The Washington times., 1929-08-17

obtains an excellent view of some
OF the most important building de.
velopments Of the Capital and is
almost certain to be amazed at
the extensive apartment house con-
struction which is in progress.
Out by the Chevy Chase Club the
motorist cuts through Bradley Lane
to Wisconsin Avenue and then
turns north and passes through
Bethesda.
Over wonderful road the tourist
has now entered Maryland. The
roads will continue excellent through
out the tour. Maryland Is noted
for its excellent highways, and there
is not a stretch on this triangular
journey which needs improvement,
although in some places a wider
thoroughfare might be desired.
Passes Georgetown Prep
Out along the road as the tourist
moves on toward Rockville he passes
the beautiful grounds OF the George
town Preparatory School. On either
side Of the road are many beautiful
estates with their formal gardens
and landscape layouts. The tourist
should mark these places we'll sor
they will form an excellent contrast
to the natural scenes of beauty
which will be laid before him ere
he completes his trip.
II the motorist should decide to
leave the road and take to the air
no can do it by pulling up beside
the airport which lies between
Washington and Rockville. Here
several planes are waiting to soar
into the air with those who would
vary their Sunday motoring with a
flight.
Then on into old Rockville. one
OF the oldest communities in the
section, seat of Montgomery county.
and rich in historical lore.
The town is making great strides
forward now, being carried along
to a certain extent by the develop.
ment which is generally noticeable
In the Metropolitan area of the
Capital. Residents will point out
to the tourist with pride the site
OF the projected court house and
the other developments which are
expected to take place soon.
Washington's Gretna Green
To the Washingtonian. Rockville
Is known principally as the Cap.
taPs Gretna Green. To its ever.
willing marriage license clerk and
Its accommodating clergymen elop-
Ing couples hurry in the dead of
night when their prospective mar.
riage Is frowned upon by irate
parents, or when there are other
impediments which make a secret
and hurried wedding advisable.
Passing through the town the
tourist sees on his left the old
brick court house where the
licenses are issued and where many
OF the ceremonies are performed.
1t Is in this same old court house
IN the days of a few years ago
when the Maryland authorities were
ut bitter war with the motorists
OF Washington that many q Can.
ttaI driver answered to the pu-n.
mary Judgment meted out by q
town-proud Judge. In those DAYS
there was no reciprocity between
the District and Maryland, and woe
betide the Washington driver who
happened into the State without
license tags of Maryland or a State
drivers permit.
But times have changed, and the
officious police OF a former day
have given place to the courteous
officers OF the present, who, instead
OF showing the motorist the inside
Of the. courtroom, will direct him to
the various points of interest In
which the little place abounds.
A Bit Of History
On the courthouse lawn he win
find the tablet mounted on a rough
stone which commentaries the en-.
campment of Major Gen. Edward
Braddock when, as commander of
the British forces in America, he
moved against the French and In
dians in the war which beset the
struggling colonies. Braddock en-.
camped his men there in April, 1855.
when the town had not achieved the
J name of Rockville, but was known
simply as owens Ordinary"
Opposite the courthouse the
! tourist will observe the monument
which commentaries those who
left Montgomery county to serve in
the army of the Confederacy.
Proudly it has been marked "That
we through life may not forget the
thin gray line" TAe thin gray
line is particularly deserving of it's
name In this community for there
Is only one member of the original
Confederate Veterans Camp still
alive.
Out of Rockville the tourist fol.
lows u. 8. Route 240, and he gen.
orally leaves the slumbering little
county seat with q feeling of regret,