Just above Georgetown, Tenleytown is the Top of the Town

Source: The Georgetown Dish

Link: http://www.thegeorgetowndish.com/thedish/just-above-georgetown-tenleytown-top-town

Georgetown has its history as a Maryland tobacco port founded in 1751 on the banks of the Potomac River. It has its famous residents, its inimitable style and historic ambience.

It’s impossible to compete with Georgetown, but Tenleytown made some points Saturday when it inaugurated its own Heritage Trail, titled “Top of the Town” -- a spot in Ft. Reno Park, that is the highest point in the District.

Cultural Tourism’s self-guided Heritage Trails have led walkers through the history and culture of the District of Columbia. On Saturday, the 11th Heritage Trail markers were uncovered that would lead visitors to “Top of the Town.”

With Linda Harper, the executive director of Cultural Tourism, presiding in warm, sunny, fall weather, a large crowd gathered at the Ft. Reno bandstand to hear some of the national and local history recorded on the 19 illustrated markers. The easy, three-mile walk, highlights the many landmarks, events and changes that make Tenleytown special. These include the TV studio that hosted the second Nixon-Kennedy debate and where Kermit the Frog was introduced, Reno City, a once thriving working-class community of African-Americans and whites, Grant Road, the winding, still-almost-rural trail, and the many churches, schools, farms and businesses that have come and gone as well as still stand.

Joining Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh with remarks from the bandstand were Judith Beck Helm, author of Tenleytown, D.C.: Country Village to City Neighborhood, (thebasic book on the neighborhood), media personalities Chirs Gordon of NBC4 and Rebecca Sheir of WAMU and Gabe Klein, director of the District Department of Transportation, one of the main supporters of the Trails.  A band from Middle C Music, the only full-service music store in the District and a proud Tenleytown business, entertained the crowd.