The Washington times., 1902-06-08
New Life Now Seems at
Hand for Once AriSto-
cratic Neighborhood.
D. A. R. TO BUILD HALL THERE
Fine $4,000 Structure to Be Erected
on Seventeenth Street, Near Corcoran
Gallery CT Art - Important Realty
Movements of the Week.

INDICATIONS lndl tldl oiCe dIiSloCI dbiN
and now long-neglected portion of
Washington south of Pennsylvania Ave
nue., in the neighborhood of Seventeenth
Street, will again be developed.
A committee of the Daughters of the
American Revolution determined, dur
ing the past week, to erect Continental
Hall, headquarters for their organiza-
tion, on Seventeenth Street, just below
the Corcoran Art Gallery, and on the
square north of what is known as Van
Ness Park. There is one square be-
tween this location and the Corcoran
Art Gallery. The entire frontage of the
square on Seventeenth Street, between
c and d Streets, over 200 feet, has
been secured. and there are also ample
frontages on the other two streets. For
the $4,000 square feet there was paid
SLAB per square foot, the aggregate be-
ing little over $4,000. 1t is safe to
say that the ladies have got more land
for their money by going where they
did than they could possibly in any
other section of the city that is equally
central in location. The sale was made
through W. H. Acker and J. Eakin Gads-
by, real estate brokers.
$4,000 Available for Site.
The funds are on hand for the pur-
chase of the site, and the committee
having the matter in charge have been
endeavoring for some time to reach
decision as to where the structure
should be located. In the case of a So
ciety like the Daughters of the American
Revolution, with a membership running
up to $4,000, it is possible to accumu-
late a large sum of money in a short
time. The society has on hand for the
purchase of a building site some $50 900.
1t was necessary that the location
should be a central one, and in the sec
ond place that there should be room
enough to put up structure containing
hall with a seating capacity of about
1000.
The decision to place the new struc-
ture on Seventeenth Street just south
of the Corcoran Art Gallery building is
recognized as accomplishing very fully
the objects in view.
Surprising Changes to Be Noted.
The plan. it is believed, will prove
but a feature in the development
of that locality in the ne;ghborhood of
lower Seventeenth Street. For years
that section has been left behind in the
march of modern improvements, but
slowly of late change in conditions
has taken place. Perhaps the most
striking change was taken when the
trustees of the Corcoran Art Gallery
erected the splendid marble building
which is now the home of art. Then
came the extension of the Pennsylvania
Avenue line of street cars through this
section, which was followed by the
erection of many new buildings, espe-
cially dwellings. and recently apart
ment houses. Those who have not been
in that quarter for some years would
see surprising changes
1t is likely that Seventeenth Street
will become an important thoroughfare
If the plans of the Parking Commission
are adhered to, as the proposed en-
trance to the memorial bridge is to be
in line with the Washington Monument
and one of the approaches to it would
undoubtedly be Seventeenth Street.
Mammoth Hall Planned.
In connection with the purchase of
this land by the Daughters, it might be
interesting to note that there is
movement on foot among the literary,
scientific and musical circles for the
erection of mammoth hall in Wash
ington for the accommodation of such
affairs. At meeting. held two or three
months ago at the Cosmos Club, a com
mittee was appointed to confer with the
officers OF the Daughters relative to
their intentions in securing a site and
erecting building. 1t was decided to
take no further steps in the matter un-
til the Daughters had arranged their
plans, and it is possible the hall may
be constructed so as to suit the uses of
the musicians and scientists. However
If this is not done. it is only a question
of time when those promoting the erec-
tlon of new hall will have things un-
der way.
Sale of Wesley A. M E. Church.
Another sale of Importance made dur
ing the week was that OF the John Wes-
ley a. NJ. E. Zion Church property, on
the west side of Connecticut Avenue,
between and NJ Streets northwest.
The details of the sale have not yet
been made public. but it is known the
selling price was in the neighborhood
OF si7, 900. The property has front
age Of SO feet by depth of 112 feet to
an alley, and contains 6,944 square feet.
which would make the selling price
about $3.50 per square foot The pur-
chaser proposes to remove the present
ediiice and improve the site with fine
business structure.
In the same neighborhood other i'm
proyements are contemplated, and with
in the next year or two there will be
many changes In the architectural ap
pearance of that section. Colonel Hig
bee, of Des Moines, recently purchased
the northwest corner of Connecticut
Avenue and L Street. which will soon
be improved. while Rauscher will make
an addition to his establishment on the
opposite corner at an early date. Mr..
Jules Demonet intends remodeling the
residence at the southeast corner of
Connecticut and Rhode. Island Avenues
northwest, which he recently purchased, |
while improvements viii also be made
in the same block
Mr.. Hays Big Apartment House.
On the square just south of this. on
the east side OF Connecticut Avenue. |
work will soon be commenced on the |
mammoth apartment house which Sec
retary Hay intends erecting there. He |