Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-07-30
CHANGES IN WASHINGTON AND THE
MEN WHO EFFECT THEM

few years years 500 the northeastern
section Of this city rejoiced in the euphonious
coenomen Of "Swampoodle," and ep6pyed an
unenviable reputation in the police annals
from the frequent breaches of the peacG6mongs,
the people who then occupied and ouatrolled
this beautiful ports0n OF u Metropolis. A
walk through this locality shows what mighty
changes few years can effect in the charac-
ter and value of neighborhoods, if the improve
ments are OF a nature to secure good popula-
ton; and this section of the city will now con-
trast very favorably in buildings and other
Improvements with any other. locality, even
with those in the tnickiy built up portion.
The most striking disqualification of this
fact is brought to our notice by a recent visit
in the neighborhood Of the Governme emit Print
ing Once. Persons familiar with this region
will re collect the large square Of groun nd lying
between the Printing Office and St. Alovsius
Church. which, a year ago, was occupied as q
Germ field by the reverend fathers of ST. Alloy
sius, and which did not give much promise of
great or extended improvements. In this
square there are now finished and in course
OF erection nifty three-story brick dwellings
aggregating in cost S25O,0J0; all new style
houses, and ranging in price and finish to suit
different grades of purchasers. The square
has been severed throughout, gas and water
laid through il, and such a uniform system of
improvement been lnaugurated as will make
II a model and pleasing sight to those who
are tired and dissatisfied with the struggling
way in which most of the city Is built up. On
i street are twelve three-story brick buildings
with back buildings, press brick fronts, marble
stoops and trimmings Philadelphia style, con.
taining from ten to fourteen rooms each. sup
piled with gas, water and heaters, marble
ole
be found in houses of this class in any of the
Northern cities; houses suited to a family OF
moderate means, and who want to live well.
Many Of the houses OF this row have been sold
on long time and easy terms to gentlemen de-
sirous of securing a comfortable home and
tired OF paying heavy rents for poor houses.
On H street, a beautiful row of thirteen
houses, with circular store heads and caps
and press brick fronts, are being erected
These contain ten rooms. and are models of
comfort and neatness. All of this row except
two have been sold TO gentlemen who intend
to reside therein. On the inner street (called
Defrees street, in honor of the estimable Super.
Intendent OF Public Printing, Hon. ]. d.
Defrees) are In course Of erection twenty.thfee.
story brick dwellings, with white trimmings
and cellars, and with gas and water through
them. This class of house Is something new
IN washington, comprising all the comforts
and conveniences in a house Of neat exterior,
and within the means of almost every one
Many of these Lave been engaged by clerks in
Departments, who, for the sum Of 5000, secure
good home, and on such easy terms that it Is
as easy TO purchase as to rent This kind of
house is greatly needed here, and we hope
this block viii be the beginning of many.
In addition TO this, two hrst-class brick
dwellings are being erected al the corner of Frs,
and Defrees streets. These overlook the beau
tiful grounds sdJoining the residence of Gene
raj Robert Williams, which has lately been
remodelled and beautihed.
The most gratifying feature of this whole i'm
provemenl to US is the fact that it is all the
work of Washington firm. Much has been
said and prophesied concerning the infusion of
Northern capital and enterprise in our midst
Whilst we do not disparage suca, tut bid il
Godspecd, it is peculiarly grateful to us that
one Of our own people should lave originated
and carried out so successfully tie largest pri.
vate improvement ever attempted here, and
which is, we doubt not, rarely excelled in any
city OF the Union; Glass ell improvement
which will do more to develop the city and
make citizens than any other which could be
attempted.