Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-09

Of the Capitol: Every four years two men,
chosen from among all the people drive to
and from The Capitol on inauguration day with
thousands following in procession and thou
sands cheering from the Avenue sidewalks.
Down this broad thoroughfare have passed
visiting kings and queens with military escort
solemn funeral professions and flag -draped
calssons; the weary troops of returning armies:
Dewey or a PerShing to be welcomed. Here
have passed parades for every great occasion
ATmistice day, the vote for women. a District
centennial: but always flags flying, bands play
ing, people marching in inspiring pageantS to
Illuminate the records of hiStory-on Penn
SylVania avenue!
Memorial sites are often chosen because of
military engagements, but the District of Co
lumbia has had few of these to commemorate.
The northwest corner of Second street and
Maryland avenue northeast may be mentioned
rs the only place here where an armed defense
was made against the British in 1914.
Fort Stevens, beyond Brightwood is known
as the only battle-ground in the District of
Columbia during the Civil War, and it
here that Lincoln stood under attack. The
site was marked by memorial in 1912.
Another boulder in the grounds of the Wash
fngton Cathedral is a memorial of stin earlier
wars, for 1t marks the road over which
division OF the British army under Gen Brad
dock marched on its way to Fort Duquesne,
April IA, 1755.
The landmark known as Braddock's Rock
HAS pIdCuCaI1y disappeared from pODnC
view, Is an example of the difficulty of welding
tradition with historical fact. Now situated
IN the grounds of the Naval Hospital and
having lost most of its original bulk, this
ROCK was once great ledge extending to
the former shore line of the Potomac and
1t was supposed to have been the landing place
of Braddocks troops in 1855. When historians
began to search for the foundation of this ira
dition, nothing tangible could be learned al
though old residents of the little settlement
rrkaia FAwr ns~l.y
remember the one-time glory of the Quay
of Cuays.'
T may be said that age should be the QUAIL
ity most respected in deciding upon the
rank of historic spots. In that case there
Is the giant realty Oak" on Temple Heights
which is estimated being over 900 years
Old, and under whose wide-Spreading branches
treaty is said to have been consummated
between the Indians and the white settlers.
Or should We consider the claims of Ana
costa, which Capt. John Smith located upon
his map in 1912? There is also that other
Indian village which occupied the site OF
Georgetown and was seen by the venturesome
Potomac traveller, Henry Fleets, in 1851.
Georgetown, as a thriving maritime city be-
fore the boundaries of the District were deter
mined, might be expected to claim that the
most historic spot in this region lies west of
Rock Greek. She still boasts many interest
ing mansions and quaint buildings dating from
the latter part Of the eighteenth century or
the early years Of the nineteenth, but NO other
spot there seems more Intimately connected
with District history than that upon which
suffers Tavern once stood. Mr.. Suter had
several taverns at different times but in the
one which he operated March 80 1871 the
owners OF the land needed for the Capital City
met President Washington and formally coded
the Federal territory. There also on Septem-
Der OF the same year. it was determined BY
the commissioners. Gen. Thomas johnson Dr.
David Stuart and Daniel Carroll that the Capi-
tai City should be called the City of Wash
ington."
Another place in Georgetown Of more than
ordinary interest was the Key Mansion at
S5l8 M street, where Francis Scott Kew lived
' for about 20 years.
= II we believe that history is best served by
scientific achievement, would certainly select
for honorable mention site on the west side
OF Seventh street between E and F. Here ac-
cording to bronze tablet placed there In 1913
Samuel B. Morse, artist and inventor opened
and operated the first public telegraph office
in the United States in 1845.
This building, however, housed the develop
ment Of but one scientific triumph and per-
haps our vote in this class of historical value
should go to a red brick structure on the Mall.
To mention all the scientific wonders which
mankind shares through the Smithsonian In
St1tution, as well the cultural growth the
District owes to it, would be impossible. The
science OF meteorology had its birth there and
1t was Joseph Henry, the first secretary of the
Smithsonian, who helped make possible the
electric achievements of today. To the sec.
Cnd secretary, Samuel Pierpont Langley and
his experiments IN aerodynamics the world
owes the evolution Of the aeroplane
The marking of historic sites in Washington
by an authorized committee seems to have had
its beginning in 1902, when the Grand Army
Of the Republic met here for encampment