Evening star., 1936-01-05
TAKOMA TO ERECT
GILBERT MEMORIAL
Committee Studies SuggeS-
tionS to Honor Founder
of Community.

The founder OF Takoma Park-Ben-
jamin Franklin Gilbert-is to be hon.
ored with a fitting memorial in the
community which he started on its
historic career more than half cen
tury ago. The nature of the memo
rial has not been decided on as yet,
but is receiving the attention Of the
Gilbert Memorial Committee OF the
Takoma Park Citizens Association.
1t was on November "a, 1883, that
title to 100 acres forming the GEN.
trail section of the community, lying
on both sides Of the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad tracks and on both sides Of
the division line between the District
of Columbia and Montgomery County.
Md, passed TO Benjamin F. Gilbert.
Takoma was established and its his
tory began, the location possessing all
of the natural advantages that its
founder had in mind. 1t was high
ground. about $50 feet above the level
of downtown Washington, and there
was a plentiful supply Of pure water.
When Gilbert was considering the
purchase of the tract, which was
known as the Grammer farm, he men
toned his plans to two friends of his
family. They we're enthusiastic over
the outlook and each purchased for
cash lot, which were the first sold,
even before the tract had been sub
divided. The plot of the subdivision
was completed few weeks later and
a dozen more lots sold almos. inme-
diately.
Families Share First House.
The first building was an eight
room house, in which four families
lived for short time while their own
houses were in process of erection.
They were Gilbert, Fred E. Dudley,
Mrs. Veitenheimer and Col. Gilbert
c. Kniffin. The building was jocu-
larly called THE Barn" because living
in it was not much more comfortable
than living in barn. It was erected
quickly and was occupied before it
was finished. The walls were not
plastered, the roof leaked and 1t lacked
heating facilities.
The home of Mrs. Veitheimer was
the first to be completed, that of
Dudley being completed about a week
or two later and Col Knifin's resi-
dence about two weeks after that
time. Seven houses were built and
occupied before the end of the year
1884. Gilbert's house, which cost
over $4,000, was occupied by his
family in the Spring of 1885, although
it was not completed in its entirety
until the Summer Of that year. The
house was located on Oak avenue
near Tulip avenue. 1t was sold to
Mayor Samuel S. Shedd, prominent
business man Of the National Capital.
Several years later the home was de-
stroyed by fire.
In 1886 Gilbert added another tract
Of land to Takoma Park and in 1888
he purchased the North Takoma
tract. At that time there were 70
houses and two stores in Takoma
Park. The first house to be erected
in the North Takoma section was that
of Wilmer G. Platt, for many years
mayor of the town. The famous hotel
in North Takoma, in which the Gill
bert family lived for several years.
was completed In 1892. The building
was purchased by the Bliss Electrical
School In 1908 and completely re-
modelled On November 6. 1908. it
was destroyed by fire.
Suggestions Offered.
DR.. william A. Hooker. chairman
Of the Gilbert Memorial Committee,
has received a number Of suggestions
for memorials. Among the sugges-
lions are the erection Of two bronze
tablets, one in the Takoma Park
branch Of the Washington Public
Library, corner Fifth and Cedar
streets, and the other in a public
library when a permanent building is
secured on the Maryland side of Ia
koma Park; naming of the public
school on Ray road in Prince Georges
County, Md, the Gilbert" School;
erection of tablet at the Takoma
spring; setting aside of an area for
q bird haven In the Sligo Greek VAL
ley, to be known as Gilbert Park;
dedication by the Seventh-Day Ad-
ventists' denomination of the tract Of
land bounded by Eastern, Laurel and
Carroll avenues, in front Of the Re-
view and Herald and general confer
ence buildings, as Q park. with sun
dial erected on Q boulder brought
from the Sligo Greek section. A