Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-24


of tho last century, was discarding its
county road appearance as the march
Of Improvement continued northward
BY 1880 there were a number Of frame
and brick houses north Of the ridge
(F street). and mostly of two stories
Many frame houses built for residen-
tial purposes were of the salt-box
style. intended eventually for back
buildings, and but only few of such
were on 7th street, for the settlers
there had an eye to business.
Pennsylvania avenue and Market
space had been the principal business
mart in the drygoods and grocery lines.
but business was then extending up
7th street. The Patriotic Bank and
Franklin Fire Company had removed
from west of 9th street to about the
corner of 7th and D streets, and the
Capitol Hill. removed from the Ma
tional Hotel to its present site, at
Louisiana avenue and c street, facing
7th street.
The firm of Ailer & Tyson, from near
Pennsylvania avenue and Az street.
they conducted a grocery and general
store, In which 1t was stated no order
could remain untitled. John F. Callan
removed his drug store from " street
and Pennsylvania avenue to the north
west corner of 7th and E streets, where
he conducted the business, and. inaddi-
ton to dealing in drugs, paints, oil
and glass, he traded in seeds, plants
and agricultural implements. He mad
on the 7th street front several green
houses, and in the upper part of his
building were a number OF offices.
Many Family Dwellings Erected.
1t was a long time, however, before
any considerable portion of 7th street
became a strictly business street. and,
in fact. to this day family dwellings
are not uncommon. 1t is not surpris-
ing that there were SO many places
where liquor was sold, and, In fact,
merchandise in general.
In either direction from 7th street
dwellings were being erected mostly for
residential purposes, for there was good
ly number employed in the post and patent
Offices, fianking that street, and a number
of manufacturing establishments were on
the cross streets. Among such was
Thomas Bates, soap and candle manufac-
turer, who moved from c street between
9Th and 10th, to the north side OF g
street, east OF 7th, where Bates Sons
and j. e. Bates & Bros. continued so
to the name Of Soap alley, attaching
to the center Of the square.
Agency for Streets Upbuilding.
The Improvement Of the street as a
business thoroughfare was not only ow-
ing to the country trade, but to the per-
manent increase in population. especially
that portion settled conveniently on either
side The number Of taverns. grocery
stores and shops seemed out Of proper
ton, and this is explainable in part by
the fact that at taverns three bedrooms
for guests were required and to meet
the demand for the accommodation Of
man and beast" it was not difficult to
find stabling for the latter.
The regulations under the license law
for the sale Of goods. wares and .mer-
chandise, and especially liquor. were not
stringent, nor was the amount required
high, nevertheless there were some speak
easiea" When the capital invested was
not over $500 and liquor was not in
cluded. IS was the license fee. and there
were a number Of such licenses issued to
women and their shops were popular In
some localities. For the sale OF liquor OF
not less than q pint with other com
modities, the annual license ranged from
$50 upward.
Rating Of Tavern License.
Tho taveY,, license was rated according