Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-09
Growth of the District.


! The growth and development Of Wash
ington city has been constant, of perma-
nent and substantial character, even dur
| ing the last five or six years. when local
and national financial depression has pre-
vailed. consequently one can hardly real
ize that such trying times, generally speak
ing. have been experienced.
The capital city, although affected by this
general condition of business depression,
obviating a boom or the development of
rash and speculative enterprises, has not.
however. prevented it's constant extension;
for find that large investments in real
estate have been made not only by citi-
Zens of the District Of Columbia, but by
capitalists from various sections of the
country who are continually giving evil
dences of their appreciation of the capital
city suitable place for investment, and
some of these holdings have been improved
by the construction thereon of large and
costly residences.
Washington, we may say has outgrown
the original boundary avenue in the last
five or six years, but in so doing It must be
remembered that it will for many years
be kept within the limits of the District Of
Columbia, which is subject to the exclus-
I've Jurisdiction Of Congress, rs provided in
the Constitution of the United States. This
statement is supported by the rapid de-
velopment north of Florida or Boundary
avenue out along 14th and 18th streets in
the direction Of the National Rock Creek
park Of 1000 acres, and the handsomely
improved United States Soldiers Home of
about 500 acres; and it is in this locality
that we now find the new Washington.
This development. consisting Of new
streets, the construction of large and costly
residences, apartment houses and extern
sion Of car lines, has been so great that the
question might with great propriety be
asked, II Washington In duh times can
accomplish so much, what may we now ex.
pect with the well-establshed evidence of
revival In business during the next two or
three years. Congress at the last session
authorized the improvement of the Ma
tional Rock Creek Park, and while this ac-
ton should have been taken when 1t
acquired six or seven years ago, the peo-
pie will in the immediate future enjoy the
great If not unsurpassed natural beauty Of
this tract Of land.
This section of suburban property and
also the Chevy Chase section west of Rock
Creek Park has been recently provided
with two large reservoirs, which will fur
n1sh an abundant supply of pure Potomac
water. Electric light and rapid transit is
also being provided.
Congress has authorized the opening of
10th street 100 feet in width from Florida
avenue to the District line distance of
several miles. and much of the land nee
essary for this purpose has been donated
although over 100000 will be required to
pay for land to be condemned. This street
will not only face Rock Creek Park for a
distance of several miles. but it will open
and develop valuable suburban territory.
ClcNcldHu fdFh mas Deen rendered a most
attractive subdivision not only because of
the original and characteristic class of i'm
provements, but by reason of the fact that
the streets or roadways follow the contour
of the land and the beauty of the coun-
try has thereby been retained 1t is be-
lieved that other holdings in this section
Will be developed upon the same plan, as
the land is of an undulating character and
much of it is owned by the California syn
dictate represented by Congressman New
lands. the Sharon estate and Senator Stew
art, consequently the class of improvements
can and will be controlled. The National
geological Park, Chevy Chase and the new
Methodist University. are found in this sec
ton and also the investments of ex-Sena-
tor ]. B. Henderson of Missouri, John R.
Mclean, A. l.. Barber and Colonel r. L.
Fleming, who owns the former home of ex-
President Cleveland; B. II. Warner James
NJ. johnson, and other prominent people.
Washington must now be affected also
by the construction of the new National or
Congressional Library, the new city post Of
flee, the new printing Office, the new Depart
ment OF Justice, the new city library do
mated by Mr.. Andrew Carnegie, and other
national improvements authorized at the
past session of Congress, required to meet
the growing necessities of the United
States government, and the rapid develop
ment of the District Of Columbia
The construction of these new buildings
alone, Independent Of the large individual
Of construction, involve the expenditure of
millions.
This brief allusion to our capital CITY
would certainly seem to indicate not only a
demand for real estate, but that a great
Increase in real estate values may be ex-
pected in the near future
LOUIS P. SHOEMAKER.
September O 1904.