Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-04-19
TREND Of THE
C|TY'S GROWTH
Progress of Washington in
Northwest Direction.
FIGURES FROM THE CENSUS
Improvements Extend Far Beyond
Old Boundary Line.
SOME OF THE SUBDIVISIONS
Beautiful Homes and Numerous In
situations Which Add to the
Attractiveness Of Suburbs.
improvements Extend Far Beyond
Old Boundary Line.
SOME OF THE SUBDIVISIONS

The growth Of Washington bears close
analogy to that of the United States in
that its greatest development is toward
the northwest While the increase In
population is pushing Washington's Dor
ders out in all directions. the largest de-
gree OF this expansion is and almost al
WAYS since the foundation of the city
has been in a northwesterly direction
Probably this fact has no better illustra-
ton than the figures shown in the va
rious censuses OF the District by the
metropolitan police department. The first
police census taken April 1. 1897. placed
the total population Of the District of
Columbia at 2711S2, and of all of the pre-
cincts included in the northwest at Ill
142 There was not another police census
until April IL 1905. but in the spring of
each year since the latter date the police
have enumerated the population. lr 1900
the grand total was 30. III. ana or the
northwest section 2ooO11. In 1909 the TO-
tai was S26 435. and of the northwest W.
71s. The census Of April 10, 1907. lndi-
Gated that 2OSO51 of the total of 1851
souls within the District of Columbia were
residing west of North Capitol street and
north of the imaginary line running
through the center of the Mall.
There are many reasons why the tend
ency of the growth of the city has been
toward the northwest. and equally as
many reasons why most of the important
business enterprises in the Capital city
have been launched in the downtown
portion of this same quarter of the city.
1t is possibly true that the same indie
Unable tendency in American civilization
to build steadily toward the setting sun
has equally strong illustration in other
cities. but one of the reasons which has
led to general preference in the
northwest" in this Capital city has been
the fact that this section abounds in the
higher attitudes In the community.
Beyond Old Boundary Line.
While in the aggregate there is much
residence building in Northwest Wash
ington the very great proportion of this
is going beyond Florida avenue. the old
boundary line. and concentrating along
the two somewhat paralleling exclusive
residence thOroughfares of Connecticut
avenue and Massachusetts, avenue. With
in few years Sheridan Circle has forged
TO the front and bids fair to compete at
some time In the future with Dupont Cir
Gle. whose claim as the society center of
Washington has long been undisputed.
Development along this line has already
passed Sheridan Circle to a considerable
distance. and the next move will be seen
in the magnificent homes along Massa-
Chusetts avenue beyond Rock Creek rark.
TO the right and a little to the west of
Sheridan Circle and toward Connecticut
avenue John Hays Hammond. the noted
multi-millionaire from Africa, has ac-
ouired large holdings on kalorama
Heights. This property he intends to
beautify with very costly improvements
which will have an Appropriate setting of
ground acres in extent.
Means Of Development.
Two things. one of which has already
been contaminated. mean much to the
development Of this territory. One of
these is the Connecticut avenue bridge,
spanning Rock Creek valley. which has
been open to trafiic for soome time. This
bridge. which il the finest specimen of
concrete bridge architecture in the world,
has perhaps received more newspaper no
tice than any other large bridge erected
in this generation. Practically all scien-
tifc and technical magazines. as we'll as
a number of popular magazines, have
given 1t extensive notice.
The other thing which will have a not
inconsiderable bearing Is the proposed ad-
difion to Rock Creek Park. which will
take in the land reaching to Massachu-