Evening star., 1951-03-18

avenue, Illinois avenue, the WlQen-
ing, grading. macadamizing. and
finally the asphalting of Georgia
avenue, represent but a few of the
highway activities Of the asso-
citation.
In 1891 the Brightwood School
was but a four-room building, but
through the energy of the School
Committee, this was early made
an eight-room structure.
For years after the Brightwood
Association was formed there was
no other similar organization
north of Florida avenue, and many
of the improvements enjoyed to-
day can be traced to its efforts.
Since then number Of other citi-
zens' associations have been or
ganized around it who have found
much of the pioneer work already
done for them.
Few people who take advantage
of the splendid National Park
driveways realize that Mr.. Cox,
who was president of the aSsocia-
ton when this great project was
put through, with the cooperation
and assistance of Gen. Lansing H.
Beach, then Engineer Commis-
sioner of the District, was respon-
sible, on behalf of the people OF
Brightwood, for the beautiful
driveway which bears the name OF
one of Washington's most capable
and interested Engineer Commits
sioners- then simply Capt. Beach
as well as for the reservoir
which occupied a part Of the old
Brightwood race track.
William NICK. Clayton OF
Brightwood Park was the flrst
president Of the Federation OF
Citizens Associations. Through
his indefatigable efforts, Mr.. Clay
ton helped obtain a reduction IN
local streetcar fares. and he de-
voted his efforts to the entire
District.
Fort Stevens Tract
Mr.. Cox, a banker and once
president Of the Board of Trade,
and active in other civic affairs
generally, seeing the deplorable
conditions of Fort Stevens site,
where Lincoln stood under fire.
and whose father. an officer in the
Civil War, died in the Southland.
bought the Fort Stevens tract, and
later sold it to the Government
and saved it from subsequent OBJ
liberation.
Louis P. Shoemaker. who sue
ceeded Mr.. Cox was born in the
vicinity of Cloverdale near Pierce'S
Mill, and he gave much of his time
while president of the association
working for legislation toward the
Government acquiring this pic
turesque part of Washington. He
was greatly beloved and his death
caused universal sorrow.
| Some of the early improvements
in the Brightwood area included
the asphalting of Georgia avenue
from Webster street to Piney
Branch road at cost of about
s122 900, which was one of the
largest single items for paving
ever made.
| The 9th Army Corps later
marked the spot where Lincoln
stood on those July days of 1864.
when the Capital was threatened
| by the Confederate troops under
Gen. Jubal Early.
| If there is now any question OF
the exact geographical position Of
Brightwood 81 years ago there
were few people residing in the
District of Columbia who did
not try to reach its vicinity on
those memorable July days.
| Shortly after the beginning Of
the Civil War troops from the
7th and 10th Massachusetts, Regi-
ments, the I'd Rhode Island and
the 36th New York were stationed
in Brightwood, and what later be-
came known as Fort Stevens was
called Fort Massachusetts,, in
honor of the Bay State troops. AS
this fortified position grew in mil
itary Importance, its name was
changed to Fort Stevens, in honor
of Gen. Isaac I. Stevens, colonel
Iof the 10th New York Highlanders,
and later Maj. Gen. Volunteers.
who was killed at the battle of
Chantilly, September /, 1862, hav-
ing in his hands the colors of his
own HighlanderS.