Evening star., 1945-09-09
BY John Clagett Proctor

~ cSAAAA NAe%SS L AOSSSA
The razing of the old Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad depot at Silver Spring
began several weeks ago, and on its site
is to be erected larger and more i'm
posing station, more in keeping with
the greatly increased traffic on this line.
Known as the Metropolitan branch, it
was first opened to Point of Rocks, Md,
in 1870, and no doubt the old station
was erected soon afterward. For some
years it has been of considerable con-
venience to persons residing in the far
northern part of the city, who were
bound westwardly, and for this reason
the old landmark will be recalled, not
only by Washingtonians and the people
residing in nearby Maryland, but also
by those who just visited the city and
found it convenient and desirable to
travel along this route.
Georgetown Rivalry
At the time this branch line was in
contemplation there was, apparently,
considerable rivalry between the people
of Washington and what was then the
city of Georgetown which was sep
arate municipality up until 1871. The
line had been incorporated by the Leg
islature of Maryland on May 3, 1858, as
the Metropolitan Railroad Co., to make
a railroad from or near the Point OF
Rocks to Georgetown, and the project
so appealed to the boards of aldermen
and common council of Georgetown that
on June IL, 1883 the mayor OF that
city was authorized to subscribe for five
thousand shares of stock, equal to
s25oOOO in the company, and David
English, Evan Lyons, of the Lyons Mil
family: Robert P. Dodge, William H.
Fades and Walter S. Cox, "or ma
jority of them. were appointed to vote
the stock of the town"
The first installment Of $4,000 upon
the stock was promptly paid, but since
Mayor Henry Addison declined to sign
the bonds tsr the second payment,
Georgetown, apparently, became no
longer interested in the project, and as
the road was to be completed in five
years ,from4the date of its charter, which
was not done, the charter became for
feited.
But this was not to- be. the, end of
the Metropolitan Railroad, for the Balti-
more & Ohio had no intention of giV-
ing up the idea of connecting WASH
ington directly with the Western States,
and thus to greatly shorten the route
for its freight and travellers. And 1t IS
also said that the growing Importance
of the West and the influence in Con-
gress of members from that section was
no doubt controlling motive with the
railroad company, and the public, too,
in keeping the matter alive, as we can
see by the following excerpts from
Washington newspaper of about 1866,
which said:
In the present stagnation of buSi-
ness, we are glad to be able to con-
gratulate this community upon the pros
pect of the immediate commencement OF
an enterprise that will not only furnish
employment to a large number of our
citizens, and cause the expenditure of
large amount of money in our midst,
but that will open up to us business
connections and an extent of trade that
If rightly improved will enable us
promptly to take position amongst the
thriving business communities of the
country.
To Point of Rocks
"It is understood that if satisfactory
right of way be granted by this city
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Co. will
at once commence the construction of
the road from Washington to the Point
of Rocks and that it will employ large
amount of labor for the prosecution
of the work in the immediate vicinity
of Washington. 1t is the design of the
company to press the construction of
the road from Washington to Rockville
as rapidly as practicable so as to open
for local business, and the convenience
of the people of the City of Washing
ton and Montgomery County, Md, a
line of travel from that point, as well as
to afford facilities for the transportation
of marketing and other supplies. 1t will
be the policy of the railroad company,
we learn, to afford every facility to in
duce the location of large population
upon the route between Washington and
the Point of Rocks, SO as to develop an
extensive local business.
"In every way it is felt to be matter
of the first Importance to the interests
of this community that the road should
enter Washington in direct line, and
not circuitously via Laurel or Bladens-
burg. We learn that the company,
yielding to the urgent representations
made by Mayor Wallach in behalf of
the interests of this city, have ex-
pressed willingness to change their
plans and enter the city by the direct
route If the requisite enabling legislation
can be had from our City Councils in
season not to delay the work upon the
road.
"They propose that the road shall
enter the city at the intersection of the
northern boundary and New York ave-
nue.. crossing the avenue and passing
through the northwest corner of square
ITO to First street east, thence along the
center of that street to the present
track of the Washington branch of the
Baltimore 81 Ohio Railroad, and alons
the route of that track to the present
station on the east side of New Jerse!
avenue.
"As regards the location of the station
no place could probably be found tina
would accommodate the people of al
parts of the city, as well as the presen
station of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail
road The position is central, street