Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-27
OLD WASHINGTON

The demolition of the marble-front build
ing on 18th street between. F and G streets
northwest, erected about fifty years ago
by the banking firm of H. D. Cooke &
Co. and occupied by that firm and the
First National Bank until 1873. will make
break I'm the solid front of that square,
though but temporarily. 1t was not al
ways a solid front. for there are many
living who recall when there were but
four houses there with unimproved ground
intervening. One Of these. erected over
hundred years ago, is yet standing. and
has been but little changed by its recent
renovation. This is the building at the
corner Of 18th and F streets, and 1t has
been Intimately associated with the history
of the city for century.
Before much progress had been made in
the erection of the public buildings, and
when the primeval soil formed the street
beds the officers Of the government had
resumed work July l. 1900. A tavern was
in full blast on the corner of 18th and +
streets. Lot 9, square 224. seventy-fve
feet front on 10Th street and sixty feet
Benton Fenwick, and was at once inn
proved. Mr.. Fenwick established tav-
ern. but died before 1902 when the prop
erty was assessed to Fenw.ck's heirs at
5000. Then il became Rhodes Hotel for
a few years. and next was a popular
boarding house. with Mrs. Sutlsr in charge.
In 1911 John p Van Ness then regarded
as the richest man in Washington. hay
ing married Marcia Burns. sole heiress to
the many lots apportioned ner father as
an original proprietor. formed a partner
ship with Thomas Monroe in the banking
business, and established on the corner.
Col. Monroe was equally as we'll known
as his partner. He had beer the superin-
Il sl,Av. H. ffN
postma ster.
The firm Van Ness & Munroe formed
the germ of the Bank of the Metropolis,
which was Incorporated six years later.
Gen. Van Ness was the first president of
the bank. in which were associated Col
y. Ogie Taylor. Col. James Thompson,
John Boyle, all well known department
people: Charles Hill Of Prince George
county, Peter. Lennox, a leading builder
and the Rev o. B. Brown, pastor of the
First Baptist Church, and principal clerk
of the Post Office Department. Gen. Van
Ness remained president till his death in
1916.
1t is related that when the British were
here. ninety-six years ago, and the Treas
ury building opposite was in flames. de-
tachment appeared in. front of the build
ing, the officers supposing IL to be public
property. and were about to apply
match. Capt. James Hogan, who lived a
few doors east. made an appeal to the Of
ficers TO spare the property. as the own
er swas a poor widow. Fhe ohcer re-
marked. "She must be. TO own such prop
erty,'' but withdrew his men. The Of
fees OF the Treasury were located there a
few years after the destruction. but
moved back to the Treasury building
when il was restored.
The bank started in 1917 and remained
there until 1920. wnen il occupied a brick
building erected for banking purposes
few yards north. since replaced BY
marble bank building. The old structure
for many years was occupied by profess
sional men, among them Clark & Guam
trell. and the lower portion was used for