The Washington times., 1901-09-09
AN old LANDM PASSING
A Building Erected More Than a
Century Ago Torn Down.
The Patent Office Restaurant TO Give
Way to More Modern Structure
the Tavern Used to Quarter Brit
ish Officers in the War of 1872.

The march Of progress is responsible
for the passing of another Of Washing
toms historic landmarks. The building
at the corner Of Seventh and G Streets
northwest is being torn down to make
way for more modern and commodious
structure To the present generation it
has been known as the Patent Office res
taur;,nt, and has been operated by Swing
& Clark. later by Osborne & Hartpett
and since the death Of Mr.. Osborne,
few months ago, by Mr. Hartnett himself.
1t is proposed to erect building which
will be used for cafe that will rival any
restaurant south Of New York. In spite
OF this fact, many an old Washingtonian
will regret the demolition Of the old build
ing. 1t is more than century old, and
antedates the establishment of the seat
of government in the District of Colum-
bia by six years 1t has, quartered q for
eign invader within its walls. and under
fits roof the country's foes have held high
carousal while the Capitol was being put
to the torch American statesmen for
many year have made it their rendez-
vous. and in the ante-bellum the old
tavern was the resort of politicians and
wits who made merry over its cuisine and
wines.
The structure was first built in 1894,
hlau WAS lllt-IlNt7u lot q private TtSiue1iGt-
When the scat of government was re
moved to the District Of Colurrhi" the
location of the building made it available
as tavern in the infant capital. There
fore it became in 1895 what was known
as a public house. small hotel. 1t
was, however, one OF the most preten-
tious earavansaries then in the city
When war broke out between the United
States and England in ISL? the tavern had
begun to acquire a repu ia;ion as one of
the leading hostelries in the city. When
the British captured Washington after
the battle of Biadensburg in 1914 General
Ross, in command of the invading army,
quartered portion of his staff, together
with some of the other British officers in
the tavern. The Englishmcn took posses
SION OF the Duudlng ana its supplies of
food and liquor They were drinking its
old Jamaica and Madeira in high glee
when the Capitol was burning.
During the early part OF the century
the tavern was the resort of political
leaders from all sections. AS early as
ls4o it was noted for its oysters, which
even Clay, Webster and Calhoun did not
disdain to eat. Beau Hickman Wit. dan
dy, and vagabond, was one Of its most
noted labitues.
1t has had numerous managers since its
opening day. but still it has succeeded in
keeping before the public as the home of
the greatest known epicurcs In the coun-
try. AS near as can be learned the place
liam Hurley. He sold out, however, after
a run Of several years. to John Reagan.
Mr.. Reagan conducted business up to the
year 1863, but in the end was finally
bought out by Swing &; Clark, who con-
tinued TO manage the affairs for over
twenty years. when they sold out their
interests 10 Osborne & Hoban. Mr. Os
borne managed the place for period of
over four years, or rather up until last
June when he died. Mr.. Hoban accord
ingiy announced his desire to get rid of
the business and found no trouble in dis
posing of il to John Hartnett, who now
conducts IL himself.
Immediately after taking charge of the
place Mr. Hartnett decided that the old
quarters were too cramped and at once
had Architect Appleton Clark draw the
necessary designs for a new building At
ter these were completed he lost no time
in giving the contract of tearing down
and reconstructing the building to Con-
tractor Burton. who has pushed work
upon the structure rapidly. So energetic
and hurriedly have been his efforts II Al
last night Mr.. Hartnett stated that he
expected to have the new building ready
for occupancy in less than month