Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-16

4
The future Of Oak View the Presidents
| country home. is a subject that occasions more
or less talk. The President has given as yet
| no direct intimation as to what disposition he
| intends to make of the place. The prevailing
opinion seems to be that he intends to sell, and
| II Is known that he places pretty high value
upon his property. If he thinks that his place
| Is worth more now than when he bought it,
nearly three years ago, he is certainly justified
IN that opinion by the changes in values that
have gone on all about him. The President
made his purchase in the spring Of SO,
short time after what is known
as the Massachusetts avenue and Tenleytown
boom set in. Secretary Whitney had already
paid 1900 per acre for a farm some distance
beyond. Enterprisng men were engaged in
buying up land along what was then regarded
as the probable route of Massachusetts avenue
extended Three and four hundred dollars per
acre was the ruling price. What is now known
| as Belair Heights, however. was purchased in
| the summer of 1888 for over 800 per acre. On
the other side of Rock creek. during the spring
| of 1884, the tract of land known as Weston was
bought for $3.50 per acre; the Snyder tract for
over 1850 per acre; the Morton tract for $3.50
per acre, and the Bowen tract for about the
| same figure. In the spring of 1886 the Presi-
dent secured the 80 acres of Oak View at a
price exceeding $3.50 per acre. Then followed
the purchases along the Tenleytown road. The
Country club property adjoining Grasslands,
was sold in October, 1886. for over $500 per
acre, and in the following spring about $40 per
acre was paid for the same property. The
yarneil property. opposite the Presidents
house. was sold in the fall OF sc from about
S1.5O0 per acre. The tract of land known as
the Iturbide tract, just beyond the Presidents
i place on the north. was sold in the fall of 81
for %. 200. having been bought the preceding
no Earfa far
which adjoins on the north Grasslands was
sold in the latter part of 81 for 81 100 per
acre.
As these lands were regarded as farm lands
few years ago. and their value practically un-
known. some idea can be obtained for the
prices given above of some of the recent sales
of the rapid appreciation of values. Improve
ments have also been made. Large tracts have
been subdivided and laid ont i'll villa sites.
The old college villa property. which was the
summer retreat wears ago of the priests of
| Georgetown college. has become fashionable
club house. 4 handsome hotel building has
| been erected on the Varnell property and an
electric road is soon to be built from George
town to Tenleytown. Steady progress has
been made in the work of grading along Massa-
chusetts avenue extended. The work is sub
stantially completed from Boundary to Rock
creek and for some distance on the other side
of Rock creek
The most notable transaction in this vicinity
! rama property. Anthony J. Drexell, the we'll
known banker of Philadelphia; John C. Bullitt
one OF the leading tinanciers of the same city,
| and Senator Cameron were the purchasers
They paid nearly $1,000 per acre for the prop
erty. and since then have expended some $780,
COO In grading. The appearance of these men
as investors Ill Washington property was re-
garded as an event of great importance and
significance i'll the development of the CITY.
The influence of these large transactions has
been feltin all parts of the city and the suburbs
REFITTING Mr.. BLAINEs HOUSE.
Next week workmen will be busy in the old
Seward mansion. Mr.. Blaine who has leased
it for IA term of years. proposes to make extern
sive alterations and improvements. To render
the old house adapted to the requirements of
modern life radical changes will be necessary
He has placed the work in charge of Mr.. W. p
Lipscomb, of this city. and in the course of
three or four months the house will be ready
for occupancy. 1t has been so long since the
house was occupied as private residence that
the arrangements for domestic work will have
to be entirely renewed The kitchen with its
range and boiler will be entirely new and so
Will the laundry. Some of the floors are worn
out and will be replaced. The ceilings of the
first floor are to be renewed and a timbered
ceiling will be substituted-an old time
style of building which is quite fashionable
now. ami Will be also in keeping with the
rather antique style of the house The wood
work will be renewed where needed. and will
be painted throughout. The walls are to be
decorated IN handsome style, but in this par
ticular. as in all others, the object is to pre-
serve the rather antique effect of the old house.
Like the residence OF Senator Cameron. which
1t adjoins, Mr. Blaines house will be refitted
III harmony with the original design of the
house. Instead of depending upon stoves or
tine cheerful but chilly wood fire with which
former occupants of the house were obliged to
be satisfied, Mr. Blaine will put in a complete
system OF steam heating. The exterior of the
house will be frightened up. and the old place
VIII show evidences that Its days of prosperity
have returned.
afR. A. LIsNER's FINE RESIDENCE.
Another handsome residence is to be
added to the number which already adorn
Massachusetts, avenue between 18th and 18th
streets. Mr.. A. Lisner, the enterprising pro-
prietOr of the Paiais Royal has had plans pre-
pared for residence which he intends to make
his home. The house will be built from designs
prepared by Mr. Harvey l.. Page, and like the
residence of Mr.. Maury and Mrs. Sheriff. in
the same square which were designed by Mr.
Page. II will be an attractive specimen of
architecture. The wide frontage of the lot af-
fords scope in preparing the design which is
seldom presented in the plans of city house
This will enable the interior to be arranged
so as to allow the Introduction of artistic
features.
r..
DIR. J. W. Buckley has bought from r. F.
Schneider, for $1,000, one of the block of
houses being built on Q street, between 18th
and 18th streets. 1t is to be a double house
on the corner of 18th street. with large
entrance hall 15xl9 feet in the center. with
rooms on either side. and will have a frontage
of SO feet OH Q street. The front will be brown
stone and press brick. On the corner there
Will be a tower three stories and a half high.
and the entrance-way with stone columns will
be very imposing. Professor T. H. Bean, of
the Smithsonian Institution. and Mr.. T. L.
holbrook, president of the Washington brick
machine company. have also each bought
houses in this block.
MRS. CARLIsLE's NEW RESIDENCE.
a fine residence is to be built for Mrs. 7. NJ
Carlisle on the south side of VI street. east of
Connecticut avenue. 1t will have frontage of
3G feet and the architect James G.. Hill. has
taken advantage of this ample frontage to make
the entrance hall feature of the house by
reason OF Its unusual width. II will be l6 feet
wide, and at the end will be Il handsome oak
staircase leading 10 the upper floors. There
VIII be a parlor. dining-roOm and breakfast
room ON the trst floor. and all these rooms will
be spacious. a characteristic which is usually
lacking III the cut-up space of the average city
residence. The front will be brick somewhat
ornamental. and there will be rich cornice of
the same material. 4 circular BAY window
will extend TO the third story, and the roof will
be covered with tiles.
RICH INTERIOR DECORATIONS
More attention is being maid To interior bouse