Evening star., 1934-03-18
TAKOMA PARK UNIT
REVIEWS 45 YEARS
|OF ACHIEVEMENTS
Fights for School, Library
and Underpass Recalled
at Anniversary.

10 lIS creolt In upDulIolng That section
OF Washington bordering on the
Maryland line. Last Monday the or
ganlzation celebrated its 45th ami
versary.
In March, 1889, small group Of
citizens met at the home of Byron
c. Coon on Sycamore avenue, Takoma
Park, Md, and organized The
Takoma Park Improvement Associa-
ton" This was six years after the
town had been founded by Benjamin
F. Gilbert.
Early Membership Recalled.
Rev. Robert r. McMurdy was
elected president, George H. Bailey,
vice president; Garrett M. Davis, Sec
retary, and John B. Kinnear, treas
urer. In addition to these residents.
the following were numbered among
the charter members of the new asso-
citation: Robert S. Brown, Norman
Brainard, L. F. Dudley, Charles M.
Heaton, Col. G. c. Knif1n, j. Vance
Lewis, o. D. Sunny, Wilmer G.
Platt, Enoch MariS, William E. Skim
ner, Henry Garrett, John F. Johnson
and Thomas E. Woods. Of this group,
Mr.. Kinnear later became a member
OF the Town Council and mayor from
1902 to 1906; Mr.. Maris was ap-
pointed mayor and served from 1893
| to 1894, while Mr.. Platt served sew
| eral terms on the Town Council and
as mayor from 1906 to 1912 and again
from 1917 to 1920.
Meetings of the association were
held monthly. Questions of impor-
tance relating to problems Of the
community were considered and plans
laid for welfare of both the District
and Maryland sides The organization
arranged for incorporation of that
section lying in Maryland, and In 1890
this was accomplished through pas
sage Of a bill at Annapolis, Nd, on
April 3.
In 1893 the name Of the association
was changed to The Public Welfare
Association Of Takoma Park" Samuel
| S. Shedd. who afterward became
mayor Of the town, was elected presi-
dent; j. A. Finch, vice president:
George A. Warren, treasurer, and
Morris Bien, secretary. Again in 1897
the name was changed, this time to
the "Takoma Park Citizens Associa-
ton" At the annual election in 1897
| Wilmer G. Platt was elected presi-
lent; John B. Kinnear, vice president;
H. M. Bennett, treasurer, and George
A Warren, secretary.
Sponsor July 4 Celebration.
In 1896 the first joint meeting Of
the Town Council Of Takoma Park,
Md, and the association was held.
The first Fourth Of July celebration
was also held that year under auspices
of the association. In recent years
the association has sponsored, with
other civic organizations in Takoma
Park, Independence day celebrations
of community character.
John B. Kinnear succeeded Mr..
Platt as president of the association
in 1899, with ]. Vance Lewis as vice
president; Ben G. Davis, secretary,
and George Francis Williams, as
treasurer.
1t was through efforts Of the aSso-
citation that the first public school for
Takoma Park was secured, when
Congress passed a bill appropriating
$4,000 for the construction of a
four-room school building, which was
opened May IS, 1901. At the next
session, s21,276 was secured from
Congress for the completion of an
additional four rooms
On February %. 1901, the associa-
ton held a reception in Takoma Hall
for the mayor and Town Council in
celebration, not only Of the birth of
George Washington, but also of the
completion Of the town water system.
President Kinnear presided, with the
late Judge Ashley NJ. Gould and Louis
P. Shoemaker as the principal speak
erS. The usual Fourth OF July cele-
bration took place, with L. M. Mooers
as chairman.
Appeals were made to officials Of the
Ninth street car line in 1902, and
Gen. George H Harries, its president,
approved the suggestion and later
the line was extended to Soldiers
Home
",
securing a branch library for Takoma
Park were taken at a joint meeting
of the Takoma Park Citizens ASSocia-
ton and the Takoma Club and
Library. This formed the ground
work for the present attractive
branch of the Washington Public
Library, corner Fifth and Cedar
streets, which was erected at cost
of $4,000.
During its early history the associa-
ton secured a booster" to raise gas
pressure in the suburban section.
Later the gas company replaced the
booster" with ample sized mains
The association also secured trunk
line sewers for the community.
After the destruction by fire on No
vember 6, 1908, Of the Bliss Electrical
School, formerly the North Takoma
Hotel, a movement was started for q
fire house for Takoma Park.
Grade Crossings Eliminated.
After q number Of fatalities at the
grade crossing adjoining the Balti-
more & Ohio Railroad station, at
what Is now known as Cedar street,
the association took up and won the
fight for elimination Of grade cross
ings. In 1909 the association took. up
with the District Commissioners the
question of abolishing the grade cross
ing at Cedar street and the construc-
ton of subway for vehicular traffic
and sidewalks on either side for Pc
deStrians. After considerable delay
and changes in the original plans the
present concrete subway is the re-
suit.
A few years ago several persons
were killed at the Chestnut street
railroad crossing and immediate steps
were taken for the construction Of
an "underpass." This was effected by
extension and widening Of Piney
Branch road and removal by con.
demnation Of private residences and
cooperation of Maryland officials In
the construction of attractive Rp-
proaches. This underpass only recent
ly has been completed, and its dedi-
cation will take place In the near