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Takoma Archives
B.F. Gilbert
BY DIANA KOHN
In 1883, Benjamin Franklin Gilbert
was one of many Washington DC real estate developers—but he
had a radical idea. Taking advantage of the new B&O Railroad
Branch line running throught the wilderness north of town,
he decided to offer families a chance to own their own home
in the "healthy" countryside.
He purchased 90 acres around a small
train station then called Brightwood six miles from downtown,
and began enthusiastically recruiting folks for his "sylvan
suburb." To that end, he created brochures and spoke at gatherings;
even paying train fare so folks would come to visit the new
Takoma Park. Here is his message, in his own words, taken
from the brochures he wrote nearly 120 years ago:
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Courtesy of Historic Takoma, Inc.
Thanks to Gilbert's tireless promotion, families began
arriving in Takoma Park and built Victorians and bungalows
and planted gardens. Gilbert's own residence was one
of the most grand, said to have cost $30,000 to build.
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There are thousands of reasons why men desire to live somewhere
away from the centre of a great city…being where trees
and grass and birds abound. Little more than five miles from
the city, Takoma Park is one of the most flourishing and desirable
places for country homes within easy reach of persons doing
business in Washington.
For the banker, the lawyer, the merchant and the clerk, no
better, cheaper or more wholesome relief from the daily cares,
toils and vexations of business can be found than that afforded
by becoming a resident of Takoma Park. The simple fact that
he has a night’s rest in the cool and quiet country,
away from the heat and noise and the noxious airs of the busy
city, is enough to add new life to a man. The nights are always
cool, and there are no mosquitoes to make it necessary to
sleep under nets.
Nature has certainly done much to make Takoma Park a most
healthful place of residence. All who attempt to live in health
ought to have good air and good water. This two elements are
in most abundant supply in Takoma. The water of Takoma Park
is of the very finest quality. It makes its appearance in
springs that are crystal-like in their clearness. The virtue
of the water simply consists in its purity.
For the convenience of our residents the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad is now many local trains to and from Washington
at almost every hour in the day and night and the low rates
of fare, all of which stop at Takoma Park. Round trip tickets
sell for twenty-five cents; monthly and quarterly tickets
are cheaper. The Company is now erecting a fine station-house.
With sagacious foresight the B&O has seen the future in
the present.
Upon arriving in Takoma Park, you find the face of the ground
is of a rolling character–enough so at least to give
a most pleasant diversity to the landscape which is covered
with a great variety of trees: pine, tulip-poplar, oak, chestnut,
maple, magnolia holly and laurel. While the growth of timber
is not large, it is of a sufficient size to produce most ample
and delightful shade.
About two years have elapsed since, taking advantage of the
natural conditions of this location, the first steps were
taken to bring it into subjection as a place of suburban residence.
It was subdivided into spacious lots with convenient streets
and avenues between. The lots have a frontage of 50 feet and
a depth of 2-300. Lots contain 10,000 to 25,000 square feet
each. Prices range from 1-1/4 to 5 centers per foot, with
terms to suit purchaser.
The elegance and comfortable appearance of the villas and
cottages of Takoma call forth the admiration of all who see
them. Much taste and pains have indeed been exercised in their
arrangement and construction. The cozy little cottage with
its inviting porch and its shingled gables, seems to speak
of quiet hours in a shady nook. The more pretentious villa,
placed upon some commanding height, gives a stronger emphasis,
perhaps, to such thoughts. Those who are already there take
evident pleasure in beautifying their immediate surroundings
by preparing lawns, walks, flower-beds, setting out hedges
and making gardens.
Yet, the cost of each dwelling is quite moderate, ranging
generally from one to five thousand dollars. Several villas
are more expensive and will cost, when completed, from 10
to 15 thousand dollars.
A very moderate income will enable you to become the owner
of your own home at Takoma Park. If you are a Department Clerk,
I ask you to look over your rent account, investigate the
advantage of a house in Takoma, and see if the amount you
must necessarily pay out for rent would not soon give you
a house of your own in that delightful suburb. Take into consideration,
also, the keeping of a cow, the raising of chickens, and the
garden-spot, and living expense is brought down to a low figure.
Takoma Park is a success. It has come to stay. It has energy
and thrift heretofore unknown in any other suburb of Washington.
Vital force is exhibited on every hand in the many improvements
that are continually going forward.
There is no better investment either for homes or profit
than the villa lots of Takoma Park. While there has been a
lull in the demand for real estate in and about Washington,
building improvements in Takoma have been steadily on the
increase. In accordance with the inevitable laws of trade,
the steady growth affords an absolute guarantee of a rapid
increase in the value of Takoma Park real estate.
All in all, the most satisfactory manner for those who are
interested to become acquainted with the attractions of Takoma
is to visit the place.
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