Evening star., 1933-11-19

stand by and look on; this, too, within less
than miles Of the dome of the United States
Capitol. OF course, this condition is typical Of
the entire District Of Columbia and its 100000
people who pay taxes, just like everybody else
and largely to a greater extent--and still have
no say as to how it shall be expended.
Several years ago, Guy Clinton prepared
sketch OF Takoma Park, and The Star carries
an article regarding it in its columns of June
Is, 1885, In reviewing Takoma's past history,
we find that In some details, the historians are
not always in accord. OF course. The Star
writer. OF nearly half a century ago. most likely
got his facts from some one who familiar
with the place, and as the item was written
when the village was less than six years old,
it is of peculiar interest
From Mr.. Cinton's review we find that Col.
and Mrs. Kniffn came to Takoma on July 3,
1884. and built on the corner of Carroll and
Maple avenues and that "Mr Henry Garrett
and family came in September and built
Oak avenue ON the District side" At first, he
says, "the streets on both sides were known as
avenues; but when the District Commissioners
took charge Of the District side these avenues
did not fit into the District system, SO they
were renamed streets. but otherwise in most
cases were allowed to keep their names"
Mr.. Thomas also came in September and
built at the corner of Tulip and Oak DIR. and
Mrs. Corey came in the late Winter and built
on the Maryland side at the corner of Eastern
and Chestnut. DR.. E. B. Bliss came in the
Fall and built on what is known as the Orchard
lot, west side of Maple avenue The Ford
brothers, Seth and Byron, came in the early
Spring Of 1885 and built the double house at
the corner of Tulip and Maple.
Although this evidence of prosperity was no
doubt pleasing to Mr.. Gilbert he showed what
a vision of the future be had by buying large
tract in 1886, extending from Carroll avenue
over to the Big Spring and to Woodland ave-
nue., as 1t is now known. This became known
as New Takoma. Mr.. Skinner on Pine avenue.
was the first to build in this tract, and shortly
after, Gov. Warren built the of Pine
and Montgomery. Again, in 1889, MIR. Gilbert
extended the towns borders by purchasing the
Jones and Nauehton farms. in North Takoma
Wilmer @. Platt and Mr. Van Horton
among the first TO make their homes IN tni'
section
lew factors have contributed more to the
success Of this place than have the citi-
Zens associations, of which there are now two.
The pioneer body. known as the Takoma Park
Citizens Association, had its beginning, it IL
said, In october, 1888, at the home Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Byron Coon on Sycamore avenue Out
of this and subsequent meetings formal organ-
Takoma Park Improvement Association came
into being, OF which the charter members were
George H. Bailey, Norman Brainard, Robert S.
Brown, Garrett M. Davis, L. F. Dudley, Henry
Garrett, c. M. Heaton, John F. johnson, John
B. Kinnear, Col. G.. C. Kniffn, j. Vance Lewis.
Enoch MarTis, Rev. DR.. Robert r. McCurdy,
Wilmer G. Platt, William E. Skinner, o. d.
Sunny and Thomas E Woods DR.. McCurdy
was elected first president, Mr.. Bailey vice
president, Mr.. Davis secretary and Mr. KIM
near treasurer.
In 1893 the association changed its name to
the Public Welfare Association of Takoma Park,
and in 1897 to its present name. This, we are
told, was the first citizens association IN the
District and nearby Maryland to admit women
to membership Mrs. Morris Bien, MRS G. N.
Heaton, Mrs. J. B. Kinnear, Mrs Hervey Knight
and Mrs. Angus Lamond were among those to
join, about 1898.
A few years ago another civic body was