Alexander Hamilton once owned a 301 acre tract of which Mohican Hills is a part. He and a partner bought the land in 1794 shortly after it was known that the National Capital would be located in this general area. It was sold by the partner after the Hamilton-Burr duel. In 1889, two brothers – Edwin and Edward Baltzley – came down from Philadelphia and bought a tract of farm land comprising what i
s now Glen Echo and Glen Echo Heights. The hill top along what is now upper Dahlonega Road had been used as a lookout post for the Union forces during the Civil War and, according to legend, to establish a clear view across the Potomac to Virginia, the hill had been denuded of trees all the way down to the river. The Baltzley brothers were familiar with residential developments on the Hudson River above New York City, and along the Rhine River in Germany, and felt that the relatively high ground along the Potomac in this area made it ideal for a similar community. In 1891, they
issued a brochure describing in highblown language the scenic beauties overlooking the river, and its potential for becoming a cultural and educational center near the Nation's Capital. As a first step toward attracting visitors to the area, the brothers erected the "Grand Cafe" – a large, rambling structure built almost entirely of cedar logs – opposite Sycamore Island. Tally-ho parties were organized to drive out the narrow, winding dirt road overlaying the Washington Aqueduct (Conduit Road– now Mac Arthur Boulevard) to have dinner and dance at the "Grand Cafe," and to be regaled with the beauties of life in Glen Echo Heights. Two large stone residences were pictured in the brochure and later built. These are the stone houses facing what is now MacArthur Boulevard at Mohican Road. Sale of lots began in 1891 at fantastically high prices. The cultural aspect of the Baltzley's dream was to establish a Chautauqua – then a popular educational activity – attract the best lecturers and finest musicians, and thus make Glen Echo a cultural center for the nation. Lots – situated on roads laid out in arcs following the contours of the land, and given Indian names – sold well. Doctors, professors, artists, and others scattered all over the Mid-West and East, who pictured themselves spending their years after retirement amid the scenic and cultural beauties as shown in the brochure, were drawn to the area. Work was rushed on the Chautauqua itself. A great stone amphitheater with a capacity of 6,000 and a stage seating 500 people was built; another large stone building called the Hall of Philosophy was begun nearby. But in 1890, the Grand Cafe burned to the ground, and while the Baltzleys immediately sold the land, including the site of the present Glen Echo Park and part of the village site to the local Chautauqua Association – which they no doubt organized – it was at a considerable financial loss to themselves. Nevertheless, the grand opening of the Chautauqua took place in June of 1891, with nationally famous Dr. Dewitt Talmadge as the principal speaker. Clara Barton, founder of the Red Cross, was one of the
backers of the organization; President Benjamin Harrison bought a five-acre tract of land on the hills across Conduit Road facing the Chautauqua. It looked for a time as though the Baltzleys' dream might be realized. But they were ahead of the times. Traveling back and forth to Washington in that pre-automobile day was a major problem. The electric railway company was induced to build a branch line from Tenleytown on Wisconsin Avenue to Walhonding Road, but it stopped at the intersection with Conduit Road. Even this was a long, time-consuming trip. It was simply too far from Washington for the horse-and-buggy days, and the car line was too slow. It was never extended beyond Walhonding Road, and carriages had to take the trolley passengers on to the Chautauqua. By 1903, the Chautauqua was bankrupt, and its property was sold soon after. Later the streetcar company bought it and transformed it into the Glen Echo Amusement Park, using the big, circular amphitheater as a fun house until later , when it was condemned. Following the failure of the Chautauqua, the original plan to put in a water system and good streets was not carried out. Distant and scattered lot owners gave up the idea of building; the area did not become popular locally, perhaps because of a rumor supposedly spread by real-estate developers in Chevy Chase that living near the River at this point was a serious health hazard because of malaria! It was not until after the first World War that new families began to move into the Heights, and a renaissance set in. A few years later, residents of the area bordering on Mohican, Wiscasset and Dahlonega Roads
adopted the name Mohican Hills.
