As most of the original homeowners in Oakview will attest, breaking ground for a garden patch, or a new shrub or trees, was backbreaking work. As we alternately pounded our spades into the soil, cursed and pounded some more, we wondered what kind of land we had purchased. Was it all clay? Rumor had it that part of Oakview was once a racetrack! The following is a history of Oakview, which was unearthed in 1956.
Late in the civil war, a Mr. W.W. Rapley purchased some 982 acres of forestland, which covered all of the present day Oakview from South Dilston Road to what is now the George Meaney Center. This used to be the Xaverian College grounds. The land was gradually cleared during the latter half of the 19th century and planted with crops of wheat, corn, hay, and grain. A large house, surrounded by magnificent oaks was built in the area of Cahart Place. These oaks remain as one of the few reminders of the past.
In the late 19th century, Washington’s elite could be seen on many Saturday nights, driving up to the mansion in sleek carriages, via a winding path, now known as Avenel Road. After the Rapley family purchased an interest in the old National Theater, stage personalities joined the high ranking government officials at the gala events held at the Rapley home.
By the turn of the century, cattle roamed the fields and some 50 thoroughbred horses graced the many barns surrounding the mansion. A small racetrack was built in the general area around South Dilston and Braddock Roads. The land south of the Rapley Estates was part of a tract called “Hard Struggle” and had been purchased late in the 19th Century, by Mr. W.R. Smith. A Scotsman of the Cameron family, he named the area “Cameronia,” and built a house that was burned several years later. Mr. Smith planted some exotic trees, some of which still remain.
Each spring, the rolling fields of Cameronia became a mecca for picnickers who followed Sligo Creek to Carroll Avenue, then over to Brown’s Corner (Piney Branch and University Blvd.) The more adventurous continued on the path along Piney Branch to Avenel Road. Many hiked as far as the large barn on top of the hill (site of the Good Shepherd Methodist Church) from which they could survey the Rapley farm. Some even wandered down to the track to watch the horses perform over the steeplechase hurdles.
The beginning of modern Oakview took place shortly after the end of World War II. One of the many picnickers, Mr. Ernest Brandt, decided to make this area his home and approached Mr. James Hyslop, who had purchased Cameronia in 1918. Although Mr. Hyslop did not wish to split one acre, he agreed to sell 12 acres, which were duly purchased by Mr. Brandt and nine other World War II veterans living in Silver Spring. The plot was divided into relatively equal sections and the first Oakview Citizens Association meeting took place in the Brandt home (the corner of Stateside Drive and Avenel Road) for the purpose of dividing the area. The ex-soldiers cleared the heavily wooded area, and name their street “Stateside Drive.”
In 1948, the Light Construction Company purchased the entire Rapley tract and the bulldozers began construction of the Oakview subdivision. The first houses extended on both sides of Oakview Drive, which was paved down to Braddock Road. Although paving ended here in 1950, houses were built on either side of Dilston Road running north from what is presently Oakview Drive to what was to become Moffet Road. The rest of the story is too well known to need retelling. A short list would include the rapid building of the remaining houses, the birth of the Oakview Citizens Association, the fight for the Brookview School, and then losing the school due to the reduction of young children in the neighborhood. We must also include the building of the Oakview Pool, the Ride on Bus service, the 4th of July parades and fireworks, the people of the community. These and numerous other activities have made the community what it is today. Oakview is a family oriented community with an interesting history.