Evening star., 1937-03-07
TWO ASSOCIATIONS.
MARK BIRTHDAYS.
Takoma Park and Bright
wood Groups Have Ami
versaries This Month.

niversary celebrations OF two OF the
oldest citizens associations, whose long
years of service have done much
toward upbuilding the Washington
suburban area.
The two organizations are the Ia
koma Park Md.-D. c. Citizens Asso-
citation and the Brightwood Citizens
Association. The former was organ
lied in March, 1889, in the waiting
room of the old Baltimore IL Ohio
Railroad station, which still stands in
Takoma Park. 1t was first named
1.-THE Takoma Park Improvement AS
ISOLATION" The second was organized
in March, 1891, and was known as
1.-THE Brightwood Avenue Citizens AS
yociation."
Town Founded in 1883.
The town of Takoma Park was
founded by Benjamin Franklin Gill
bert in November, 1888. The present
Takoma Park Citizens Association, in
conjunction with the North Takoma
Improvement Club, is planning suit
able memorial to him in the shape OF
monument made from a large
boulder from Sligo Stream, surmounted
by a large bronze tablet containing
historic facts.
The Takoma Park organization is
unusual by reason Of its interstate
character Takoma Park lies partly IN
the District, partly in Prince Georges
County and the greatest portion in
Montgomery County. It's membership
is drawn from all sections. Annually
at the election of officers the key posi-
tions are divided between Maryland
and District residents. the same rule
applying to the Executive Committee.
The association fosters the ideas and
ideals of neighborliness, mutual help
fulness and community solidarity.
One of the outstanding accomplish
ments of the Takoma Park Associa-
ton was securing incorporation OF
that section of the town lying in Mary
land. Several of the members OF
the association became mayors or
members of the Town Council. Many
members of the Town Council since
have been active participants in the
organization. In 1898 the name was
changed to the Public Welfare ASso-
citation of Takoma Park. The final
change in name came in 1897, when
the title, Takoma Park Citizens As
sociation was adopted and has been
retained to this date.
Water System Obtained.
The town water system was CON-
pleted, and the association celebrated
x,;+1, t1a oft Nf
on February %, 1901. this event. In
January, 1908. campaign was
launched to secure a branch library
for Takoma Park, this time being
Joined by the Takoma Club and Lii
brary and officials of the Washington
Public Library. This was accom-
plished, and monthly the association
meets in this building, which through
out the years of its existence has been
a most popular place for neighborhood
gatherings and is one of the real
community centers.
The efforts of the association re-
suited in extension of water, sewer
and gas mains and later electricity.
Street Improvements increased from
year to year and better school facili-
ties have been and are now being
stressed with view to the future.
The Brightwood Association at one
time looked after the interests of citi-
Eens from. Florida avenue, to the Dis
trict line and the broad expanse on
either side of Georgia avenue, for
neriy Bright avenue and in its ear
iier days the old Seventh street pike.
1t was along this highway that
the old Red Bird stage coaches
used to furnish for years the only
means of transportation to and from
the center of the Nations Capital.
Later the Brightwood Railway Co. was
chartered by Congress, horses being
used at first and later being substi-
tuted by electricity. For many years
the Brightwood Park Citizens ASso-
citation played an active part in the
upbuilding of that section, headed by
its president, William NICK. Clayton,
but this eventually was merged into
the Brightwood Citizens Association.
One of the pioneer presidents of the
association was William v. Cox, later
a president of the Washington Board
of Trade. His vast estate on Georgia
avenue in the center of Brightwood,
of more than passing historic interest,
should be retained, in the opinion of
citizens, as community center play
ground. The location Of a branch
of the Washington Public Library on
one corner, facing Georgia avenue, Is
being advocated in this connection.
Active in Getting Schools.
The association has always carried
on an active campaign for public
schools and the latest structures are
the new Brightwood School and the
Paul Junior High School.
In addition to paved streets, electric
lighting system and modern sidewalks
which credit is due the organization
for the present uptodate police sta
ton, post Office, improvement of Fort
Stevens. betterment of street railway
systems and modernizing of fire de-
partment for the Brightwood section
At the present time efforts are being
made to secure appropriations for a
new fire house on the site of the pres
ent one on Georgia avenue, which
houses No. % Engine Company and
No. II Truck Company. The latest
type extension ladder, motor driven
equipment for the truck company is
also being sought to go with the new
structure. The erection of a rostrum
on the battle-ground National Gene
terry, opposite Walter Reed Hospital
was another accomplishment of the
association and here annually for the
past So years Memorial day exercises
have been held jointly with the Grand
Army Of the Republic.