-
habtlitated the venerable mill, which
had run down at the heels through
feslect. He revamped the ancient
water wheel and harnessed its power
FOR the production of electrical energy
with which to illuminate the new
suburb. Thus il came to pass that
Takoma Park read by electricity while
Washingtonians were still using oil
lamps.
TAKOMA PARK? A queer name
II