Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-29
MOVE TO PRESERVE
HISTORIC PLACES.
Action Deemed Necessary in
Development of Subur-
ban Pathways.
BY WILLIAM J. WHEATLEY,
star Correspondent Of The Star.


SILVER SPRING, Nd, April 40
With the increased demand for land in
the metropolitan district of Maryland and
the need for prompt steps to be taken
by the Maryland National Capital Park
and Planning Commission to acquire
those sites necessary for preservation as
a part Of the permant park system
some studies have been made of historic
points which should be given first at
tention. Among the most important OF
these at the present time, according to
persons In close touch with the situa-
ton, is Fort Meigs, on the Marlboro
road tust across the District line.
Occupies Commanding View.
This historic outpost is the last of the
line of Civil War defenses of washing
ton, occupying commanding view Of
the Capital City to the westward. 1t
is said to be the largest of the posts
and is situated in close proximity to
two other posts, occupying the high land
across the Anacostia River. The others
are Fort Davis, at the end of Pennsyl
vania avenue. and Fort Dupont, also on
the Marlboro road, only short distance
from Fort Meigs. These two have been
purchased by the Federal Government
Fort Davis has been improved, so that
people may go in and see the old breast
works, and Fort Dupont now is serving
as nursery for the raising of trees
for the District of Columbia streets.
Fort Meigs now is privately owned
and is about three acres in area, it was
said. 1t has not yet been subdivided:
in fact, officials of the planning COM
mission have succeeded in holding this
feature off in the hope that it would be
purchased as a part OF the Civil War
fort system. and might be included in
the proposed fort drive which it is pro-
posed to build around the District con-
Meeting up these old outposts The
old bombprcofs and breastworks are
said to be still in place. and unless
something is done promptly it may be
subdivioed and the historic works may
be leveled off and forever lost -
posterity. In addition to this historic
feature. it was pointed out that its
preservation would provide a place
from which visitors could obtain an
excellent birds-eye view of the Dis
trict of Columbia.
Land Believed Cheap.
Investigation of the value of the
land, it was said, has indicated that
it might be purchased at a compare
lively small figure. and improved into
parkwas. 1t is considered to be far
more important for preservation than
the establishment of certain other recre-
ational features at this time, If it is to
be preserved at all.
There has been available for two
years State appropriation of $50, 900
for expenditure in Prince Georges Coun-
ty. where the fort 8 located, for pur-
chase Of park lands. 1t was pointed
out that use of small part of this
fund for the acquisition OF this site
would be wise expenditure This
purchase could be made without any
additional tax on the residents OF the
county, and 1t would give them one of
the finest parks in the area and one
that would increase in value in future
years.
The National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission for some years has
oeen going ahead and acquiring as many
OF these sites as possible in the Dis
trict OF Columbia, and there are several
In Virginia, which are being examined.