Rich Schaffer
09-22-2008, 04:34 PM
(....Life is not always politics.) Almost 20 years ago I found this image in a local archive and stored it away until this past summer, when I gave a copy to Jim Embry, who has shared it with several DC fire history buffs. In an effort to find the location and hopefully restore and recognize this memorial to the last DC fire horse I have contacted nearly every offical in every form of local interest: The Historical Society of Washington, The Oldest Inhabitants, DCPL, several key-note authors and historians (including James Goode, who wrote a complete history of all DC memorials and sculpture in the 70's), but so far no one knows where this was or what has become of it.
We know it was located in Blue Plains, which then was a vast area, though the "farm" today is much smaller. The background elevation (less than 750 feet) is the same range extended that makes up Bald Eagle Park, I believe, therfore it seems the memorial was in vicinity of 395 or perhaps as far off as the impound lot. More than likely it is where the farm pasture was, in Blue Plains, which is now mostly DC Village- or perhaps even as far as the sewage plant. I believe the river would have been behind the photographer. Sadly, it is probably lost, but with the weather getting cooler I hope some of you will take the time to scout around for this memorial, which marks the spot where Tom was buried in 1937. More info if I can find it to come or pm me if you want to put together a day trip to look around. I know a mayor staffer that can probably get us into most of the "off-limits" areas. If someone could post an image of Tom and the DCFD's "last running of the horses" that would be great.
We know it was located in Blue Plains, which then was a vast area, though the "farm" today is much smaller. The background elevation (less than 750 feet) is the same range extended that makes up Bald Eagle Park, I believe, therfore it seems the memorial was in vicinity of 395 or perhaps as far off as the impound lot. More than likely it is where the farm pasture was, in Blue Plains, which is now mostly DC Village- or perhaps even as far as the sewage plant. I believe the river would have been behind the photographer. Sadly, it is probably lost, but with the weather getting cooler I hope some of you will take the time to scout around for this memorial, which marks the spot where Tom was buried in 1937. More info if I can find it to come or pm me if you want to put together a day trip to look around. I know a mayor staffer that can probably get us into most of the "off-limits" areas. If someone could post an image of Tom and the DCFD's "last running of the horses" that would be great.