Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-14
KNOWN As PROUT FARM
In Vicinity of K Street and Vir-
ginia Avenue Southeast.
SOME OLD-TIME RESIDENTS
Possession of Property First Held
Under Leases.
SUBDIVISION OF SQUARE 92s
Large Area at 9th and K Streets,
Where open-Air Meetings
Were Held.
SOME OLD-TIME RESIDENTS
SUBDIVISION OF SQUARE e2s

There is portion Of Washington, once
in the lines of the Prout farm north of the
section described in The Star Of the 7th In
slant, from which the excavation, made
for~the navy yard tunnel of the Baltimore
and Potomac railroad removed much Of
the original soil. This. however, being
within the lines of K street and Virginia
avenue, did not affect the rights of the pri-
vate owners, and when the ditch was re-
filled the old conditions were restored.
North of this cut are four squares laid off.
on the original plan. Nos. $40 and $50
between 1 and X, 9th and 7th streets. and
Nos 9O5 and 92S. between 1 and X streets
eastward to 9th street According to the
original lay Of the land the first was on
the hillside, the second in the bottom and
the others on the level plateau. The squares
east Of It'll street appear to have been set
tied first according to records obtainable.
and there Is interesting history as to all Of
the squares, the names of the forefathers
of many families of the present day being
linked with the records, and much family
history has come through with the growing
generations.
With the exception of Sth street and the
vicinity Of the market. little material i'm
provement was made in the section until in
the twenties. Some few brick pavements
and oil lamps were then In evidence on 9Th
street and near the market at 9th and K
streets. Though the market house had in
duced some little settlement on X street,
and the corporation fire apparatus in
charge of the Anacostia fire company and
a log lookup, or prison, near Ith and K
streets. indicated that there was a munich
pal government in existence. the view north
of the market for the first fifty years Of
the city's history revealed green hills and
few buildings. Eastward there were some
buildings constructed in the early years Of
the century.
Possession Commenced Under Leases
1t would appear, from the fact that for
very many years but few absolute fee sim
pie titles were passed. that the early set
tiers commenced possession under leases.
These generally being for long term nine
ty-nine years. and renewable forever. with
the privilege to purchase at stipulated
sum, there was but little hesitancy In erect
ing houses and other buildings. That the
settlers were thrifty Is evidenced by the
fact that in very many instances in a few
years titles In fee took the place of leases.
In square No. 1873, formed within the lines
of 18th and K streets and Virginia avenue,
there were but two lots projected and these
the same year he sold both to Augustus
Woodward. who, in 1904 conveyed them
back to Mr.. Prout. In 1908 l.. Harrington
had title in lot l. and the next year the
lease of a frame house and ground In lot 3
was made to ]. Bowen. In 1914 ]. NJ
Brashears and James Mackim had title in
lot =, and house and stable Is mentioned
In the deed. In 1923 part Of lot 1 was con-
veyed to Thomas Lyndall master Joiner,
aand In 1896 James Bury. master black
smith, was a resident on the square. Mrs.
Bury survived her husband, and lived in
the house for many years. The house Is
standing at the present day.
In 1920 the ground was valued at cents
per foot and J. Bowen was assessed for a
5000 improvement. In 1888 this was re-
duced to $3.50: Mrs Lyndall was assessed
on $50, and Mr.. Bury, S11OO.
The square southeast of 9th street. facing
the market, contained two lots which, In
1908. were vested in the original owner
Mr.. Prout. No improvements appear In the
early days. when cents per foot was the
valuation Of the ground. Though there are
no record of improvements on the original
books, leases appear in 1906 to r. Delphy