Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-26
Terrace Heights, Historic Mansion, Is Sold
Mrs. J. Borden Harrima an
to Remodel Landmark.
as Residence.
COMMANDS VIEW
OF POTOMAC RIVER
House at Reservoir Road
and Reservoir Street
Visited by Wilson.

| One of the old residential landmarks
in the District and one that abounds ir
historic interest, Terrace Heights, the
four-story colonial house standing or
! the commanding elevation on Ridge
road at Reservoir street, between Fox
hall Village and Wesley Heights, has
been purchased by Mrs. j. Borden
Hartman, it was announced today by
Boss g. Phelps, which handled the
transaction.
The old mansion, it is stated will be
modernized and otherwise remodeleo
as the future residence OF the new
owner. The property, formerly parl
of the Lightfoot estate, was acquired
from Arthur D. Hancock.
From its high elevation, the house
commands a view down the Potomac
River and a wide sweep of the central
part of the city as well. 1t Is reported
on good authority that President
Wilson. just before his term OF ONCE
expired, entered tentative negotiations
for the purchase of the property and
placed a deposit for it's acquisition, but
| the transaction was not conSummated
Visited by Wilson.
It is said that President Wilson
frequently visited the place to enjoy
the distant view down the river from
lUS W1ue pOTCIlcS.
The original structure, later enlarged
and remodeled, was built of brick that
came to this country from England in
ship as ballast about 1774, about the
time that John Foxall came to this
country from England and built the old
Foxall Foundry west of Georgetown,
now the site of Foxhall Village.
Earlier, about 1860 or 1861, it is re-
ported by an interested party, the site
of the home was occupied by the heavy
Maine artillery constituting one of the
chain of batteries that guarded the
Capital during the internecine strife.
This was known as Battery Cameron.
Terraces then were built by the Govern
ment to support the big guns employed
during the Civil War. Along the front
was the hospital where injured COM
batants from the State of Maine, after
the Battle of the Wilderness, were
brought and where they established a
headquarters.
On an adjoining place, the account
continues, lived Marion and John
came here to see their relatives in the
wartime hospital. One Of these visitors
was Lucy Wepley, who had four uncles
in the Battle of the Wilderness. Here
she is reported to have met John Light
foot and out ftheir acquaintanceship
grew a courtship eliminating later in
their marriage.
Bought From Government.
John Lightfoot bought the property
from the Government in memory of the
Maine soldiers who lost their lives in
the Battle of the Wilderness.
An interesting sidelight in the &C
count is that during the first year MIR.
and Mrs. Lightfoot were living in the
dwelling, called Terrace Heights, a
severe storm carried away the roof.
Thereupon, it was determined to build
roof that would resist even ire
mendous wind storm. So, departing
from the colonial architecture of the
original place, a slate roof of excep-
tional depth and weight was affixed
to the structure.
It was II years after the close of the
Civil War when the Government re-
moved the guns from their mountings
on the property, it is reported. The
battery. while not used in active en-
gagement, was employed in firing
salutes in celebration of the close of
the war
The property consists of nearly 10
acres af land. 1t has a frontage of
1880 feet on Reservoir road and like
amount on Ridge road.