Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-23
ABOUT THOMAS CIRCLE
History of important Section
of Capital City.
THE MARCH OF PROGRESS
Fourteenth Street Once Mere Wagon
Track.
SQUARES 1925 AND 244-47
One of Early Mansions, Since Mod
ernized. Now Occupied by
Bishop Satterlee.


off as SQUARES 212 TO 20 and pa to 247.
L. n. 18th and 18th streets. with Vermont
and Massachusetts avenues intersecting.
form the boundary lines. What is now
Highland terrace in the early days was a
hill of easy ascent from the east, and the
ground was of rolling character. This
is still apparent because a few houses in
this space are now on the natural grade.
Most OF the land in the beginning of
the last century was owned by Gen.
John Davidson. The northwest fraction
of the tract known as Jamaica Plains
was in possession of Samuel Blodgett.
Except for some Improvement on the cor
ner of Massachusetts, avenue and 18th
street about the year 1920. most of the
lots remained in the state OF nature till
nearly 1910. In fact while they are
noted on the early tax books. it does not
appear that all of them were appraised.
and all that were rated bore from one
half cent to two cents per foot valuation.
The establishment of the National race
course about 1904. and Columbian College.
now George Washington University. north
of the city resulted in 18th street becom-
ing a much-used road. For fifty years or
more it was simply wagon track, and
in racing seasons between 1904 and 1850
animated scenes were witnessed in the
passing of every conceivable variety Of
vehicle and hundreds of horsemen and
pedestrians. So much interest was then
taken III the races tndt congress, II IS
said. often adjourned in time for the
members to attend. Thomas Circle was
the point at which the crowds travelling
by way of Massachusetts avenue and
Vermont avenue Joined those from down
town.
Col. Graham's Hospitality.
The first material improvement in the
vicinity was to the northwest OF the cir
Gle. in square 212. This square, between
14th and 18th streets north of Massa-
chusetts avenue. was laid of in sixteen
lots in 1I9S Davidson's heirs were given
lots 3 and 4. Blodgett ) to 1O-the west
half of the square-and the United States
IL to Is. In 1903 Thomas Snowden ac-
quired lots and 5; in 1907 r. S. Beckley
8 to 10. and the latter in 1918 went to
Thomas Munroe and the next year to
e. Coles. In 1917 John Graham came into
the square. acquiring lots IL to Is and
afterward lots l and 2. thus owning the
whole east part of the square. Here MI
Graham erected a palatial edifice. whose
walls are yet standing. They form a part
of the now modernized residences of Bsh-
op Satterlee and the Haitian minister. 1t
was building in keeping with the loca-
ton. and for many years was noted
place.
Col. Graham. as he was known was a
Virginia gentleman of the old school. who
in the Madison and Monroe adninistra-
ton, filled the Office of chief clerk Of the
d
agent was sent to Brazil and other South
American countries, and was sent by the
government to the southwest to interview
LATTE
house In the twenties. when he was Sec
rotary Of the Treasury, and when, in 1928
he was a prominent candidate for the
presidency. The contest in which he was
concerned was decided in the House of
Representatives in favor Of John Quincy
Adams.
Residence a Political Center.
During the campaign in which the can
didates were Gen. Jackson and Henry
Clay the residence was a political center
as well as the scene of many brilliant
entertainments. In 1881 the property
changed hands. Col. Charles Hill buying
lots II and Is and the buildings from
Susan Graham for $1O.5OO. Afterward
he secured lots 3 to and IL to Is. and be-
came the owner of more than half the
square. Under Mr.. Hills ownership his
name was applied to the entire locality.
the circle being development of later
years. Mr. Hill was a member of the
and as planter was famed for his many
acres and his success In business ven-
lures. Under his ownership the property
was improved by gardens Of utility and
ornamen mt, and became one Of the beauty
sIots of the capital
Col. Hill was most generous host, en-
PERTAINING many leading persons of the
day For many years he was director
Of the Bank of the Metropolis and num-
bered many friends among the business
men of the community. While he did
not neglect his interests in Maryland, he
was ever mindful OF the needs of the
city and District. The place was sold
about 1870 for little less than 100000
to the late Thomas B. Bryan. who was a
Commissioner OF the District When Col
Hill bought the property two cents per
foot was the ground rate and the improve
tnents were listed at $1,000
Washington's First Milk Wagon.
In 1912 lots 3. and 10. extending
through the center Of the square were
sold to William II. Dietz. and in 1916 Will
liam Dunawin bought lots to o. in the
west of the square. Mr.. Dunawin erected
two-story brick dwelling at the corner
of 18th street and engaged in the dairy
business II Is said he was the first to
use wagon on a milk route In this city
The triangle known as square 2l3, be-
tween NJ street and Massachusetts avenue
east OF 18th street. has but brief his
tory. Laid of in two lots and In 1916
assigned to Davdson's heirs they were
sublivided and assessed first at one cent per
foot. Afterward the valuation was as
low as one-half cent. In 1903 title was
uel Rainey owned the lots, and afterward
they were sold to John Brannan. The
valuation of one-half a cent per foot re-
manned unchanged for thirty years. while
the only improvement was one Of 500
listed in the name OF Davidson's heirs
Mr. Brannan erected a two-story frame
house on the north side OF NJ street nea
18th street. in which he, and afterWard
his family, lived until quite recently.
Between Vermont avenue, 18TH l. and
NJ streets. square 214 was plated 10,
twenty lots. and in 1897 these were an
portioned to the Davidsons. In 1901 7
NJ Cant and A. Shaaf each had lots on
Nj street: in 1903 Thomas Snowden had
several lots. and the next year ]. South
gSte leased lot 12 on NJ street In 1.Ia
Commodore Decatur and Col Bomford
owned eight lots on l.. 10Th and NJ streets
and at the northeast corner Of the souare
George Sutton bought lot on l, street
from Thomas Crown and erected a nuild
ing appraised at 1000. which in 1888 he
conveyed to Daniel Baker. Mr. Bake
afterward bought lot. 1, at the corner Of
Vermont avenue. and Mr.. Jeffers became
tending from the corner of l. street. In
the thirties A. r. Watson. w c. God
dard, Samuel Redfern and Peter Callen
were listed to Mr. Baker, 81 500: Mr..
Goddard. 500: w. Campbell. $1,000, and
Williams. $500.
Settlement of Colored People.
In the forties r. T. Morsell purchased
the Baker house on L street. He was a
clerk in the land Office. His family re-
sided in the house for more than fifty