Evening star., 1934-02-25
dent, but, due TO inability to devote


required, he was succeeded by Mr..
Langley, who directed the activities of
the organization for 80 years. Even
now. after all these years, Mr.. Lang
ley is one Of the most active members
OF the association. Since 1927 he
has held the title Of honorary presi-
dent.
Mr.. Langley was succeeded by
Finnis D. Morris, who served as
president for six years. Thomas w.
Joy, elected as Mr.. Morris successor,
still holds the presidency
Back in the old days, the organiza-
ton used to meet in what was known
as 'Kelly's store" on Rock Creek
Church road. Later, however, when
the Woodburn School. at Riggs and
Rock Creek Church roads, was given
the name Of Joseph r. Keene, first
supervising principal of public schools,
the association began meeting in one
OF the class rooms there. Monthly
meetings still are held there, but it
is expected that before long the new
school erected next door will be ready
for occupancy.
Former Wine Lands.
Originally, the organization had
only three standing committees; now
1t has four times that number. In
the old days, the Chillum Heights
territory was, for the most part, farm
lands, and residents Of the area
specialized in the cultivation of
grapes. Roads in the section were
dotted with taverns, where wine was
sold by the pitcherful. Now, however,
the territory Is a well built, up-and-
coming residential community, COM
bining the best features Of both coun-
try and city.
Aside from their homes, the two
things Of which Chillum Heights resi-
dents are most proud are Forts Slo-
cum and Totten. These old fortifca-
tions. which helped to protect the
Capital during Civil War days, are
scheduled for development as a part
OF the forts driveway project.
Pierre LEnfant, who designed
Washington, used to spend his Sum-
mers in the Chillum Heights territory.
He died there, and, until his body
was removed to Arlington National
Cemetery, Chillum Heights was his
resting place.
During its 40 years of existence, the
Chillum Heights Citizens Association
has waged countless battles for i'm
provements. One of its biggest fights
was against q proposal to erect a gas
storage tank Of 100000 cubic feet
capacity in the area. With the CO.
operation of other citizens organiza-
tions, the association finally succeeded
in having the project dropped.
Avenue Extension Obtained.
Perhaps the biggest victory ever
won by the organization, however,
was in connection with the extension
of New Hampshire avenue. For 20
years Mr.. Langley and other members
of the association campaigned to have
the thoroughfare extended into Mary
land, with q bridge carrying it across
the tracks of the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad. Only recently announce
ment was made that funds for the
project had been granted. The ex-
tension is scheduled to be completed
about January l, 1885.
The organization also has been in
strumental In the opening Of nu-
merous streets, the installation Of
street lights and fire alarm boxes,
and in the development Of school
system that has kept pace with the
growth Of the community.
Back in the old days the section
had only a two-room frame school.
Immediately after its formation the
association campaigned for-and got
q four.roorrl brick school. And now
also largely through the unremit-
ting efforts of the organization-the
territory has q modern eight-room
brick school.