Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-26
A FAMOUS STREET
Pennsylvania Avenue Best Known in
the Country.
some OF IT'S HISTORIC BUILDINGS
A Stroll From the Capitol to the
White House.
MANY NEW STRUCTURES

Washington Correspondence New York Tribune.
OF all the streets in America Pennsylva-
MIA avenue. the great central thoroughfare
Of the nations capital undoubtedly is the
most famous Throughout the mile stretch
from the Capitol to the White House it is
rich with suggestions Of events and names
that have gone into history. The careless
stroller sees only majestic avenue, its
smooth surface dotted with vehicles Of all
descriptions, lines of attractive shops and
the far more attractive Of humanity,
gathered from all parts Of the earth,
streaming up and down. 1t is the observ-
ant 'old-timer'' who sees the footprints
of history in the midst of the modern show
and gets the most enjoyment from walk
on a bright winter day from the Capitol to
the White House.
From old print hanging the wall of
the queer little secondhand bookshop near
the Peace monument one gets a good idea
of the changes wrought in the avenue since
the days of LEnfant. For years Pennsyl-
yania avenue was a wide and deep mu0
hole. Unpretentious structures overlooked
1t, and there was little suggestion of future
greatness The mud has given place to con-
crete. but the unpretentious buildings have
not all disappeared, by any means. More
ancient rookerieS rear their heads than one
might expect to see on the show street of
the country. L'Enfant himself might feel
at home If he were to view the prospect
again from Capitol Hill. The statesman of
the oiden time would know where to turn
for a drink If he We're to drop suddenly
down near the 5;h and 9Th street corners.
Pennsylvania avenue gets its beauty from
It's great width, its roadway, level a
floor. and its magnificent perspective.
Architecture is now beginning to lend its
aid to make 1t impressive Several slightly
structures have been erected in the last
fnr
place government buildings along the south
side of the avenue. When this is accom-
pl1shed there will be a no more stately
thoroughfare in the world
Botanic Gardens.
At the very beginning Of the walk west
ward from the Capitol one sees union or
the old with the new in the Botanic Gar
dens, which skirt the southern edge of the
avenue for two full blocks. They were
comprehended in L'Enfant's plan OF WASH
ington, and fifty years ago had acquired
some fame. In the last twenty years they
have been greatly developed. Ten acres are
inclosed by their iron ratings There is
great conservatory filled with choice for
eign plants and many smaller conserva-
tories which are almost attractive.
Around the gardens are extensive coilec-
tons Of trees and shrubs, which are cul-
tivated in the most scientific manner. Most
of the plants which are set out each spring
in the parks and circles of Washington are
grown here. No reservation of equal size
in the country is more attractive than THIS
one. Only a few steps from the teeming
avenue, 1t Is a Veritable land OF flowers,
where care may be cast aside.
Between LIST and I'd streets. on the north
side of the avenue, Is the site OF the first
Washington passenger station Of the Baiti-
more and Ohio railroad. During the war
thousands of Union troops landed from the
cars there on their way to the battlefelds
of the south. Long ago the station was
t-r.I 4. -tar,,
ton. The buildings erected in its place
still offend the eye.
| On the northeast corner of the avenue and
Sd street, the Hotel Belvedere, formerly
| the St. Charles Hotel, stands Fifty or
sixty years ago the ST. Charles was Well
known to Washington visitors. Directly OPP
posite is the Hotel Vendome. which used to
be known the Belvedere. This was she
Washington House when Senator Ben Wade
of Ohio occupied large place in the public
eye. Mr.. Wade lived there and so did
Henry Wilson, Vice President of the United
States under Grant, whose Washington
| home 1t at the time of his death. So
many improvements have been made in re
| cent years in the old house that its former
patrons would hardly know it.
Many memories cluster about the cigar
| shop at the corner of Az street. Years ago
Joseph Shllington had book store and a
| news stand there 1t is said that he was
newspapers. In their day 1t was the rem
devious for Daniel Webster Henry Clay,
| John C. Calhoun, Chief Justice Marshall
and other men now well known In history
Shilling;on has gone the way Of all flesh,
and the books and periodicals gave place
long ago to cigars and tobacco. What
stories those old walls have heard!
Historic Spots.
On the square between Az and 9Th streets
Bells photograph gallery occupies the
building once known as the Athenaeum
Theater, dear to the hearts Of old Wash
w., rot 1ar to1
| in this famous playhouse. and Joe him
self has appeared there. While the exterior
of the building has seen few changes. the
interior has been entirely remodeled.
Further west in the same block stood In
former years a building which contained
the celebrated gambling resort OF Edward
Pendleton. There is a legend In Washing
ton that often when it was found impossi-
BILE to muster quorum in the Senate or
House the missing statesmen could be
found there. Draw poker was the chler
game at Pendleton's. Edward Pendleton
came from the old Virginia family of that
name After his death the rooms were
given over to more prosaic uses.
Near Az street is the old Globe building,
where that fascinating publication. the Con-
gressional Globe, was issued until 1t was
superseded by the Congressional Record:
Across the avenue, at the corner OF Az
a brownstone structure, which shows signs
of age. calls to mind the Colonization So
ciety, which years ago erected the building
and strove to induce colored people to try
their fortunes in far-of Liberia.
Now comes to an historic neighbour
hood-the block between 9Th and 9th streets.
Here for many years-ninety, at least-has
stood the National Hotel. Once it was
known as 'Gadsby's." 1t Is a mammoth
structure, with little or no architectural
pretensions What a procession Of good.
bad and Indifferent people has passed
through its portals since 1910! 1t Is tradi-
ton of the house that all the public men of
reputation since the days Of Jefferson have
enjoyed its hospitality. Henry Clay lived
several years beneath its roof, and finally
died, on June %. 1852. in what Is now
known as room No. 80 Alexander II.
| Stephens had a suite of rooms there for
| years, leaving them finally to become the
| governor of Georgia. Buchanan went to
| his Inauguration from the National. Up to
| within a few years ago all the registers of
| the house were preserved but the lack of
| space to store them caused their destruc-
ton.
An Ancient Hotel.
John Wilkes Booth lived at the National
! all the winter previous to the assassination
| Of Mr.. Lincoln. Walter Burton. formerly
one Of the proprietors Of the National. was
| night clerk Of the house at the time. and
| Booth used to sit and chat with him night