The Critic and record., 1891-03-27
BIG RAILROAD PURCHASE.
An Entire Block in South Washington
Bought by the Midland.


bought by the Midland.
Up to about year ago the Virginia
Midland Railroad was without property
in this city necessary for the transaction
of its rapidly growing business. Along
in 1850 the road bought the irregular
piece of ground bounded by Il, Twelfth,
Water and Thirteenth streets southwest,
from johnson Brothers. On this they
erected their shops and freight depot
Since then the road has been quietly buy
ing up other real estate in the same section.
The land is required for yard purposes,
sidings and so on. Believing that If the
holders Of the land knew that II was
wanted by the road they would send the
price in search after Gilderoy's famous
kite, the road has been engaged i'm a still
hunt. Mr.. Robert Portner, the Alexander
brewer has been the chief huntsman.
That is, the purchases have been made
in his name.
Mr.. Portner owns the irregular piece Of
ground contiguous to the Long Bridge
and fronting on Maryland avenue and
Twelfth street. On this piece of ground
the Midland has arOund-housc. N is not
a round round-housc. lt is square
is a turn-table. Mr.. Portner has consid-
cred the policy of erecting brewery in
this city, and, as he has retained the
ownership of this piece of ground, IL is
thought he will eventually build brew
cry upon it, BE this as it may he has
recently completed the purchase, for the
Midland, Of the irregular block of ground
bounded by Maryland avenue, Twelfth
| Il and Thirteenth streets. A part of this
| block, facing on Maryland avenue aud
| Twelfth street is covered with dwelling
houses, there being a grocery at the cor.
ner. The occupants have been notified
| to vacate the houses. The road will then
tear the buildings down and convert the
| ground into railroad yard.
The road also wants the block lust east
| of the one described, l. c.. the one bounded
| by Maryland avenue, Eleventh, Il and
| Twelfth streets. This is built up all along
the Maryland avenue and part OF
| Twelfth street front, there being on the
| latter front public school house.
The part of the block facing Il
street has not been cut down 10
! grade, and upon the hill are several
houses, none of them of much value ex
cept that of Mr.. White, president of the
Belt Line. This occupies the corner at Il
and Eleventh streets, and has lately been
considerably improved If the Midland
gets this block II will have TO pay pretty
stiff price for il.
on the triangle formed by the crossing
of Maryland avenue, Ninth, ID and Tenth
streets stand the freight offices of the
Baltimore and Potomac Railroad. Oppo
site, in the square bounded by G, Eighth
Ninth and ID streets, is Church's lumber
yard, which occupies little more thar
half the block. II extends along thu
whole square on the G street front ant
down Eighth and Ninth to an alley. Tn,
remaining part of the square is occupied
by dwelling houses facing on d street.
Mr.. Portner has Just bought Church,
lumber-yard rs it is described above
This purchase is for the road. OF cours,
it will want the rest of the square.
II is possible that all the property alon!
Maryland avenue, at least on the soutl
side, from Sixth street to the river, viii
in time be owned by the railroads an,
used for their business. The Midland i
getting its share now, and its method o
acquiring it is a shrewd one.