Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-19
WHEN CITY WAS YOUNG
Early Efforts Made to Secure
Outside Trade.
BEFORE DAYS OF BRIDGES
Early Ferry Line Between Washing
ton and Alexandra.
STAGE LINES WERE PROSPEROUS
Developments Came With Advance Of
Time and Horse Power Gave
Way to Steam.
STAGE LINES WERE PROSPEROUS

When the city Of Washington was q
weakling-in fact, before it had under its
incorporation assumed the name of city Of
Washington in lieu Of the Federal City
the pioneer settlers turned attention to
improving facilities for trade and inter-
course with the world. There was at the
time, of course, communication by water
and a mail route running through George
town, but the want of bridges over the Po-
tomac and the Eastern branch made land
communication with Maryland and eastern
Virginia difficult and circuitous. There
either to Maryland or to the Virginia por-
ton Of the District. Alexandra county.
There was communication northward by
stages-more than one line to Baltimore
but for a number Of years Georgetown was
the starting point. Indeed, that place. sep
arated only by Rock Creek from Washing
ton, and having had start Of fifty years,
retained her position as to trade for more
than a quarter Of century after Washing
ton was acknowledged to be in existence,
and, being on the great post route, which
swept around from north of the city by
stages through Georgetown. it was from
that Office the Washington office was sup
piled.
A ferry at Georgetown was link in the
great post route and packet ran between
that place and Alexandra. Georgetown at
that time, and long after, had some trade
across the seas, and some of the early set
tiers, especially the CAROLS Laws, Youngs,
Capt. Barry. Peter Miller and others, We're
optimistic as to that section where Car
rollsburg had been laid off prior to the rev.
olution. A sugar house and bakery had
been erected near the eastern terminus OF
the city, and the ship biscuit from the
bakery found a ready sale. In the interest
Of trade closer intercourse with Alexandra
was sought, as well as in other directions.
There was goodly depth OF water around
Turkey BuZzard Point and visions of large
vessels in the Port Of Carrollsburg en-
couraged the first settlers to make extra
effort for country as well as maritime trade
The Eastern branch was then navi-
gable stream, and until 1S43 quite large YES
bacco at the Bladensburg wharfs Tor Tor
eign ports, but in the year named the last
vessel of any considerable size, the brig
Rover passed down to Alexandria, where
her cargo went to complete that Of larger
vessel. From the fact that there Is pre-
served in the Trunnel family Of Georgetown
q bill Of lading Of ship which cleared
the port of Bladensburg in I!63. the port
of Carrollsburg was mentioned in English
Journals, which included also Alexandria
and Georgetown, and there was thus four
seaports within six miles of the capital
There are among the old residents OF
Washington some who participated in q
democratic barbecue at Bladensburg July
T. 1910. going up on a steamboat from the
navy yard.
Bridge Over Anacostia River.
Some of the leading citizens of Washing
ton, while recognizing the Importance Of
the Eastern branch, were not unmindful
that better facilities for country trade were
needed. and bridging the Anacostla river
was suggested. Through the Maryland leg
islation, Daniel Carroll. George Walker,
Motley Young, Thomas Law and others,
in 1795 obtained an act Of Incorporation for
1.-THE Eastern Branch Bridge Company"
structed from the foot of Kentucky avenue
to the lands Of Matthew Wigfeld, by which
connection was made with roads to MARI
borough and other places in Maryland. Not
far from the bridge half dozen dry goods
stores and a number Of groceries fiourished
during the early days. catching much of
the trade from beyond the branch" This
bridge was burned at the time Of the inva-
sion of Washington by the British in Au-
gust. 1914, but fortunately only partially de-
stroyed, and In short time 1t was restored.
In the summer Of 1916 it was again fred by
the sparks from a steamer en- route with
exeursionists to camp meeting in Pyles'
woods, near Benning. This time the de-
struction was complete. nothing above wa
ter being left and for years the charred
tops of the piles at low water marked its
location.
The second bridge constructed over "tha
branch" was that known as Benning, on
the line Of H street extended This bridge
has been in use for over 100 years. 1t
was built by the Anacostia Bridge Com
Law and John Templeman were the in
January, 17es. '1''0 -
The Navy Yard bridge was the third
today is on its original location. It was was
built by the Navy Yard Bridge Company
under an act Of Congress Of 1919, with
VIM: Prout. VIM. Marbury. Samuel N.
as the incorporators. This was
until the forties toll bridge, cents be-
ing exacted for each passenger, horse
mule of head Of cattle cents for each
hog or sheep and for each vehicle cents
A ferry boat running from the south
end of New Jersey avenue to Poplar
Point opposite was link in what was to
tablished by Capt. w. Booth about 1900,
and reaching roads leading to a point
opposite Alexandria, Piscataway and
other, places. It was much appreciated.
That this was the case with people bound
through the city IL shown by an old map
of Washington In which is depicted q
serpentliks road from the northeast
boundary Of the city to the ferry wharf,.
new stage lines to Maryland points came in
operation. Marlboro Annapolis, Port To-
baoco and Leonardtown had horse connec-
ton Win cho Capltat-Or, rather, with
for until about 1920, as far as
business was concerned. that was the CEN
trail point. But the stages took in the Wash
ington hotels. and soon aftsrward Washing
tcn became the starting point.
Staging Lucrative Business.
Staging in those days was lucrative
business Most OF the public conveyances
made tri-weekly trips. but there were few
routes which had no opposition. and conse-
quently the public had daily service, in
starting at least Each OF the lines had
its distinctive colors. and were known as
the blue or red line: but SO near blue was
the green of q rival that in the advertise
ments the public was requested ito be care
full before embarking" There were Beltz-
er's and Fuller's on the Baltimore route;
Semmes & Thompson's on the Leopardtown
route. and Col. Taylor's on the Frederick
route. With the establishment Of the rail-
a. I