Evening star., 1933-11-26
PARK VIEW GROUP
ACTIVE 25 YEARS
Six of Organizing Members
Still Engaged in Affairs
of Association.

Streets muddy and often impossible,
almost no street lights, no curbing,
cutters and sewers and school facili-
ties something only to be hoped for
these were the conditions which gave
birth to the Park View Citizens Asso-
citation February rs. 1908.
In 1907 the Park View Community
had recently begun to build up and
was badly in need of streets and other
Improvements, which were slow in
coming. The only street lights were
on Park road.
Organization Is Begun.
Some Of the residents believed that
much could be done if the property
owners were organized in such a man
ner that all could work together, and
to this end in December, 1907, five men
met at the home Of John G. McGrath
on Manor place and decided to form a
citizens association.
Those five were George M. Rus
sell, Theodore L. Gatchell, Charlton M.
Clark, George w. Sunderland and Mr.
McGrath. They decided to call mass
meeting Of residents Of the neighbor-
hood.
On February 25 the meeting was held
in the hall Of the Whitney Avenue
Christian Church. The names Of the
So persons who we're present are re-
corded in the minutes of the associa-
ton. Six are still members. They
are W. J. Kenner, M. B. Granger,
George H. Russell. Albert B. Clark, S..
H. Kent and j. H. Collier.
Pastor Acts As Chairman.
Rev. w. F. Smith, pastor Of the
church, which IS now called the Park
View Christian Church, was made
chairman Of the meeting and Sidney
H Cooper served as secretary.
Edward c. Finney was elected presi-
dent, Mr.. McGrath first vice president
and DR.. A. B. Crane second vice pres
ident. The rolls were held open until
October, at which time 1913 charter
members had signed.
The first speaker to address the as
ISOLATION was Judge c. S. Bundy,
president Of the Columbia Heights Citi-
zens' Association, April 3. 1908. At
the conclusion Of Judge Bundy's e6-
dress. Clifford H. Bergman, cartoontst
Of The Star, gave chalk talk" and
drew cartoons and pictures Of prori-
ment persons, political aspirants and
some Of the persons present.
Group Suggested Federation.
During the long history Of the associ-
alton, which has seen the association S
territory developed with the expansion
of the city, the citizens have worked
for all the improvements, which have
come with the growth, and now make
of Park View a modern community.
fHniv aovlyy onnnynn1ichY ant
are found street improvements, a
school house, express delivery, gas serv-
ice, telephone service and through
street car service on Georgia avenue
and then ON Brightwood avenue.
The Federation Of Citizens Associ-
ations Is said to have been first pro-
posed by the Park View body. Men,
bers of the association were active In
founding the District Of Columbia Pub
lie School Association.
Started Community Center.
The first community center in the
District, from which grew the present
community center organization, was
sociation. During the World War, COM
munity buying was developed in con-
nection with the community center
alton, a post Office was opened in the
Park View School July !, 1918, and still
serves the community.
The association reached its highest
point In civic affairs in the July cele-
brations in the Soldiers Home grounds
in 1917 and 1918. At the first meeting
the speakers were Jules M. Jusserand'
French Ambassador, and Senator
Robert l.. Owen Of Oklahoma.
Obtaining the Park View Platoon
School is regarded by the association
as It's most important achievement and
it is in the auditorium Of the school
that it meets monthly.
Mr. Finney, the first president, was
succeeded by George H. Russell and he
In turn by Mr.. McGrath, who served
nine wears. Both Mr.. Russell and Mr..
McGrath later headed the association
during other periods. Other pres1dsnts
the present secretary, and F. v. Hale,
the present incumbent.