The Washington herald., 1909-05-23

lie local real estate ElSrEet was re-
ported yesterday by the brokers as dull
Rainy weather for the past two days
brought matters largely 10 q standstlL
so far as outside operations are concern
ed and during the early days Of the
week little was done In fact, outside
OF the selling OF houses and suburban
lots. the market IS rather bare
The deal for the transfer Of the Rifles
Armory Hall property from the company
which has owned It for several years 70
Thomas Ridgate was consummated last
week This valuable property, fronting
on G street. between Ninth and Tenth,
has been for many years the meeting
place for 3 great many OF the public
and other gatherings II this city For
a long time it has been the hone OF the
Shriners, so far as their convocatioas for
the initiation OF rev members IS con-
eerned- Il has also been the meeting
place Of many lodges, at least for their
annual gatherings. and IN many ways
has been one OF the most frequented
halls in Washington.
Vow Owned by individual
The sale Of the property takes It from
the hands and management OF q stock
company into individual ownership. IN
less. as reported. 2Ir. Ridgats IS the
representative Of parties other than him
self. This report Mr.. Ridgats has de-
nied, ans he has authorized the state
ment that the property viii be held for
the purposes for which IL has been used
The passing Of deeds for four large
tracts OF acreage land IN the northern
part OF the District lying beyond the
municipal hospital site. between -Four
teerth street and Georgia avenue, brings
the elimination OF the land deal which
has been o1e OF the topics OF discussion
among real estate men since last Feb
ruary- Something Ike go acres are IL
volyed IN the transaction. and the prop
erty has been purchased by Virginia
capitalists for improvement and sale 70
hOme-seekers-
Building Toward the North.
The opening Of Jefferson Park. as the
subdivision VIII be called. attracts atten-
ton again to the expansion OF the city
to the no-thvard For the tine being. al
least, the tide OF building ard improve
ment has set IN toward the north- Il
began more than two years ago, when
the Capital Traction Company extended
its tracks 70 Decatur street and be-
yond. This action spurred Up the com
peting railroad, which extended its Eiey-
enth street railway 70 Monroe street and
provided better service 20 the lire IN
Georgia avenue
The general result has been that a large
section OF the northern suburbs has now
become accessible. after a quarter Of q
century Of stunted growth. because the
street railway company which served this
territory could not. or would not. provide
4 service adequate 10 the needs OF the
people living between Takoma Park and
the city. Now improvements are under
way which VIII change all this, and the
northern section VIII be served with car
facilities which viii enable the people
living there 20 be nd OF the appalling con
ditioDs which have so long existed at
the Seventh street loop. When tha
BrightWood car barn is completed. q
month OF two hence. and the through
service has gone into effect, the rapid
development OF the whole region from
Monroe street 20 the District line viii
rapidly follow. OF which the purchase Of
Jefferson Park IS n anticipation
Ideal Place of Residence.
In many ways the Two ridges Of high
ground which lie IN this territory are
the ideal places for residence IN the
District CT Columbia Homes there VIII
be cool In summer. heeithful always,
and at present prices for ground IN that
section II Is possible to surround the
home with q little ground for garden.
lawn, and flowers. Naturally. the n
iuence OF the speculator viii De felt
there as elsewhere. and much OF the In
est building ground in the District OF
Columbia viii be filed with blocks OF
houses, but probably at the present state
Of public opinion on the subject this
cannot be avoided Yet there Is room
for sensible homes n plenty in the north
ern suburbs, which should be occupied
IN the next few years with hsndsome
houses that would be q distinct addition
70 the city alike from the sanitary and
the architectural point OF view
Building operations IN the territory IN
der discussion is going on very rapidly
this year Hundreds Of new structures
are going up there, and the work OF
building over the ridges and fields there
has only begun