Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-09
E.
g STREETS NORTHWEST

might almost be said. quite a forward
movement can be observed. The building
at the southwest corner of 14th and II
streets. as we'll as the one adjoining on
H street. forming a part of the Oxford
Hotel property. owned by Thomas F:
Walsh, has shared with the balance of
the property, occupying broad frontages
on 14th street and on New York avenue,
in the changes that have been made during
the past season so as to adapt the struc-
lures, or, rather, group Of structures,
for business uses.
Now stores and offices have taken tho
place of the hotel rooms and also Of the
two residences on H street. On the same
side Of H street, but farther to the west
and adjoining the building of the George
Washington University. is the residence.
has remodeled and 1t Is now used for
business. Another old-time home to yield
to the change in the character Of the To-
cation is the house 1922 H street, adj
Of 18th and H streets. This property.
which was for so many years the home
of Mr.. Hobbs Of the Treasury Depart
ment. was purchased last spring by
Owen Owen and since that time has been
remodeled and has an Office in the base
ment as well as a business place on the
main floor.
Adapted for New Uses.
Surprise has been expressed to Mr..
Owen that he was able to accomplish so
much with this property. which has a
rather narrow frontage. but he has had
experience with handling property Of this
sort, as he just recently completed the
remodeling OF the building at 1904 H
street. where his business is located.
The western or rather northwestern ex-
tension Of the business section that
makes the turn to the north at 18th street
and thence runs out Connecticut avenue
has by no means beer overlooked during
the past season, and while no notable ad-
d1ttons have been made to the places for
trade still there are to be seen along the
avenues some new fronts and stores
which have been enlarged and improved
The largest building undertaking in this
locality Is the addition which is beink
made to the Grafton Hotel, and which is
going to add to the frontage on De Sales
street.
But 1t is in the resident sections of the
city where the graphic indications and
signs OF city growth are to be seen. When
one comes across rows of houses. in To-
calities that were Short time ago-or at
least that is the impression In the mind of
the average citizen-free Of all improve
ments. and when row after row follow
one another along the main thorouehfares
and up and down the side streets to dis
tances that once seemed to be out in the
country, then the observer is apt to think
that his eyes are playing him false or
that he Is under some delusion Of the
senses.
If there is any doubt OH this subject as
to the effect of the recent material devel-
opment Of the city on the mind OF one
who sees 1t for the first time, and having
his past knowledge of the city as a basis
for comparison, then 1t would be worth
while to try The experiment. For such
purpose 1t would not be necessary to
select any one locality, as almost any
street can be chosen leading out of the
city, or rather from the old bounds OF
the city, and he will come to the field of
the marvellous operations OF the past few
years. Naturally the most pronounced
growth is to be found along the street
car lines. but 1t is not confined to such
narrow scope, but spreads to the par
allel streets.
Large City Area.
The searcher for the new Washington
will find that 1t has passed beyond Rock
Creek. and that it has almost reached
Brtghtwood, both along 18th street and
Georgia avenue; that it has gone beyond
the grounds Of the Soldiers Home and
is nearing the District line on the east.
So much for the progress Of the city as
| it is expressed in rows of houses.
When the suburban or semi-suburban
development is taken into account then
| one adds to the four and five miles which
some fifteen or sixteen miles. placing the
outer rim of the city of Washington some
| twenty miles from the White House. With
| a radius of ouch length, it's circle includes
within its sweep the greater Washington
| which is so rapidly being realized.