The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-24
AN old LANDMARK DOOMED
Work Started on the Demolition of
Stewart Castle.

The Famous Old Residence Being
Torn Down by order of Its Pres
cnt Owner. senator Clark - Noted
for Many Lavish Entertainments.
Stewart Castle, famous for nearly thirty
years Tor the hospitality dispensed under
its roof is about to pass into history. Yes
terday the work Of destroying the old
mansion commenced. Already nothing but
the floors, staiTways. and walls of the old
landmark remain. Worlsmen ra1idly con-
Quoting the work of demolition have re
moved the sashes from the windows, the
doors the trimmings. and the plumbing.
Senator William \. Clark of Montana,
| who purchased the house from Senator
Stewart about year ago, gave the orders
which doomed the castle to destruction.
Yesterday a force of workmen under the
| direction Of the contractor. Frank n. Car
Yer, began operations. The work will be
| conducted rapidly, and by May l no sign
! of the structure will remain. The con-
| tractor has been given until that time to
! finish the work of tearing down the
building.
What structure will succeed the castle,
| on the site fronting on Dupont Circle to
the north. and extending between Connec-
| ticut and Massachusetts, Avenues, is still
| problem. No final arrangements have
| been made for the drawing of architec
| tural designs. 1t is known that Senator
Clark once considered the advisahiity of
erecting a large apartment hoIse on the
site and he has also discussed the
project of erecting magnificent residence
for his own occupancy. 1t is believed that
Senator Clark has not yet decided what he
will do with the property. lie sailed for
Europe yesterday, and the question must
lay open until his return. Senator Clark's
trip will be brief. as he is expected home
within a short time TO attend the wedding
of his daughter, which is to take place in
about month.
The erection of Stewart Castle was be-
gun in 1872 and was completed the follow
ing year, when the Stewart family took |
possession of the house and have lived |
there ever since with the exception of a |
period of eight years during which it |
was occupied by the Chinese Legation. |
When the residence was built that section |
Of the city was distinctly rural Not a !
substantial residence had been built any |
where in the neighborhood. The whole |
block on which the castle now stands was |
then owned by Senator Stewart. and the |
rest of the land was converted into a |
magnificent peach orchard, which flour
ished for many years. Soon afterward, |
under the regime of Sir Edward Thorn
ton, then Minister from the Court of St
James to the United States, the British
Legation was constructed where il now
stands.
The furnishings of the castle We're mag
niiicent. Nothing within the National |
Capital could equal them. Exquisitely
carved furniture was especially made in
Florence, under the supervision of the
Stewarts, for the residence. This furni-
ture is sin In the possession of the Stew
arts a'.I is placed in their new residence
at 1900 T Street. and is worthy of more
than passing mention. Chairs, tables.
mirrors. chandeliers, candelabra.
sideboards. were all made in Florence.
The woodwork was massive and delicate
ly carved and all covered with gold
Cherubs. birds. flowers, leaves, animals
were all part of the magnificent designs
that ornamented the furnishings of the
residence from top to bottom.
The upholstering of this Florentine fur
niture was Of Beauvais tapestry, the most | ,
that money could purchase.
nalachite and other stones. of :
-" ornamented the
-rous ta-
ire other :
his furni- !
Inlue OF 1
d. uphol-
Of strange {
suspended | C
an0 taly. hang
China. and from
,r. world. collected by the
tr sH. abroad. {
r-r.,-. zen from the royal
alace of Fe,...-. d ence the property
the Emperor Of China. woven Of gold J
II cloth was among the many drapings 7
isplayed on the walls Of the castle q
'apestries which were bought at the first 1
.orid's fair at Paris were among the n
lagnihcent possessions of the Stewards r
From tie very outset OF their occupa- a
ion, the house became the rendezvous ii
or all Of the younger generation Sena- &
or Stewart and his wife were both fond
t the young folk. The first reception "
'as held in the castle 10 celebrate its o.
pening All the elite of Washington | b
ere present and the crush. even ia that ii
reat building. was crough TO al lie par p,
,rs to overflowing. &,
Receptions balls. banquets, parties. Fl
,ncerts, ANA social entertainments Of Il
'ery description followed one after the T.;
ther at the castle, and the Stewards ai
iined reputation as entertainers that
as never been displaced. Lieutenant n,
ooker. the husband of Bessie Stewart, s.
as at one time on the stan of King KaI- "a
NauA. OF Hawaii. During King Kala- III
iua visit to the nited States he was | 81
1tertained at the Stewart Castle. and | In
nched with the family, so that even n
'yaltN, although dusky, has been re- lr
,ived under the hospitable roof. 81
Stewart Castle was designed by Arcbi- 80
ct Robert !. Fleming The land was ac- i'm,
ired by Senator Stewart as a spectla- n,
IN. Mr.. Sunderland, recently deceased "
d G. J. Itillyer. both California men | ne
10 were connected with Senator Stewart |
released large tracts of lands in This ! in,
;inity, as - speculation, believing tEat | an
time the whole city would grow AS | i-e
s been verified, to that part Of the Dis w.,
: O.. act
senator Stewart, who owned all IF the C;n
'ck upon which the castle stood even
tHy sold the balance. The buildin.. was
lleh by ire about twenty years ago
d Immediately rebuilt. Since its erec-
n, WIN the exception OF the short time lo
'Ipied IN repairing the devastations of
IRE, and eight years during whir', IL
$ occupied as the Chinese Legation l.
lator Stewart with his family occupi,d ! Ma
building. The third Minister sent bv , ,
$ the fiTst tan,ft sai ,,i, h"ak Shia1E Th
vie Tor Tour years from 1885 until 1850 dlS
lator stewart speaks in terms of high | is !
commcndation of this occupant.y aud ! sa \
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