Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-20
EARLY RIVER FRONT
Star Veteran Tells of the First
Local Boats.
WHERE THEY WERE DOCKEO
Property Originally Owned by Mr..
Young.
THE FIRST MARINE RAILWAY
How the Young People Before the
War Used to go Down
the River
HE FIRST MARINE RAILWAY

between 9th and 18th streets outh of
F. street and skirting the river has in its
transformation from the original condi-
tons undergone many changes. Though
passabIy well settled neighborhood.
with improved streets. etc. there are to
be found there some OF the primeval con-
ditons to remind one of the high banks
which were once along the rivers edge.
In colonial times it was the seat of
Motley Young, who owned niue of the
land marked out for building squares. as
well many acres in the northern and
southern portions of the L-.trict. For
years from the appearance of steamboats,
was it the landing place, and there was
some West India trade and much coast
and river trade, the latter permanently
established.
The most prominent object in the neigh
borhood was the mansion house of Mr..
Young, which, butt in 17J4, on the plat
ting of the city fell in the lines of u
street between 9th and 10th streets and
Suercd to remain till about 1867
WIEN it emolished by the cor
poration. it stood in the way of
improvements. 1t was ne specimen of
the mansions of the landed g2ntry of the
province. oblong structure of brick.
two lofty stories with wide halls. and
fronted the river southwest. afforGing
a view of many miles in any direction.
There were many buildings connected
with the farm. and within these lines were
four log houses for the white hands be-
tween the mansion and the river. near the
west line Of 9th street, and south was a
garden and graveyard. On tie west side
of 18th street between + anG q streets
was also smaller graveyard.
The old-Time Society.
For fifty years Mr.. Young lived here,
and being connected with tie CAROLS,
Fenwicks, Digges and other p-c--inent
families, with a wide acquaint nee with
the leading men of the day, the immediate
family were seldom alone OF d hospita-
BILE disposition. as his family grew up,
there were old-time social fun tons; and
al his board Washington. .omallwood.
Howard and others of military renown
sat. Being deVout Catholics, tic clergy.
when churches were few. were heartily
welcomed here: and in of the rooms
fitted as ii chapel services were frequently
held. the many hands and their families.
white and colored. attending. Among
these priests were Fathers John Carroll.
the first bishop in the United States:
Neale Plurkett the Fenwcks and Calf
ray, the first priest of St. Patrick $.
Robert Brent. the first mayor of Wash
ington. 1902 to 1872, Mr.. Ioung's son-in-
law. made his home here TIL ABOUT 1903
when he erected home of his on
18th street.
The original lay of the land from the
high river bank was very nearly level, |
and it was nearly cleared and in cultiva-
ton when IL passed to the government for |
city purposes. And. indeed much of it, |
including the streets. was worked in |
corn, rye and potatoes till near the mid |
die Of the century. SO tardy were the !
city builders. And there can yet be found |
men who made crops where now are !
we'll paved and lighted streets. 1t is true |
that before 1890 the foot of 18th street !
had become landing for steamers and
other vessels. and that street had been I
cut through the bank. but it was merely !
a dirt road. This, with the fact that some
of the Georgetown and Eastern branch
trade by sailing vessels was being shared ,
with this point. was an incentive to set
tlerilent along that street. but it came
slowly. and, indeed, vacant building sites
may yet be found.
The water front for half century was
not very well defined. for over Il part of
Water street the tide rose and fell.
About 1878 the Bradleys came The
scene. William A. Bradley Of the Bank of t
Washington. afterWard major Of the city, /
being interested in the Southern Mail
line service. in which the steamer Wash
ington was engaged. built Il wharf oppo-
site square. 356. between 10th and 18th
streets in which he had interests This
was long used by the Southern Mail
line, which from giving a triWeekly serV-
ice finally before the war ran day and
night boats. In front of the square be-
tween 18th and 18th streets in 1870 +. X. |
Kennedy owned a wharf. and six years
later James r. Thumbert also built d
wharf west. Thomas r. Riley succeeded
to the kennedy wharf in 1910. and il re-
mains Riey's wharf 70 the present.
AT these wharves the Chesapeake from
1850. the Osceola Columbia, Paul Jones, |
HooSatonic. Joe Johnson. PheniX, Angus
ia poWhatan, Mount Vernon and others
doc<ed. making trips To Norfolk, Balti- |
more and to river points. the ferry boats
to Alexandria three or four times day.
First Modern Steamboat