Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-05
Originally a Boarding House, But
Later Used for Depot Office Purposes.


coutrements. Although the full power OF
the engines was by no means brought into
play on this memorable occasion. yet the
result had very impressive effect on the
many thousands who had witnessed ii and
were thus furnished with ocular demonstra-
ton Of the new and immense facilities Gre
ated by railroads and locomotive engines
upon them in the transit of persons and
property and. in fact, of whole armies and
their accom- paniments."
Arrival Of Gen. Harrison.
The arrival here of Gen. W. H. Harrison
in February. 1871, preceding his Inaugural
ton as President. was event of more
than ordinary interest. Preparations had
been made by Mayor Seaton and the city
councils to receive him. but for some rea-
son he was landed in the depot ahead Of
the time he was expected. 1t so happened
that Mr.. James Lawrenson: long a CORE
spondent and connected with the Inteili-
gencer, was there and he knew of the ar
rangements, and informed Gen Har-
rison. 1t was showing at the time and
he suggested that they retire to a room
and await the mayor and committee whom
he was sr:. would soon appear. This the
general did and in a little tine the receiving
party appeared. By that time several
hundred persons despite the SnoWstorm,
had formed lines on the avenue through
which Gen. Harrison escorted, while
there were continuous cheers as he passed
He persisted in acknowledging the ovation
by uncoyering his head, and to the cold
then contracted by him his death in
a month after his Inauguration attributed.
Up Az street he was escorted to the
City Hall, where he was formally well
coined, and after receiving many citizens
repaired to the residence of the mayor as
the guest of the latter.
AS stated. the avenue or ID street depot
that period all the railroad business pas
senger and freight, in the District was
transacted there, and it was becoming too
small for the service The passenger bust
ness had grown proportionately with the
population more than doubled and half
dozen trains each way hauled the passen-
gers For the accommodation of the
freight a warehouse with Office and sheds
had been erected in the square between Il,
c. list and I'd streets. More room was great
ly needed and the question to where
should be located the de.ot was an i'm
portant one. While the railroad company
was considering the matter the govern
ment and the corporation were looking
to the approaches to the Capitol grounds
from the northwest by way of Indiana
avenue, and the making of n short cut be-
tween the Capitol and the City Hail.. A
stream which, passing through Judiciary
Square, flowed in Indiana avenue eastward
to the Tiber and the Tiber Itself had to
be considered as large items involved in
the improvements projected
Left Below Grade.
Congress. in 1S4S, appropriated $13,500
for grading and graveling Indiana avenue
Sd street to Capital Hill. and constructing
a culvert under the same. Additional ap-
preparations were made in 1850, and by
1852 more than so. 600 had been paid out.
In 1850 appropriation was made for the
improvement Of New Jersey avenue from
B to f streets, and by 1852 $4,000 had
been expended therefor a bridge over the
Tiber being included. The natural rise
In New Jersey avenue before that was
from about the corner-of G street south
ward, but the established grade was sew