Evening star., 1900-07-07
Age Of Buildings Determined by Char
acter of the Materials.
TIE REMOVAL OF WILLARD'S HOTEL
improvement Made in the Side
walks Of the City.
V IOUS RS

The process of tearing down the walls of
the Willard Hotel building. at the north
west corner of Pennsylvania avenue and
14th street, which has been going on for
nearly two weeks, has attracted a good
deal Of attention from passers-by, as well
as from those who, for one reason or an
other. take an interest in old-time struc-
lures. 1t may be said, however, that this
building has the reputation of being much
older than it really is, and If Mr. Henry A.
Willard, who put up the structure, was not
here to tell about it. the material used, as
well as the method of construction. would.
in general way. indicate the probable date
of erection. There was no hewn timber
found. or very little, showing that it was
after the era Of the Introduction Of saw
mills and the use of sawed lumber
When the property was bought, in 1s47,
by the Willards from the late Ogle Tayloe,
there were seven buildings on the avenue
front that had been originally erected as
private residences, having seven distinct
entrances. The property extended up
18th street about 125 feet. and there was a
yard in the rear which joined the yard or
garden about the residence, which at that
time was at the southwest corner of 14th
and F streets. The Presbyterian Church
occupied the building adjoining this resi-
dence to the west, and known to the pres
ent generation as Wizards Hall after the
purchase by the Willards. The two
story and attic houses on the avenue front
were practically torn down. and Willard 8
Hotel. as known in this day, was put UP.
Evidences of Age.
The separate entrances were taken out
and one entrance on the avenue substi-
tuted. The balance of the property, COM
prising the eastern part of the square,
was acquired by subsequent purchase. and
the building gradually. assumed the size
1T had before the work Of demolition was
begun.
However. some evidences Of age were
found by the workmen, for portions Of the
old building were left In the reconstruction
fragments were. Of course, genuinely
ancient, for the two-story attic structures
were built in the early years of the CITY,
and there was located on that corner at an
early period a hotel What an known as
split laths were found In some of the par
uuons, which indicated that they were the
original walls. The floor tnhers and beams
we're sawed, with the exception Of a few
Of the beams, which showed the edge of the
adze. y
Improved sidewalks.
A notable improvement is being made on
East Capitol street, where sidewalks of
grenolithte are being laid on both sides Of
the street. from the grounds of the Capitol
to Lincoln Park. distance of some eleven
squares. The magnitude Of this under
taking alone warrants more than a pass
Ing notice In addition TO this phase, how
only part of the work which has been
pursued steadily for several years past,
and which will result In substituting this
smoother pavement for the old time brick
SIDEWALKS There remains great deal yet
to do. and large areas of sidewalk surface
are still to be gone over, but good progress
has been made and on many Of the streets
and sections of streets these modern foot
ways are found.
This change is in keeping with the general
character of the public improvements which
are supposed to represent. the best along
the various lines of municipal betterment.
Washington may be said to represent about
the highest type Of public work. 1t is
claimed that in extent, as we'll in the char
acter of the street pavement this city
now has an enviable place, while the
streets freed practically from the danger
Gus overhead wires must be An object les
son of value to the residents Of those places
where these wires have come to represent
positive evil.
The streets are kept reasonably clean
and are free from good many Of annoy
ances and nuisanceS which. aff1ict the aver
age municipality.
EnIarging a Church Building.
Plans have been prepared by James G.
Hill, architect, for the enlargement of the
edif1ce of St. Margarets p. E. Church, on
Connecticut avenue extended, just north of
Florida avenue. The new part will be on
the north side, and will be a widening of
the aisle on that side of the church. SO
that 1t will be possible to have a row of
peWs on both sides of the aisle instead of
only on the south side. as at present. The
seating capacity of the church by this
change will be increased by about one hun
ured nftV yyil no
total seating capacity about five hundred.
The church building was erected several
years ago by the young congregation and
the structure was so planned by Mr.. Hill
that 1t could serve for what was believed
to be the formative period of the life of the
congrega ton, and soon as the circum-
stances seemed to warrant larger ediice
could be put on the ground, which is Of
ample size. The growth of the congrega-
ton has been such that what is looked
upon as the temporary church building had
who wished to attend services. and SO the
extension was decided upon.
Improving a Hotel.
From plans made by James G. Hill and
Paul j. Pelz, the heirs of the late w. w.
Corcoran are having various improvements
made in the Arlington Hotel The heating
plant is to be supplemented SO that ample
provision can be made for all parts of the
building: Electric lighting is also being in
rooms are being put in.
Mrs. Wadsworth's House.
Work on the construction of the fine res
idence which Mrs. Wadsworth is erecting in
the triangular place at Massachusetts ave-
nue., and 18th streets northwest. was de-
layed because the terra Gotta which is to be
used in the courses and trimming Of the
exterior walls had not arrived. It is now
coming in. and the contractor, Mr.. Chas. A.
Langley, expects to begin building opera
tions Monday next. The walls Of the house
are now only Just above ground. but it is
expected that as the material is on hand
the progress will be rapid.
West Points Grnadates Assigned.
Officers of the corps of engineers recent
ly graduated from the Military Academy
have been assigned to duty as follows:
Second Lieutenant George B. Pillsbury.
to San Francisco. Cal, for duty under the
orders Of Major Davis; Second Lieutenant
40 To A,,tr