Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-10-13
Bv William A. MilIen.

here, strange to relate, in its
own right now has title to
Il practically all the major sites
OF the ancient villages of the red man
in Washington and its immediate
vicinity. For the most part. they are
in the official custody of the National
Park Service of the Interior Depart
ment.
To preserve for the future the pages
Of the past. Y. E. Chatelain, acting
assistant director of the branch of
historic sites of the National Park
Service, announces that his organiza-
ton proposes to mark appropriately
the evidences left hereabouts by the
aborigineS. Soon Washingtonians and
the city's thousands of visitors will be
able to read readily about the ancient
homes Of the Indians in this region.
Washington is particularly fortunate
in having Secretary of the Interior
In Harold L. Ickes, who takes keen
personal interest in the Indian and
his history
Washington's park chief, c. MARSHALL
Finnan, has a special interest in the
Indians and preserving their footsteps
here. Prior to coming to Washington he
was superintendent of Mesa Verde Ma
tional Park, in Southwestern Colorado.
Not only did he have present-day
Navajo Indians working for him, build
ing roads and engaged in other con-
struction, but Mr.. Finnal did archeo-
logical research and museum work for
the National Park Service in Colorado
and Northern New Mexico. To WASH
ington'S park chief the red man is a
friend and subject for special study.
Mr.. Finnan-a native of Baltimore
Is thoroughly interested in the Indians
of the Potomac River Valley and this
region generally. H. r. Gregg. park
naturalist from Hot Springs, Ark, who
is conducting series of nature guide
hikes in the Washington park system,
plans to give some attention to the
heirlooms left by the Indians in this
section.
The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission is proposing to
extend the Anacostia Park system up
the valley of Indian Greek, tributary
Of the Eastern Branch. This is part
OF the projected parkway to Baltimore
and will preserve another reminder of
the Indians here. This body, too,
wants the Indian officially remembered
Tor the culture he has left.
The scientists say that the main
Indian settlements in this region were
at Bennings. along the east bank of
the Anacostia River; on the west bank
Of the Anacostia, southeast of the
National Training School for Boys; at
the crest Of the hill on the Virginia
side Of the Potomac, at Chain Bridge;
at Carroll place, north of Garfield
Park and between First and Second
streets southeast; at Theodore Roose-
welt Island; near the mouth of Four
Mile Run; on the old Isaac Crossmun
farm at Falls Church, Va, and at
ancient Namaraughquena, at the
south end of the Railroad Bridge,
which replaced the old Long Bridge.
The ancient Indians were also found
along Canal road, near Chain Bridge.
Ancient Nacotchtanke now is part
Of Anacostia Park; the areas on both
sides Of Chain Bridge are scheduled
for early inclusion in the proposed
George Washington Memorial Park
way; Boiling Field and the Naval Air
Station are near part of the old In
dian. developments; Theodore Roose-
welt Island-untl recently officially
called Analostan Islands part Of
the washington park system Of today;
Four Mile Run and hoary Namaraugh-
quena are part of the Mount Vernon
Memorial Highway development. The
site near the National Training School
for Boys Is expected to be taken over
shortly, either for Anacostia Park or
the National Arboretum. Between the
Arlington Memorial and Key Bridges
the Bureau of Public Roads Is con-
structing for the National Park Serv-
ice o new park driveway along the
Potomac River In Virginia that will
be near the site Of another ancient
Indian village.
IN PINEY BRANCH PARKWAY is
found an Indian workshop which
was o hive Of industry long before the
white mans government came to town.
The National Museum has described
the8 workshops rs the greatest