Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-21

ing its identity, was the only other road
then running into this country village.
Part of this road is now known as Colo
RADIO avenue.
Many a bicycle enthusiast Of 80 or 20
years ago will recall the short, delightful
run afforded by riding out Piney Branch
road to Brightwood and returning to
the city by way of Seventh Street road.
Nor is this same enthusiast likely to for
get the Argyle estate Oh the Piney
Branch road and the Virginia deer
which would scarhper into the woods
upon the approach Of & team or cy-
clist.
Argyle was owned by Thomas Blas-
den, and it was truly magnificent
place to behold, with its beautiful green
foliage in the Spring and its wonderful
array of colored leaves in the Fall. The
wooded scenery along the driyeways OF
Rock Creek Park seem to approach II
nearest in Splendor, in this vicinity.
7 IKE some other roads in the District,
IL the Seventh Street turnpike once
had its tollgate 1t was located where
Is now 6400 Georgia avenue, on the prop
erty purchased in 1900 by Lewis White,
and now occupied by his son, Harry b.
White. During the Civil War the elder
Mr. White was encamped near this spot
with the Union troops, and engaged in
the Battle of Fort Stevens, July ll-l2,
| 1864. The beauty Of the surrounding
country at that time so appealed to him
that he determined to move here when
the opportunity presented itself. 1t was
not, however. until the lapse Of So years
that his desire was realized, though 1t
was his great satisfaction to spend the
remainder of his days on the battlefield
where he had fought for the protection
OF the Capital OF the United states. The
foundation walls Of the tollgate property
still exist, but are covered over IN the
lawn in front Of the White residence.
Tollgates have always been a source
of worry to the people, and happy was
the man who could beat the tollman
out Of but even few pennies. Thus, II
will not prove surprising to learn that
this tollgate. put here many years ago,
did not meet with the approval OF those
who lived close by and had to pass
that way. A meeting Of some OF the
prominent residents to the north was
purchase O right of way In order to de-
tour around the tollgate. This detour
road-now a section Of the Piney
Branch road-had its beginning at
about 6400 Georgia avenue, ran south
paralleling that avenue and ended across
the street from the Masonic Temple,
where it can be seen today.
In 1853 the following are listed as
property ownerS along the Seventh
Street turnpike from Rock Creek
Church road to Silver Spring: On the
right hand side going north-O. B. Tay-
loe (probably meant for Benjamin Ogle
Tayioe), T. Mostler, A. White, Matthew
G. Emery, e. Ray, r. Butt, NJ. p.
Causin, s. Reeve, later sold to B. H.
Warner; w. M. Morrison, DR.. Noble,
Mr.. Colclager, A. P. C. Shoemaker and
B. c. DAILY, who evidently conducted the
Oak Grove post office.
On the left hand side of the turn
pike going north. between Rock Greek
Church road and Piney Branch road,
were the properties of j. Weinberger, j.
Korner, Mr.. Sunny, w. Little, A. Ray,
the Washborne heirs, e. Osborn, J. Saul
and Mrs. H. White. Between Piney
Branch road, Rock Creek and Milk
House Ford road the farms were owned
by j. Hoyle, J. Pilling, r. Tittman, Rev.
D. Finkel, B. Jost, Mr.. Stewart and w.
King, North of Milk House Ford road,
along the turnpike, were the tracts Of
A. Shoemaker, Emory Chapel, w. b.
Beall, j. Seldom. T. Carbery, B. CIagetts
heirs and r. P. Blair.
X \
THE Beall property originally included
= 1913 acres and extended along the
Seventh street pike, or the Old Plank
road, as 1t Was sometimes called, from
Emory Church north to about the Wal
ter Reed Hospital property, where 1t
crossed Georgia avenue, and included q
strip Of land which Is now q part of
Takoma Park. This land once belonged