Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-17

NV boulevard and san FRANCISCO It's
4 Golden Gate Park washington
ha-ior will have soon-its
George washington Memorial oarkway. rival
of them all
With the passage of the Cramton-Capper
bill by the late adjourned Congress now a law
through the signature of President Hoover,
there has been authorized along the Potomac,
from Mount Vernon, on the Virginia side to
Great Falls and from Great Falls, on the Mary
land side, to Fort Washington at the mouth OF
Piscataway Creek one OF the most magnificent
parkwayS in the world
To the motorist of the future travelling this
parkway two things will be observed-un-
rivaled natural scenery and spots of cherished
historical interest. Beginning at Mount YER
non the home of washington, he will traverse
the lowland of the Potomac to the rugged foot
hills OF the Blue Ridge, cross the river by
bridge al retrace his course down the river,
through the Capital and on to Fort Washing
ton, rich In military lore.
Let us taxi that drive in fancy as some day
not distant in the future We shall take it by
automobile or enotor caravan. Let us start at
Mount Vernon, and as we climb the highlands
see what may be seen, dream of the life that
once flowed there, warm and endeared to
memory.
THE story OF Mount Vernon has been told in
song and prose for wen over century now
half-brother, it came to him on the death of
the former and his only heir, daughter. To
him and his wife, Martha GUSTS, it was the
dearest place on earth" From it he went to
the wars of liberty the councils of his State
and Nation and It's presidency. Today it is
the first shrine OF America, and the resting
place Of all that remains Of the mortal wash
ington and his devoted spouse.
Leaving Mount Vernon at the beautiful
terminus gateway to the estate-the end OF the
Mount Vernon boulevard from washingtot-
one takes the highway to the city through
Alexandria. And though 1t Is the object Of this
article to dwell more particularly upon what
may be seen upon this ride, it Is not amiss 10
pause for the moment and spend some time
upon this road itself. For it is designed to be
the most beautiful boulevard IN the world
Conception OF this highway which follows
Che river from Mount Vernon to washington
originated in 1885. And since that time until
the present the time OF its actuality it has
had the Endorsement OF the state of Virginia
the Presidents of the United states members
of Congress and the cabinet and national
patriotic organisations.
Following the creation OF the commission for
the celebration Of the 2O0th anniversary OF
George washington in 1882, under the admin
istration of Calvin Coolidge in 1924 there was
passed by Congress in 1928 an act which
authorized the construction and maintenance
of the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway The
project, and the construction OF the road was
placed in the hands Of the Bureau Of Public
Roads, Department of Agriculture
This road, 15la miles long, has minimum
right of way OF 200 feet, except through the
City of Alexandria. Automobile parking places
are designated along it, particularly at charm
ing natural spots. Trees will adorn its entire
length, with suitable paintings on unattractive
grouni
THE first stop of interest on the route will he
Fort Hunt, established in 1898 during the
Spanish American War. 1t is located on Sherf-
dams Point opposite old Fort Washington. and
was designed as a precautionary measure in
defense of the city in case the war should ever
move up from Cuba or over from Manila Bay
The old fort disn1antled during the world War,
that It's gums might be used overseas, contains
approximately 200 acres and lies in plain view
of Mount Vernon. Today it is no more than a
reservation, cared for by detachment of troops
from Fort Washington. In the days of the
Civil war 1t, with Fort Washington, guarded
stratce lily the approach to washington by
river at this point Here Piscataway Greek
enters the Potomac from the east diverting its
main channel frora north and south sharply
southwest. The result is an almost perfect
upside -down letter "T," with the forts nestled
in each corner made by the meeting of the
cross-bar and the main stem of the letter.
Tobias Lears home wellington stands by
the Washington's secretary, whose life is
as fully interviewer with that of the first Pres-
dent as Boswell's is with Johnsons.
Nearing the city and overlooking the river
and Gfavelly Point, airport site OF the Capital
one comes to Abingdon, rich in association
with the name Of Custis. Here John GUSTS,
Mrs. washingt0hs son, brought his bride,
Eleanor Calvert of Maryland, to walk the RAM
parts OF romance overlooking the peaceful river
below. 1t was here that Nellie Gusts, WASH .
tngtoh's adopted daughter. was born
The view from Abingdon Is panoramic,
Wasi1fngtoh City and the north shore OF the