Evening star., 1940-01-21
Kaorama Once Part of Homead Estae Visited Distinguished
Presidents
And Literary
Folk Guests
Custavus Scott in
Early Days Had
Home There
By John CIageft Proctor.

~'es' 0S~ASSs .
To the early Washingtonian. Kalo-
rama is a well-known part Of the
Nations Capital, but to the younger
generation, or to those who have not
resided here very long. the word
may mean substantially nothing.
But to the older residents Kalorama
is more than a mere name, for it is
one of the oldest places in the Dis
trict Of Columbia, and its history is
as attractive and as interesting as
those Of any of the early estates
around Washington.
Sixty years ago and more, Kalo-
rama and Little's Woods, both in the
vicinity Of Washington Heights, were
well-known recreation places, and
many a grandfather and grand
mother still living in this city can re-
call when, as little children, they
attended in the summertime Sunday
school picnics in the woods of these
rural places bordering Rock Greek,
and a reference here to the enor-
nous cans Of ice cream, the high
rope swings and the large omni-
buses which took them to the
grounds will undoubtedly bring
smiles to many a careworn face, as
they reflect upon those good old
days of long ago which can never
return.
At an early date. Kalorama be-
longed to Anthony Holmead, and at
the time the city of Washington
was laid out, this large land owner
was living on his estate, in q resi-
dence he called Rock Hill.
Part Of Widows Mite.
This estate was originally part Of
q tract Of land called Widows Mite,
and as such was granted in 1864 to
John Langworth. It then contained
some 600 acres and the part south Of
Florida avenue and within the city
lines was later given the name of
"James his Park"-the name under
which it was held by Holmead when
he agreed with the other proprietors
to transfer, under certain conditions,
their lands to the Federal Govern
ment.
In 1894 or 17s5, Holmead sold the
mansion house and about 40 acres
of land to Gustavus Scott, who had
been made one of the commissioners
to superintend the erection of the
public buildings here. His career
was an honorable one. He was dis
tinguished lawyer, and during the
period Of the American Revolution
rendered valuable service to the
cause Of independence. He was a
member Of the Association Of the
Freemen of Maryland. which decided
In July, ITS, to throw of the pro-
prietary power and assume provi-
sional government. Later, he assist
ed in framing the constitution Of
Maryland in 1776, and subsequently
served in the State Assembly. and
dn 1884 was sent as delegate to the
Continental Congress. BE-
Although his political career was
rs resident Of Maryland, his BIRTH
place was in Prince William County,
Va, his father having been a Scot
tish Episcopal clergyman who settled
In that State in $780, In 1828-it
may seem ridiculous, but it is true,
nevertheless-the credit of the Cen
eral Government was so low while
Scott was one of the commissioners,
that his own bond was required from
the State of Maryland for money
lent to complete the Nations public
buildings.
Chiseled Name.
Being the son of Scotsman, he
naturally inherited some of his faith
er's Scottish thrift, and as evidence
of this he is said to have adapted to
his own use as a kitchen door step
the rejected keystone of the then new
K street bridge. On this his name
was chiseled, but since even stone
will wear out, this inscription also
finally vanished under the tread Of
many feet.
Although Gustavus Scott was
thrifty, he was not particularly for
tunate in his investments, as we
might well Judge from letter dated
May 3, 1902, written by Thomas JEFF
ferson and addressed to Joel Bar
low, then residing in Paris. The let
Ger, in part, reads: There is a
most lovely seat adjoining this city
on high hill, commanding most
extensive view of the Potomac-now
for sale. A suburb house, gardens,
ETC., with 80 or 40 acres of ground.
1t will be sold under circumstances
of distress, and will probably go for
the half of what 1t has cost. It was
built by Gustavus Scott, who is dead
"a bankrupt" Scott died in WASH
tngton in 1901, most likely at Kalo-
rama.
Barlow was not quick enough and
the property was bought in by Col.
William Augustine Washington,
nephew of the first President, who