Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-06
RESTORATION OF OLD FORTS
IN PARK DRIVE PROJECT BEGUN
De Russy Selected for Treatment First.
Some Sites Already Acquired-Nego-
tiations on for Others.

of Early's attack on Washington, and
was under fire until the commanding
officer of Union troops ordered him
out of danger. A large stone tablet
marks this spot, but only small
strip of ground is owned there When
the members Of the House and Senate
committees on appropriations In
charge Of the District appropriation
bill made a trip there last year, they
suggested that about a half a block
of land more should be acquired to
give this site a proper set off, and the
city planners have included such a
plot on the list of lands to be early
purchased.
The drive then proceeds across
Georgia avenue to a point near
Kansas avenue, where the Govern
ment has just purchased the large
plot Of land which was Fort Slocum.
A similarly large tract is to be &C.
CURED at the site of Fort Totten, Just
south and east OF the former, and here
the old earthworks are practically in
tact, except hidden 20 some extent by
scrub growth of trees and under
brush.
Proceeds to Bladensburg.
The drive then proceeds across town
to Bladensburg road to the site of
Fort Lincoln, near the District line
and overlooking the Anacostia River,
and eventually Anacostia Park when
the improvement is carried above the
Benning Bridge.
From this point the drive will cross
the river and proceed to Forts Mahan,
Chaplin and Sedgwick, on either side
of the line OF East Capitol street,
when that thoroughfare is extended.
However, only Forts Mahan and
Chaplin have been selected for ac-
quirement. Fort Sedgwick is left out
of the list for some unexplained rea-
son, although the old breastworlSs are
visible there, and 1t furnishes a com.
manding view of the AnacoStia River
channel and valley Efforts now are
being made to interest the Govern.
ment in the purchase Of this tract
also, and it is understood that it has
been offered at a. comparatively cheap
price, being, as 1t is now, in an un-
developed section. However, like all
other plots, the advance of building
may wipe 1t out at any time.
The drive then proceeds by way of
Benning road and Alabama avenue
the latter the thoroughfare to lower
Maryland points, to Forts Dupont and
Davis, mentioned above, and follow.
ing this thoroughfare westward to
Fort Baker and Fort Wagner, com.
manding a view Of the city to the
west and the Maryland approaches to
the east, situated as they are on the
great ridge in the eastern section OF
the city. These two forts are In a
proposed parkway to be acquired in
that section.
Fort Stanton Acquired.
Fort Stanton, In Anacostia, and
overlooking the river, has been ac-
Quired, while Fort Snyder is located
in the southeast corner of st. Eliza
beth's Hospital, already Government
owned.
The last two on the list are Forts
Carroll and Greble, on the road to
Blue Plains, the District poor farm,
and both furnish a commanding view
of the Potomac. These latter are
not separate projects, but are in
cluded in parkway proposed between
st. Elizabeth's Hospital and the Blue
Plains farm, which is on the list to
he aCuIIired as soon as poSGihle