National Republican., 1875-06-12
IMPROVEMENTS.
New Buildings Opposite willard's

New Buildings Opposite Willard's Hotel.
One aSter another of the old landmarks OF the
city fail before the march OF improvement, until
now instead OF being generally noticeable they
are becoming objects of curiosity. Despite the
assertion of the tiRhtness Of the financial market
and exceeding dullness OF the times, strong con-
tradctoR is given, and faith IN thestAbity oil the
District proven by the many new buildings
erected and completed within the past year. others
in the course OF construction, and the demolshtng
of old structures to make room for new and mod
ern ones more imposing In appearance: ,iH Ihe oi G
Pennsylvania avenue, opposite Wtuards hotel,
their ancient and erumbling appearance, and un-
has been frequently the subject of comment, and
the sight they presented on the prominent and
popular thOroughfsre OF the city an eye-soretO TO
the lovers Of progress and improvements.
Inquiries have repeatedly been made as TO their
ownership and why they were not substituted BY
SI DuiGgs t6sE moI.% 70 ~. aMesrs RSt
until recently no reasonable solution eould be
given for their neglected state: 1t would seem,
square are determined to wait no longer for the
dflatoTy Land Owners Association in the owner
ship Of the property fronting On the Avenue, but
to push ahead and, as far as lays within their
power, destroy the unsightly picture opposite
Willard's by creating on their lots new and ele-
CANT buildings Nos 1904 and l4o5 are owned 6y
J. +. Beale.
contract has been entered into by these gen
tlemen with Mr.. W. II. Wright, Of Capitol Hill,
carpenter and builder, to pull down me present
three houses and erect on their stead the same
number OF three-story press brick fronts, with
galvanized iron trimmings, and the buildings to
eXteid to an alley in the rear, and ranging be-
tween 81 and IS feet in depth. The second and
third floors will have six rooms each, and above,
the first story be thrown into one building, with
recess by . single stairway from the front. Four
teen hundred and eight will be distinct, and have
separate entrances 1t is the Intention TO fit up
the tirst floors for stores, extending the entire
depth Of the building, and the upper floors for
business ofhces. When completed the houses will
greatly add TO and enhance the beauty and value
Of the property.
The structures about being torn down are
among the eldest in the city. They were built
over fifty years ago, and since that time used for
various purposes, the first floors chiefly by Mr.
:. w. K. Handy, who is thought to have been the
FIRST practical halter in this District, and with
whom the late VIM. B. Todd learned his trade,
the store at that time being at the corner OF Sixth
his business at that point and opened q groceryin
OF these stores That has been over forty years
ago.
Previous to that time, and during Mr.. Han
dys LIE, George Copeley, colored, occupied l40S
as barber shop, and controlled the aristocratie
trade Of the city.
The upper p rtion of this house was then occu-
pied by Mr. NJ rrick as faro bInk, and had VIM.
Marcus associated with as dealer. The old red
curtains screened the rooms from within, and il
those rooms could speak what o history they
might relate Of the assembling OF Congressman,
Senators and other dignitaries around the green
cloth to venture on the game OF chance Faro, in
thoEe days, had many patrons, and dealers turned
their cards for heavy stakes; checks outnumb berng
in value greatly those Of the players of the pres
ent age. But this, like other games, was forced
to be abandoned and closed; then the rooms, Ike
those of the other two houses, became tenementS,
which they continued TO be until vacated finally
TO give way for the march Of progress.