Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-18

ington monument overlapping all; streets
handsomely built up, shaded with myriads Of
trees, making the city look from height like Q
vast park, and paved with leagues and leagues
OF asphalt; city that has redeemed the promise
made by the generous founder; and there il no
need for an enumeration Of the attractions Of
Washington. How different from the city that
the soldier knew in 1855 when he marched over
the cobble stones Of Pennsylvania avenue Of
that day or noundered through the mud in re-
gions then desolase, now famous for their
beauty!
cHASoEs SINCE 1865.
Many Of the veterans who participated In the
grand review Of the Union armies, which took
place in May, 1865, have never visited WASH
ington since they marched MP Pennsylvania
avenue and past the President on that memora-
BILE occasion. Those who then saw the national
capital for the first time felt thrill Of pride
that they had been instrumental in saving the
seat OF the governments from destruction and
preserving the nation intact. That was over a
quarter OF q century ago and when they come
here again next year at the national encamp-
ment Of the Grand Army Of the Republic these
veterans will hardly recognize the city which
they then thought beautiful.
Ii was beautiful then only in its plan and
possibilities. There were the same broad ave-
nues and streets, but they were unpaved and
unimproved- The government buildings were
unfinished. The treasury was about half its
III
18th street and Pennsylvania avenue, opposite
Riggs bank, stood the ruins Of the small brick
building that had been occupied by the De-
partment OF State, and which had been made
famous by the echoes of Mr.. Stewards little
bell. The old war and navy buildings were
upon iIth street, and the great increase of the
clerical force. which had become necessary
during the war, had overhowed into every house
on the opposite side Of the street. The Cor
coran Art Gallery building was occupied by the
force of the quartermaster general. and on the
northeast corner Of l51S street and the avenue
stood three-story brick building with a row
of one-story frame additions along the avenue
which were the headquarters of the depart
ment Of Washington.
The patent office was unfinished and blocks |
OF marble filled the then vacant space on G
street between 9th and 10th, through which ran |
> stream that has since been taken up as a !
sewer. The noble approaches to the Capitol
had not been conceived in the brain of the |
architect and the lofty Washington monument
stopped at an elevation Of little over a hun
drec feet and looked like an abandoned rum. |
The Smithsonian Institution had not recovered
from the effects Of the fire which nearly de- |
stroyed this beautiful pile and the National |
Museum building was in the womb of the |
future.
South Washington was then an island sepa-
rated from the rest Of the city by the old |
canal, whose ferid waters. filed with sewage |
and refuse, spread malaria all over the Dis |
trict- There were no handsome stores upon
pennsylvania avenue and where the Palais |
Royal now stands was the Kirkwood House. |
where President johnson was boarding on the |
night that President Lincoln was assassinated |
and where be took the oath Of Office as his |
successor. !
Judiciary Square was then disfgured by the {
District Jail. which. with its inclosure. occu-
pied the northeast corner Of the square,
The old Capitol prison held its captives on !
st street east, instead of the handsome dwell |
ngs which now meet the eye in that locality.
III about the city were barracks occupied by
oldiers OF the veteran reserve corps, while |
hospitals filled with sick and wounded from the |
ong marches and fierce battles of the army
we're numerous
The Washington OF 1865 was q small place
with the city Of today. There was
he same amount Of territory, but the built-up
PORTION was restricted in its boundaries and
ong stretches of waste ground gave it a stray
fling and country look. Connecticut avenue