Evening star., 1943-08-01
BY. John Clagett Proctor.

The Soldiers Home of this city, to the
average Washingtonian who has resided
here for somewhat more than half a
century, means place of great beauty
and charm, place where one can drive
over 10 miles of macadam roads and
rest his soul all the way Where is the
old resident, indeed whose hair is
whitened with time and whose step is
just a little slower, whose mind does not
wander back to the days of his youth
and to this noted reservation and Its
historic landmarks?
Especially to those who resided in the
northern part of town it produced An
irresistible urge in their youth, for here
were to be found shellbarks walnuts,
chestnuts and persimmons, in parts of
the grounds sufficiently remote from the
few guards who protected the property
and kept the boys from damaging the
trees and shrubbery.
OF course, the boys of that period
never played hockey from school-or if
SO, they never later admitted it to their
children--but upon many occasions they
undoubtedly had considerable explaining
to do to their parents as to just how
their hands became discolored with wal
nut stains. Sometimes their stories were
believed and sometimes they were not,
the result being flogging. But regard
less of the whipping administered, many
outlived the punishment, and continued
to joggle along in their youthful days,
with the result that today many are
highly respected citizens; proving the
fact that stains on the hands are not so
lasting as stains on ones character.
Ice Skating on Lakes
The lakes, which you may still see to-
day within the western part of the
grounds, just off Park road then known
as Whitney avenue, were a favorite
place for skating In the wintertime
when ice was sufficiently thick for this
purpose. The skaters would build a
fire close to the edge of the lakes to keep
themselves warm when not cutting
figure eights and performing other diff
cult feats on the ice, and If a boy were
missing from the Prescott, or some other
nearby school, when skating was at its
best, he could usually be found up here
or at Babcock's Lake in the Monument
Grounds. Both were ideal places for
the sport.
Ffty-f1ve or sixty years or longer
makes a difference in neighborhood.
Fields and commons then prevailed in
this section of the city and only few
houses were to be seen. Butchers were
the principal residents along Seventh
street pike-now dignif1ed with the name
of Georgia avenue. To the northwest
and west of the home, for some distance,
the houses could be counted on ones
fingers, and to the south as far as
Florida avenue only few homes were
standing.
In Petworth, to the north of the home
and Rockville Greek Church road-per-
haps the largest subdivision in the Dis
trict, there was scarcely house. And
1t was a desolate spot, the soil being con-
siderably mixed with gravel. No one
seemed to want to farm 1t or even take
care of 1t, and in appearance it bore all
the ideal characteristics of farm suit
able for raising hoop poles and persim-
mons. ..-.
At very early date in Washington
history, Petworth belonged to John Tay-
loe, one of the citys wealthiest residents
and the builder of the Octagon, still
standing at the northeast corner of
Eighteenth street and New York avenue.
1t was here that President Madison made
his residence for short time after the
British burned Washington. Col. Tayloe
was much interested in raising race
horses, and used his Petworth farm for
this purpose. As early as 1903, 1t is said,
he received as much as $500 for one
Of his winning horses, which was a
large sum for that period. Petworth was
later owned by Benjamin Ogle Tayloe,
John Tayloe's son.
Dates Back to 1929
There is quite history regarding SOL
diers Home that runs as far back as
February 81, 1929, when report was
made by the Committee on Military
Affairs in Congress upon the subject of
establishing "An Army Asylum Fund"
In l840, Capt Robert Anderson set forth
the advantages which would result from
such an institution, and outlined q plan