Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-07

Steady had been the growth OF i'm
provement nofthward on 7th street up
to 1910, but about this period it be-
gan to grow moro rapidly. This
growth was accelerated by the erec-
ton Of buildings necessary for the &C
commodations of the departmental
clerical force. The work OF fire
bug" in 1888 had destroyed the Treas
ury Department, and the old Blogett
Hotel, in which were located the post
office. patent and other offices, was de-
stroyed in 1896. However. appropria-
lions had been made for the rebuilding
Of the Office buildings.
The market trade was growing. and
so was the general trade in the vicin-
ity of the market; and it was spreading
ing to 7th street. By this time 7th
street might be said to have been well
built up south of G street II small
shops and a woodward or two were
side seemed to be favored for bust
ness and residential purposes. In the
Immediate vicinity Of the old post Of
flee there were some fine residences on
the east side of the street used exclu-
sivly for homes.
Though the Washington Fire Com
pany's, quarters on 7th street north of
E had been burned out In 1886. the Per-
severance Fire Company was established
the same year at the corner Of 9Th street.
Pennsylvania and Louisiana avenues.
The growth Of the city called for the
esta blishment and location OF q company
northward, and in 1910 the Northern
Liberties Fire Company was organized
and for some years-1s4o to 1s57-its
house and apparatus was not far from
the line of 7th street. Immediately in
front Of the present Public Library
building.
Public Institutions Crowded Out.
The improvements were now pressing
on the Washington Asylum (alms and
work house grounds). on the east side
Of 7th between M and N streets, where
it was located in 1904, and the question
Of its removal and establishment else
where as being discussed. In 1916 a
site was selected on 18th street south
east extending to the Eastern branch.
Early in that decade Frances Ward was
conducting a blacksmith shop near the
southeast corner Of M and 7th streets,
having his residence on the corner. in
which his widow later conducted a gro
Gerry. South Of this Henry Horstkamp
had a tavern, and subsequently was in
the grocery business, and at the corner
of o street Michael Hoover, a butcher.
resided. Northeast of the poorhouse
grounds on street, near 9Th street.
which were extensive grounds, and be-
fore the close of the decade far out on
7th street some improvements were ap-
pearing.
The building of Odd Fellows Hall,
which was dedicated in May. 1876, Gre
ated the local mecca of that fraternity.
whose meeting place was before the
city hall. For many years 1t was also
one of the leading places of amusement
-panoramas. balls. theatricals. negro
ax~ hat hn OF Ott
Here much of our local talent was de-
yeloped, the Washington Harmonians
and Euterpeans giving their initial
concerts here. Billy Emerson made his
first appearance with the Kunkel
troupe at that place.
New Names Appearing.
Downtown new names were attaching
to residences. boarding houses and
places of business. The McKelden &
Patterson bakery had moved from
street in the first ward to the east side
of 7th street, below E. where 1t was
continued under the management of
John c. McKelden for many years.
Samuel Magee had located his bakery
on 7th street, above G. Francis Mat
tingly established a hat and cap manu-
factory on 18th street and was located
there for nearly half century. Will
liam H. Narrower had come from Alex
andria and established stove and tin
store on the east side Of 7th street, near
D street, which, like Mr.. Mattingly's.
establishment, was in commission until
late years The dry goods trade, also,
was beginning to show itself on 7th
street, E. F. Miller having such a store
between G and H streets
South of the Bacon store at Penn.
sylvania avenue the Steamboat Hotel
had changed hands. John West of the
coffee house at 9Th street and the Ave-