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[[images]] Civic Organizations of Anacostia Ancostia as it stands today, is comprised of several formerly isolated and distinct communities. This community is what was earlier know and sometimes is still referred to by the older settlers, as Barry Farms. These communities have offered many challenges to groups of civic minded persons. It is upon the basis of these geographical boundaries that the Civic Organizations have been organized. The Civic groups are The Hillsdale Civic Association, The Barry Farms Civic Association, The Barry Farms Residents Council, The Carver Civic Association, and The Eric Heights Civic Association, Inc. The Hillsdale Civic Association The community of Hillsdale began about April 1868 in a territory that was a wilderness. The fifty original families that settled in the community felt the need to organize some type of civic group. Many of the settlers were from the South and had very excellent education training. However, they were not able to organize until about 15 years after the community had been settled. Soloman G. Brown was one of the most progressive citizens and was very much interested in organizing a civic group. Mr. Brown called a group of citizens together and after much discussion, the Hillsdale Civic Association was organized. The first president of the organization was Mr. Allen F. Jackson. In later years some of the presidents were Mr. Charles Howard, Mr. Ivy Brown, Mr. John H. Wilson, Mr. John H. Dale, Mrs. Nellie Southall, Mr. Mercer Sampson, and Mr. Henry Wesley. This association worked very hard to improve the community, especially trying to get streets and sewers. The Hillsdale Civic Association urged the D.C. Commissioners to cut streets but the people were not willing in some areas to give property to the Government for these streets. After much discussion two members, Mr. Elzie Hoffman and Mr. Samuel Jones,decided that it was necessary to form another organization to help fight for their needs. They called this organization the Barry Farms Civic Association. Mr. Hoffman served as president until his death. The Civic Associations continued their long struggle to get streets, lights, and sewers. Finally the Hillsdale Civic Association was successful in getting hard surfaced roads which didn't cost the taxpayers any large amount of money. The Civic Associations have continued to encourage and urge the strengthening of the education program in Hillsdale. Through the many years the Civic Associations have brought adequate fire and police protection to the citizens, and have fought continuously to bring better schools and housing to this area. W.A. Patterson Documented interview with Mr. Howard and Mr. Dale. *** The Barry Farms Civic Association The Barry Farms Civic Association has had a significant part in the development of the Anacostia area. In the summer of 1904, Mr. Elzie Hoffman with several other land owners of the area, who felt the need of organized civic efforts, formed a unit to work for the improvement of this section. The organization functioned during the re- Page 6
