Evening star., 1909-09-04
SOME EARLY SETTLERS
Titles to Land North of the
Capitol Grounds.
SUGGESTION BY THORNTON
Wanted Space Left for Columbus
Memorial.
MATTER IGNORED FOR YEARS
Values of Lots on Territory Now
Covered by the Union Station
and It's Approaches.
MATTER IGNORED FOR YEARS


suggestion was made by DR.. William
Thornton to locate the Capitol so as to
leave space west of it for site for
a memorial to Christopher Columbus.
but the matter has been held in allegiance
for nearly 100 years. Now such a
monument is TO be placed In what was
then, and years after. most unpromis-
ing section, albeit within short distance
from that proposed. This has been made
possible by the thorough changes which
have taken place between North Capitol,
1st. E and G streets northeast by the loca-
tion there of the Union station. The
grades have been raised. street lines
changed and building lots obliterated. In
fact, nothing remains of the original sur
face of the ground, and the stream which
rose mile east and at Massachusetts and
Delaware avenues flowed on to the Tiber
Is now remembered only by people of fifty
years and upward.
Good Pasturage Afforded.
That it was all open ground around, af
fording good pasturage for cattle rowing
at large and producing no revenue, is ap-
parent. 1t is not strange that there was
little demand for street improvements
when the ground was listed for . mills
foot for many years, cent value not
being reached until 1850. and then only in
the southeastern portion.
Notwithstanding the above conditions
many lots here were included in the agree
ment of Mr.. Greenleaf to purchase many
hundred lots, with the condition that ne
should erect house on every third lot.
Godefroy and the English building COM
pany, Pratt, Miller ct al, took title but
the hope of fine buildings rising was in
vain. In the allotment between the own
ers and the government the latter re-
lf,1nA 70 hal 10tS xrffI,
the exception of six to Mr.. Oden and
nine to William Prout. Mr.. Carroll was
allotted the others. Mr.. Carroll in 1921
leased lot on E street between I'd and
Sd of twenty-five feet front to Jonathan
Simmons for ninety-nine years, at SO,
with the privilege of purchase for ST;
but 1t does not appear that he improved
1t. In 1880 this lot, with eight others.
was conveyed to Benjamin Pollard, and
in fSi7 James Crutchett was the owner
Mr.. Carroll In 1920 conveyed his title
i'll the other squares to Moses Tabbs.
Roger c. Weightman and Richard Wal
ZACH, in trust to sell, but sales were
slowly made.
Land on Massachusetts, Avenue.
In the square OF ten lots fronting
Massachusetts, avenue, North Capitol and
L streets. No $50. the title remained In
the government to half the lots, and in
the remainder Greenleaf, Godefroy and
William Fisher owned the Carroll lots
Directly north. square 679, has the same
history to 1910, when w. G Cranch had
the west lot and five years after G. c.
isnn TANNER dasaod the other to which w William
ween F. G and North Capitol streets and
Delaware avenue, the ancient history of
the twelve lots is similar. In 1927 John
r. Ingle was an owner, two years after
Benjamin Odin. and w G. Cranch in
1912
Twenty-Five lots on 1st, I'd. E and F
streets. now in the plaza lines fronting
the Union station, with the exception of
angular pieces. comprised original
square I2l and history similar to the
above was theirs until 1s41. when Mr..
crutchett had title.
In square 30. which the station now
partially covers. there were TWENTY-FIVE
lots. whose history IS somewhat different
After Greenleef came Pratt, Francis ct
Al. in 1927 In 1921, the Bank Of Wash
ington had title. \. Fenwick in 1916 and
Mr.. Crltchett two years after
The square known as 154, of eighteen
lots on ID Sd. f and F streets in which
Mr.. Simmons, stated above had a
lease In 1921, differed little from the fore
going until that year, and in 1s37 James
Crutchett owned half of it. Almost pre-
cisely the same can be written of the
twenty-four lots in square 49, which
front on +. G, I'd and Sd streets
Square TO. fronting f. +, Sd and 4th
streets, had eighteen lots. Four passed
10 T. Farrell in 1872. John Shaw and
James Birth bought one in 1909 and
James Mccormick two. and the Farrell
lots went to Annie Halliday. In 1926 S
s Pearson owned the Shaw and -iirtll
lot. and G.. c. Grammer in 1888 had four
Square 17S, between r, 6, I'd and 4th
streets remained in the original owners
until 1885 when w. c. Orme owned three
lots, corner OF 4th and + streets. In
1S4S j. n. Brown was an owner, and
John G. Adams in 1S4I.
JAMES CROGGON.