p. 17 | The Purchase of Land at Takoma Park

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jan 5, 1905

The Purchase of Land at Takoma Park

By William Worthington Prescott

IN the spring of 1904 the trustees of the Review and Herald Publishing Association and the representatives of the General Conference united in making an offer for a certain portion of land at Takoma Park, D. C., being a part of what is known as the “Thornton tract.” This tract was in the hands of trustees representing the court; and as a portion of the land desired was in the District of Columbia, and a portion just across the District line, in the corporate limits of Takoma Park, Md., it was necessary that the sale should be confirmed both by the District court and by the Maryland court.

On the twenty-third day of June, Justice Anderson, in the District court, confirmed the sale of that portion of land lying in the District. An appeal was taken from this decision by counsel representing a certain portion of the heirs to the property, and the matter was taken to the Court of Appeals of the District.

The sale of that part of the land lying in Maryland was confirmed by the court of Montgomery County, Maryland, in September. The same heirs took an appeal also from this decision, to the Court of Appeals of Maryland.

In this litigation neither the Review and Herald Publishing Association nor the General Conference has appeared as a principal party. The differences were between the heirs themselves, some of whom favored the acceptance of the offer made, and others opposed it. The heirs were thus divided into two parties, each of which was represented in court by its own counsel.

After the case had progressed as stated above, disinterested third parties, especially the mayor of Takoma Park, made an effort to bring about an amicable settlement between the two parties at variance, in order that the litigation might be brought to a close, and the property sold according to the original offer.

As a result of several conferences, an agreement was finally reached, based upon substantially the original conditions, but with a slight variation as to the exact amount of land included in the sale. The whole matter was brought to a conclusion last week, and the deeds to the property were duly executed.

The land included in the sale is that portion on the map which is within the heavy black lines. An examination of the map will show that this property is located two blocks from the Baltimore and Ohio Railway station, on the main line of the B. & O. R. R. from Washington to Chicago. It is the same distance from the terminus of the electric line to the business center of the city of Washington, which is about six miles to the south.

On the eight lots south of the District line, and facing Willow Avenue, will be located the Review and Herald printing plant, with such other buildings as the association may require. It is expected that this plant will be erected during the coming season.

On the four lots south of the District line, and facing Laurel Avenue, will be erected the building for the offices of the General Conference and Mission Board. This building will be forty by sixty feet, three stories in height, and will contain ample room for the offices of all the different departments of the General Conference.

On the triangular piece of land bounded by the District line, Carroll Avenue, and Laurel Avenue, it is expected that a church building will be erected in due time. It is probable that the remainder of this portion will be reserved for a lawn.

The lots on the north side of Carroll Avenue, continuing through to Tulip Avenue, will be suitable for residence purposes.

The whole lot comprises nearly five acres, about one third of it being in the District of Columbia and two thirds in the town of Takoma Park, Montgomery Co., Md.

By this purchase a rural location is obtained for both the Review and Herald printing plant and the General Conference offices, with all the conveniences for mail, telegraph, express, and

freight for the expeditious transaction of business.

The fifty-acre tract purchased for sanitarium and school purposes is located about fifteen minutes’ walk northeast of the land just acquired, and thus the different institutions located at Takoma Park are within easy access of each other.

Plans are now being drawn for the General Conference office building, which will be erected at once. It is expected that this will be completed and occupied before the meeting of the General Conference in May, thus providing a suitable place for the transaction of business connected with the General Conference. W. W. P.