Evening star., 1901-06-19
Places Patronized by the Old Time
WashiDgtonians.
One ORIGINAL Site NOW Used ASSUCH
Presidents and Members of Cabi-
net Regular Buyers.
POWER OF CORPORATION

| are not yet very old the corporation mar
| kets of their boyhood days, as well as tn
| former surroundings of the proposed sit
| above referred to. Many can remembe
when such a suggestion would have beel
| regarded as preposterous, and the part,
making it would have been in danger O
| being called a lunatic. In the recollection
| of some. when the foot of College Hill
and Browns or "Murphy's Springs
designated the neighborhood, two grav,
yards, the Foundry and ST. Matthews, S, on'
were the only evidences of civilization
which skirted the road to the race
course 0Holmead's), as 14th street wa:
then called. Between 1th street on the
east and 10th to the west there were really
no signs of civilization off of 18th street.
1t is interesting to note the history OF
markets in the olden time, for it shows
that but one of the original sites is now
used for such purpose, and other sites have
given way to parks churches, and that
in some cases success followed the eStab
llshment, and in others markets sprung
into existence only to be soon abandoned
The power to establish and regulate mar
ketS was conferred on the corporation OF
Washington in the charter of May 3, 1902
and in october following it was exercised
the council passing an act for such estab-
1shment. According to tradition, however,
there was a market here before this date,
located in New Jersey avenue between A
and B streets southeast. This was prob
ably erected by voluntary contributions
and supported mainly by the employees of
the Capitol and those engaged on the work
This was formally established by the act
of October 6, 1862 under Wm. Howard as
clerk or supervisor, and continued in oper-
alton until 1912.
The same act of 1902 authorized the es-
tablishment of the Center Market ON or
near the south side of Pennsylvania avenue
between 1th and 9th streets and power was
given the mayor to locate markets in the
west section of the city, when petitioned
Tor by majority of the houSeholderS and
the houses were provided therefor. From
the proximity of the Center market to the
marShy shores of the Tiber (canaD its
popular name was for many years the
Marsh market Originally of but one
shed, it enlarged by a second one for
butchers and others, and then with third
one for fish dealers, and for years, unpre-
tentious as We're the Sheds it was the hub
of Washington. The scale house In the
center was enlarged to admit of accommo-
dations for the city police and auxiliary
guard, as well as cells for prisoners. The
Justices for the central part of the city
held trials here, and this attracted, pro-
portionately as many of our grand sres as
the Police Court does Of the masses at this
day.
Vicinity of Business Houses.
The principal business houses of this Sec
ton were located on Market space, but the
trade in market or store was not heavy at
that period. Indeed, there is told by the
descendants of one of the leading and ear
liest butchers in the market that for
months, if not years, he rolled his stock of
meats from his home to market, about two
miles, on a wheelbarrow. 1t was conduct
ed as corporation market till it's destruc-
tion by fire over thirty years ago, and was
a source of revenue. Then the Washing
ton Market Company secured a franchise
and erected the structure know known as
the Washington market, with facilities for
business not dreamed of by the former
dealers
The hay scales of the marsh market were
located on the east side of 9th street about
twenty feet south of the avenue, but were
moved to the west side of 9th
street and later to Louisiana avenue be-
tween 9th and 10th streets. About 1902 the
Capitol Hill scales were on the south side
of East Capitol street between 1st and I'd
streets NOW included in the Library ste)
though the first Capitol Hill market was
until 1872 on New Jersey avenue
The act of 1902, while providing for the
erection of the principal market at the ex-
pense of the corporation looked to the es-
of market in the West End
by giving the mayor authority to authorize
such market when majority of the house
holders west of the Presidents Mansion
should petition therefor and provide cuit-
able market house. 1t was to be called the
West Market, and would be open MONDAYS
w ednesdays and Fridays 1t was not long
before the citizens petitioned for the mar
ket, and authority having been granted the
triangular space formed by PENNSYLVANIA
avenue, 10th and | streets was selected as
the site. Not only was there erected
building for market purposes-a roof on
brick piers-but a small hall was provided
in the second story, and a bell tower sur
the structure. The hay scales
We're located on the same reservation In |
lS03 or ls04-1t is not clear which-the
West Market was established and for
years 1t was the principal point for the |
1rst ward purchasers. The hall was used |
rs a town hall, in which general. society
ana company meetings were held, includ- |
ng the old Union Fire Company whose
apparatus was first housed at the west |
end OF the market building and afterwa d |
IN the corresponding reservation south of |
he avenue. In 1899 1t was removed to the |
'ng1ne house at 18th and Fl streets now In |
he possession of the Veteran Volunteer |
t1remen. Gradually business increased |
1ere, ana before the destruction of the |
building by fire, February 1, 1852. there
were many wooden stands and benches sur
'ounding the building After it's destruc-
ION the government took possession and
nclosed the grounds with an iron railing,
onverting them into a small park. For few
years there was no public market in this
ection, but new location was found on
& street near Goth street, where for over
orty years the West Market has been
ocated.
Though in the plan of the city market
pace was designated south of K street he
ween 4th and 9Th streets southeast and |
he neighborhood was much more thickly
ettled than other portions of the city by
Mechanics and others employed in the
avy yard, 1t was not until 1904 that a
market house was projected here The
mayor had been given authority in 1902 to
ocate market when majority of house
olders east of South Capitol street and
outh. of D street south should petition |
herefor. Such petition having been pre-
ented and market house erected on the
eservation, the mayor, In May, 1905, de-
Jared the branch market open for bust
ess. This was, like the West Market.
uilt by subscription, and was a shed set
n pins near the head Of, an inlet of the
EASTERN branch, into which flowed
tream down 9th street For over forty
ears it furnished market facilities for the
avy yard people, and especially Saturday
venings 1t was well patrunized The hay
Gales for this section were near 9th and
streets. They were erected by John
'obbyn.
Change of Location.
In 1912 the market on New Jersey ave-
ne was superseded by one on East Capt.
d street between 1st and I'd streets. Just
hy this change was made is not known
ut It Is thought the immediate neighbor-