Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-29
ANCIENT LANDMARKS
Remnants of Old Buildings in
the Heart of the City.
ERECTED A CENTURY AGO
Early Settlers of Section North of
Franklin Statue.
THE REAL ESTATE CONDITIONS
Land Which Now Commands High
Figures Then Sold for Almost
Nominal Sum.

North of the statue of Franklin, otherwise
or pennsylvania avenue and D street be-
tween 10th and 11th streets, is not without
interest even to those not to the manor
born. Though few and far between were
the habitations of man In the capital city
until the last century was we'll advanced,
that portion Of this strip south of street
long since took on the dignity of a business
and residential section What, with depart
ment clerks tradesmen, mechanics, etc, a
popular auction corner yet such and con-
genial residents, though there were a few
taverns, 1t is easy to realize that the neigh
borhood near the avenue was a favorite
stamping ground.
1t need not be said that for the first quar-
ter of the last century so much grass and
weeds were to be seen in the streets that
few could realize that such a city as the
Washington of today was being evolved.
With the stream which Zigzagged down
18th street from north of F street, that
from Franklin square coursing south of H
street, and little of the building ground on
the grade progress in city building was
somewhat retarded.
North of K street nature had kindly de-
posted much red gravel in a hill. by which
foot walks came dirt cheap, digging, haul
ing and dumping only being required, and
much of the paving north of G street prior
old citizen that while the corporation value
of ground was expressed in cents, the prices
paid were based on the MILL and that at
times land owners unloaded far below the
corporation value.
Increase of Values.
The valuation of improvements in the
square between 10th, 18th, d and E streets
was but $500 in 1902, of which R. B.
Brashears, on the 10th street corner, was
assessed on $3.50; Thomas Given, on the
east side of 18th street, 5000 on a carpen-
ter shop and H. Thompson, $3.50 BY 1920
the land value had increased from to II
cents to go and 20 cents on the avenue,
and the improvements to over $4,000. On
the 10th street corner Col. Joseph Whea-
ton had an interest in 1911 and c. W.
Pairo in 1915. The buildings in 1920 were
assessed to Mr.. Pairo at $500 and r. AL
mond at $3.50. Ten years later Robert
Easton was assessed 81 500 and Mr. Pairo
$4,000 here. Capt. Peter Lenox owned the
adjoining lot west, which, passing to
John Knoblock in 1902. went to Col. VIM.
Benning and r. Singer in 1925. Col. Ben
ning's improvements were valued at S4,
600 and Mr.. Singers residence at 5000.
John King bought the adjoining lot in
1913 and leased 1t to N p Thomas in 1916,
on which ground were improvements val
ued at $500. Ten years later Clement
Woodward erected the building known by
his name and the firm of Woodward &
King, In the stove and timing business,
was established P. D. Moore became the
owner of the southwest corner of the
square lot four. in 1905 long known as
Robert Farnham's book store, now Bren-
tano's, and later R. B. Washington owned
the corner house. This In 1920 he sold to
Francis Coyle. and the same year he was
assessed for $4,000 improvements and Mr..
Pairo $4,000 on the adjoining house east
ward. Here was the printing Office of Mr..
Coyle, who was succeeded by the firm of
u. IN oil ayaS ttrr oh IN
of James Drury About 1910 the south
east corner of the square passed into the
hands of James c. MCGUIRE, who estab-
lished bookbindery In the upper part of
the building, while the lower portion was
given to the auction and commission bus
mess OF r. w. Dyer, with whom Mr.. Nc
CURE entered a partnership. This firm
was a success from the start, its motto,
ITO sell cheap for those who buy and
dear for those who SELL" taking with the
public.
About the center OF the square in the
early part of the century was probably
Washington's first lace and trimming store.
then conducted by Bragdon & Twombly,
afrerward by ]. B, King & Bro. and Cap
tain Joseph B. Tate & Bro. In the twenties
there were, on d street the properties of
Tucker. bellhanger; James Newall, shoe
maker. and in the forties ]. K. Boyd, up
holsterer. and P McArdle. matchmaker;
Pusley w. Simpson followed the grocery
business near the corner of-11th street.
where he was succeeded by VIM. Orme.
In 1917 Thomas Givin. a carpenter and
builder, long in charge of woodworking at
the arsenal. had a shop valued at 500 on
18th street. and later a dwelling which
was assessed at 81 600 In 1920 the house
long occupied by the Hauptman family was,
in the name of Walter Smith. assessed at
s., 200. Daniel Hauptman, who prior lived
on the post office site, bought part of lot
and resided here long enough to see his
sens old men following him in the thinning
business w. Fadermehle, Martin Gusta
and Mrs. Ann McGonigle owned parts of
the same lot. the latter being assessed S4o0
for improvements. In 1850 Charles Glover
owned the lot at the southeast corner of
18th and < streets. which in 1904 passed
TO George Downs and George Moore. and
T. ]. Mudd leased part. which in fS20 was
taxed for a s400 Improvement. T. ].
Southerlandssa treasury messenger, in 1913
bought part of this lot fronting Z street,
and was taxed on a 500 house. Stephen
Pleasanton and Daniel Brent owned prop
erty which before 1890 was in the name
Of - Willis assessed for a 500 build
Ing In 1928 w. NJ Grips bought the
property to which his name has been given
and an $500 house was taxed In the thirties.
Charles Lyons owned adjoining ground. ].
b. White in 1916 and Nicholas Tasiet in
1921 bought property on Z street assessed
at 500 and 500. respectively. On 10th
street between d and f streets b. NJ Belt
cabinetmaker: George Moore and A. ]. VIZ
lard owned property, the house of Moore be-
ing assessed at $500 and of the latter 81 500
South was lot owned by G. Carusi in 1876
and by Francis Mast in 1896 Next south
was fine three-story house owned by Mrs
Ann McGonigle. assessed in 1920 at $4350
and thus as Mrs. McG.'s tavern was pop
ular resort. In 1915 F. A. Wagier, a we'll
known musician, bought lot north of D
street. and five years later H. Thomas had
500 house on 1t. and Mrs. McGonigle a
building assessed at $50.
Early Settlement
In the square north between E street and
+. 10th and 18th streets, there were early
purchases, building and settlement. though
tbs. first valuation was reduced from to
ceIts In 1920 It was from 10 to 20 cents.
In 1900 the lot at the northwest corner of
10th and e streets was owned by Michael
Shanks and ]. J. Dermott. while those adj
Joining on the west belonged to Capt. Peter
Lenox. a builder. In 1902 the buildings bore
500 and SEQ on the two lots which were