Evening star., 1940-04-25
1akoma Park Marks
5Oth Anniversary Of
lis Incorporation
Horse and Buggy Days
Of Town Recalled
At Celebration


buggy" days were revived at the
golden jubilee celebration observing
the 50th anniversary of the incor-
poration of the town of Takoma
Park, Md, last night in the fire.
house.
The Hatch Act was only one of
many changes which the town had
undergone in its history, Mayor
John R. Adams explained, but de-
spite its provisions barring Govern
ment employees from participating
in politics, the town will continue
to progress. The Mayor is one of
the town officials barred by the act
from seeking reelection.
THE requirements OF the act will
prove a hardship to the town, -
Mayor Adams said, but as it grows
older it will find men who will as
sumo the responsibilities of these
Offices"
The Mayor described the rough
and rugged roads in the horse-and-
buggy days in Takoma, with its oil
street lamps and a population of a
few hundred citizens 1t rapidly
became community of home own
ers, permanent streets and sidewalks
were constructed and modern school
buildings have replaced the old
frame structures. There has been
no phenomenal growth. but a steady,
substantial one,. he SAID.
Recalls Early Days.
Mayor John B. Kinnear, who
served as Councilman and was
Mayor from 1902 to 1906, was pres
ent and related some of the early
historic events, including the manner
in which laws were passed incorpo-
rating the town. At that time he
was treasurer of the Takoma Park
improvement Association, known at
present as the Takoma Park Md
D. c. Citizens Association, and
was appointed on the committee
to plan for the incorporation, which
was accomplished on April 8, 1890.
He told hof the town borrowed
5000 for street Improvements and
later $4,000 for water system;
$4,000 for sewer construction and
$4,000 for permanent sidewalks in
the town. ts..s--4ss.- z i
Another early settler present was
E. E. Blodgett, who celebrated his
50th year with the community last
night. He served IA years on the
Council, was superintendent Of pub
lie works for Is years and at the
same time acted as chief of police
wor 10 years.
DR.. Frederick L. Lewton, Mayor
from 1926, made short address
and paid tribute to Mayor Adams,
who served Is years as a Council
man and the past four years as
Mayor.
Greetings From Former Mayor.
Former Councilman L. R. Grabill
told OF the building of the high
ways and the water and sewer sys-
tenn problem during his Is years
service on the board. A telegram
was read from former Mayor James
L. Wilmeth, who was director of
the Bureau of Engraving and Print
ing. In extending congratulations
he said that "his experience as
Mayor was one of his happiest
recollections and that the people of
Takoma Park constituted an exem-
plary citizenship" Greetings were
extended to H. E. Rogers, who served
26 years as Councilman, and E. v.
Crittenden, who served a short time
on the body, commended the work
OF his associates in past years.
Mayor Adams lauded Howard S.
Fisk, an early resident of Takoma
Park, for his long newspaper service
and interest in civic affairs, as cor
respondent of The Evening Star.
Mr.. Fisk described news gathering
In the barren-settled suburbs. Farm
lands extended from Park road to
the District line and Takoma Park
had population of 500 citizens, he
said. A shuttle" car operated be-
tween Takoma Park and the old
Seventh Street pike, now Georgia
avenue, connecting with "Tooner-
vile" trolley line which ran to Flor
ida avenue. He paid tribute to
mayors and councilmen who had
contributed to the development and
upbuilding of the town and the high
type of officials who served during
the pioneer days.
The Rev. Charles S. Longacre de-
liyered the invocation and hepedic-
ton. Songs were sung by the glee
club from the Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Missionary College. There
were solos by Frederick H. Pratt
and Miss Eva Owens