Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-30
ONE WHO HAS BEEN NEARLY F

n HN6 VIM dAC DLEN NEAhL1 tOh11
" years on prominent corner Of Pennsyl-
vania avenue must have seen many things that
have become part of the nations history He
has seen also his own surroundings change as
the city grew SO that he could now scarcely recog-
nize the avenue as he first knew it, If it could
be restored. The character Of Pennsylvania
avenue as business street having been fixed
early in the history Of the city, changes in the
appearance Of that thoroughfare have been
more gradual than has been the case with
other streets which have recently been in
vaded by business after being occupied for
many years by residences. 1t is somewhat
difficult to realize that the old buildings still
standing on some Of the squares on Pennsylva-
MIA avenue were at the time they were erected
reckoned among the most imposing structures
In the city. Some Of these buildings were
familiar landmarks when men who are now
counted among the oldest inhabitants were
boys. There are firm names, too dis
played on the signs along Pennsylvania avenue
which have been connected with that famous
thoroughfare for upwards Of half Q century
The removal today Of the banking house Of
Lewis johnson Co. to a new location in the
Sun building, on street, will take from the
avenue a name which has been identified with
1t for nearly forty years. 1t was in 1853 that
the late Lewis johnson and his associates.
Stanislaus Murray, Edward Simms and John
Purdy, who then conducted banking institu-
ton under the name of the Washington CITY
Savings Bank. removed from c street, where
they occupied quarters adjoining the Bank of
Washington, to the corner OF PENNSYLVANIA
avenue and 10th street. In 1858 the firm of
Lewis johnson Co. was organized and the
business Of the old firm was merged into the
new one, which then embarked in a general
banking business. The members of this new
firm were Lewis johnson, Lewis J. Davis and
David Walker. The name Of the house since
that date has remained unchanged. Mr.. Davis.
who is a grandson Of the late Lewis johnson,
began his connection with this bank in 1851.
before Mr.. johnson moved to the corner OF
10th street, and Mr.; David Walker. Mr.. Davis
partner. came to the bank soon afterward.
There has been little change in the personnel
OF the firm; Mr. johnson died in 1872. after a
long and honorable career Mr.. Davis and
Mr.. Walker remain in the firm and have ASSOC
ciated with them as junior member Mr.. Chas
n. Wake.
MANY CHANGES IN FORTY YEARS.
Both Mr.. Davis and Mr.. Walkers recollec-
tons OF the neighborhood extend back for
nearly forty years-forty years of intimate as
soclatlon with the business men of the city
There have been many changes during that
time In the surroundings of the bank. Mr..
Davis. IN conversation with q STAR reporter
recalled that when he came there in 1883 the
upper part Of the old building on the corner on
which the bank was located was occupied NV
Sidney DeCamp, bookbinder. These upper
rooms were reached by an outside stairway on
10th street. Subsequently Mr. DeCamp moved
out and A. T. Whiting moved i'm With hi.
bieachery. The northwest corner Of 10th and
streets was then devoted. as it is TODAY to
auctions Mr.. &c. Mcclure, with whom the late
Thos. j. Fisher was associated in those dnys
had ms establishment there. On the same
square, further west, were the stores of George
Savage, hardware; Clement Woodward, stoves
and VIM. Orme, grocer. The corner of 18th
street was occupied by Robert Farnham sta.
toner. Mr. Farnham was succeeded by Blancb
ard and subsequently by Blanchard l. Mohun.
Across 18th street on the site now occupied by
HE EVENING STAR office was large frame
building where C. Gautier had q restaurant and
confectionery establishment which displayed a
big sign inscribed, "A La Vile de Paris" On
the south side at the southeast corner of lIth
and pennsylvania avenue, what Is now Har-
vey's corner, was then occupied by James
Skirving, stove and sheet-iron dealer. Upon
his death the property was purchased by T. M
Harvey. Where Kernan's Theater Ia earns;
had his dancing saloon, which was subsequently
turned into theater. The eastern hall of the
building, now occupied by Thos Downing. at
the southwest corner Of Pennsylvania avenue
and 18th street, was then in the possession Of
Hilbus d Hitz, music dealers. Next door THE
EVENING SrAn had just been established by
Joseph B. TAFT -
PETER FoRcE's LIBRARY
On the corner of 10th and D streets opposite
the bank, on the site now covered by the Post
building, was two-story building fronting ON
street and extending some distance up 10Th
street, In which Peter Force kept his valuable
library .afterward sold to Congress for aIO0 nm
On the square on the north aide Of Penusvivs.
MA avenue between 9th and 10th Pattersop =
Marin had drug store At the corner Of 9TH
5een came keyworth, the jeweler; Stephen n