Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-06
OLD NoRMANsToNE HOUSE.
RAPID TRANSFORMATIO OF
FARM LAND TO HOUSE SITES
Large Tract North of Massachusetts, Avenue
Which May Have to Be Treated
in Novel Manner

What is known as the development Of
acreage property In localities near to the
city is going on at a rate that Is un-
usual even about Washington, which Is
growing so fast as q population center.
What is meant by development when APP
piled to property Of that sort Is that IT is
being brought to grade, that streets are
being opened through it and In some
cases sewers being laid as we'll as gas
and waterpipes and sidewalks supplied
and even trees are being planted along
the streets.
When all is done or even partially COM
pleted then the public Is invited to come
and buy building sites and perhaps the
projectors of the enterprise build some
houses themselves. which they sell. and
SO in a greater or less time what was
stretch of farm lands or q wooded height
or at any rate some unused piece OF
property, becomes the scene Of commu-
nifty life and probably portion OF the
city. At the present time there are
number of such enterprises either in
progress or contemplated which would in
dicate there is market for building lots
Mention has already been made in The
Star of estimates received by the owners
of the large piece of ground lying on the
south side of Massachusetts, avenue and
extending to w street. which Is just
west of the Massachusetts, Avenue bridge.
and ends at the circle about the grounds
of the naval observatory. The work
proposed to be done is to bring this ele-
waited and wooded height to the level Of
the surrounding highways. and to do this
many thousand cubic yards OF earth Will
have to be removed. In some places the
ground is between forty and fifty feet
above grade.
Owing to the fact that 1t is bounded
on all sides by streets as 1t extends on
the north to the circular road which Is
provided In the street extension plan
about the grounds Of the observatory, but
which has not yet been opened up. as
well as owing to the comparative shallow
ness of the triangle or square, 1t will
not be necessary to open through the
development of this property. as pre-
pared by -. j. Howell, civil engineer,
show these features, as well as others
of an interesting character. and when
60 ahead the dirt will begin to fly. An
old homestead that was the dwelling of
the owner when the tract OF land was
known as Normanstone Is still standing,
but will give way to the course Of modern
changes.
May Become Villa Sites.
On the opposite side of Massachusetts,
avenue and stretching all the way along
from Rock creek to the borders Of
the property of the Episcopal Cathedral
is a tract of land containing some
hundred and fifty acres. which the own
ers are thinking Of making available
for use as building sites. Owing to the
broken character of the ground. which
Is SO characteristic OF the Rock creek
region. Mr.. Howell. the engineer. who
has made study of the locality. has
to apply in its entirety the system of city
streets would be costly and not satisfac-
tory as a place for homes.
II has been suggested that some modi-
fication Of that plan be applied to this
region, but in order to do that IL would
be necessary to obtain the sanction of
Congress. II Is thought this will be
done. and so in the event the authority
is obtained. winding roads will be opened
through portions of this tract. which Is
now thickly wooded. Even II that is
done IL Is not believed IL will be possible
to arrange for building sites. except those
which have more space than required
merely for the site OF the houses. In
other words. such a subdivision will be
for detached houses with lawns about
them.
Another large piece Of acreage prop
erty that Is being adapted for homes Is
a tract az 10 acres on the west side of
Connecticut avenue and extending north
from Bradley lane to some distance be-
yond or north of the young ladies' school.
The building of houses has begun there
to some extent along the southern boun-
dairy OF the property, but for the most
part gangs OF men are engaged in car
rying into execution the plans prepared
by Mr.. Howell.
Out 14th Street Extended.
Another region Of activity Is the vi
cinity OF 14th street extended and about
the farthest northern extremity OF that
road or rather line Of street cars. Be-
fore one gets that far. however, and a
little to the south of the car barns OF the
company. but on the west side of the
street, twelve acres. comprising what Is
known as the Osborne tract. and recent
ly purchased by Harry wardman. are
being brought down to grade so that 1t
will be possible to build houses there.
Farther on along this street. but on the
opposite side. IL the scene OF the opera
lions of the Lynchburg Investment Cor
poration, which 10 making available for
use a large piece Of property formerly
known as the Patterson tract and ad-
joining on the north Saurs subdivision.
What the steam shovels and the train