The Washington times., 1901-12-08

1.-THE term city in Washington. as con-
fined to a certain locality. is extinct,
said an old resident recently.
"The city in London is but a very
small part of the immense area covered
10y that great world metropolis; the city
in Paris is situated on the lie de Paris,
a little island in the Seine.
The city in Washington meant. sixty
years ago, the section comprised between
the Capitol, the Presidents home, the
canal and the Northern Liberties In
this section were located the theatres,
many of the churches, and perhaps seven
eighths of the business houses, and all OF
the streets and avenues of the section
were at least partially improved.
"The old Marsh Market was regarded
as the central point. from which radiated
the business streets, Pennsylvania Ave
nue. and Seventh Street being the prin-
cipal ones, and three-fourths Of the police
business was transacted at the Central
Guardhouse.
In wood. coal, lumber and lime much
business was done along the banks of the
canal Sailing vessels OF fair size, with
canal boats and long boats, landed their
cargoes on its banks The bridges, how
ever prevented sailing vessels from pass
ing up into the town.
The National Theatre, in the early part
Of the 4O's was the leading place of
amusement 1t was destroyed by fire on
the night of March ;. 1876. Other places
were open for the votaries OF the play
Carnsrs saloon. Apollo Hall, the Adelphl
Theatre, on Pennsylvania Avenue. be-
tween Four -and-a-half and Sixth streets.
and the Assembly Rooms, on Louisiana
Avenue. opposite Fifth Street, were used
more or less for theatrical purposes,
while Jackson Hall. on Pennsylvania
Avenue. east Of Four -and-a-haf Street
odd Fellows Hall. on Seventh Street. and
the Odeon Hall. Pennsylvania Avenue ana
-Four half Street. were the fayorite
bathrooms and concert halls.
Until abou the 40's some OF the
societies had used the council chambers
al the City Hall for meetings, and among
other meeting halls were Buckingham $,
on Street, near Tenth; Dr. Howard's
lecture room, on Eleventh, near + Street
and large room in the second story Of
Walker G. Kimmels stable. on c, between
our and half and Sixth streets.
Old Hostclries.
Few. II any, of the inns and hotels OF
old Washington had been built for the
purpose. In some instances remodeled
dwellings were used as hotels. The City
Hotel. afterward willards. then conduct
ed by Messrs. a. Fuller & Co. consisted Of
half dozen ehree-story brick dwellings
fronting the Avenue, west of Fourteenth
Street. In the latter part of the forties
inis MOTEL went into the hands Of the VIII
lsrds H. 4. Willard being the manager.
the Fullers locating on the northeast cor
ner Of Pennsylvania Avenue and Twelfth
Street. now included in the site Of the
Raleigh. The European Hotel. afterward
the Mansion House. a high-priced hos
telry in those days, conducted by Gala
Fourteenth Street.
THE present Metropolitan Hotel was
then known as the Indian Queen, and z,as
long known familiarly as Browns, from
The name Of the proprietor. 1t was
popular house. especially with Southern
people its cuisine being excellent Din
ner was announced by waiter who rang
a large bell in front of the building, when
Immediately a frantic rush OF hungry peo-
pie from the sidewalk to the dining room
took place. The National. al Sixth Street.
was popularity known as Coleman's. Col
S S. Coleman being the proprietor.
Between Third and Four-and- half
Streets was located the United States
Hotel. and Gadsby's was on the northwest
corner OF Third Street and Pennsylvania
Avenue. with the St. Charles, then a new
house, opposite On Third Street. oppo-
site B. was Beers Temperance Hotel. The
Franklin Coffee House. a favorite place
Tor country people. was conducted by MIR.
Thomas Baker. The Columbian. at the
southwest corner Of Eighth and Streets.
had been recently opened by j. II. Eber
bach
The market south OF the Avenue be-
tween seventh and Ninth streets, now
the Centre Market, was then owned by
corporation. There were two long
sheds, each extending a square, with
fish market extending toward the canal.
In the centre was a two-story brick build
ing used by the Auxiliary Guard (the
night police force OF fifteen mem. IN which
was a hall and cells for prisoners. At the
angle formed at Eighth street by Penrsyl-
yania and Louisiana Avenues was located
the Perseverance engine house, especially
well known TO the boys Of that day for
the deeP-toned bell on Il. which struck
the hours during the night. The O'Clock
bell was q warning for all minors unac-
companied by a responsible grown person.
Or without written authority Of parent or
guardian. 10 be indoors by 10 o'clock.
Those who disreEarded the warning we're
liable TO be escorted TO their homes by
the palice. Or locked up in the station
house On the east SIDE Of Fourteenth
Street below the Avenue was the engine
house and hall Of The Franklin Fire Com
rany. and il was also the meeting place
of the old Freeman's Nigilant Total Ab-
ftinencc Society. long presided over By
Squire John ID. Clark.
some Old Churches.
The church going community were ac-
commocated in unpretentious structures
Sacred architecture does not appear to
have made much progress since. The
present Police Court building at Sixth
and d Streets was the UnitRrian chapel
Tie Foundry AMI Wesley Methodist so
cieties each had houses of worship on
their present sites. but they were of the
old fashioned chapel type, with galleries
at sides and end. Hnd have been long
since replaced by mere modern buildings.
Epiphany Episcopal Church on its pres
ent site. was then much smaller than
now. Trinity Episcopal Church was In
what is row the Columbian Law building
the present location. Third and c Streets.
not being thought OF at the time The
Mcihodists were on Ninth between aud
Streets. The Fiift Baptist. then known
rs iaEon Browns, originally at Nine
feenfh and / Streets was then on Tenth
Street between r and Il Streets. After