Evening star., 1918-04-07
Unique and Valuable Reference Book the Public Library

CroRgon. Here, on a site on 18th street,
in 1921, this President built hne brick
residence, one Of the nrst pebble dash
houses in the District, which was stiiS
standing up to a few years ago on 10
original site.
All the sections-Frogtown. Capites
Hill, Florida avenue and others-hav-
ing to do with the arrangement OF .tne
city are treated in q similar patnstAk-
ing way. Old property. famous land:
marks, some Of which have deteriorated
to a state Of ruin. and wei known OLD
residents, who were responsible for
much Of the improvement that LED 70
the subsequent development OF the city,
researcher who desires to know every
After this general exposition Of the
different sections Of the city. the main
thoroughfares are introduced. Hemi-
nisoences Of old 7th street. once the
main artery Of business in tho city
cover about three long articles. Such
interesting facts as this, that John
Leech, the keeper of an old cooper shop
the last to wear knee breeches and the
queue. give an atmosphere to the writ
ing that makes It very fascinating
reading.
The cemeteries of Washington. in-
yards, form the subject Of another sub.
title. Early businesses. every digres.
sion pertinent to the subject at hand
came into Mr.. Croggon's mind as he
chronfcled the growth of the streets
and sections Of this city in it's early
days.
And when he had finished with the
very early days. he transfers his sub
Washington began to occupy the lime
light and attract the gaze of all Ameg-
lea. In the SOS the formation OF tho
original National Guard occurred In tho
city. and Mr.: Croggon tells. with much
interesting detail. how the frst mem-
bers were mustered in.
The story of Washington at that time.
wherein the changes in the city itself
began to keep pace with the progress
of the people, forms the beginning OF .
history Of growth which has since been
Then the march OF prog
ress showed its mark especially upon
the residential sections. The circles
and the squares began to develop and
Mr.. Croggon sets down in his inimitable-
fashion the story Of the conversion OF
the farming lands OF the outlying SEQ.
tions into beautiful parks and centero
of cosmopolitan life.
~
Many pages are occupied with clip
pings that concern the old fre engine
houses and the old hremen who looked
after this phase Of the welfare Of the
city during this period. An interesting
article is Is, devoted devoted to the story Of ,t1s tas
and 26th streets which was bought bys
George Washington and beQueathed to
his wife's grandson. Col. George Wash-
ington Parke Custis. II was eaten up
by taxes and finally In 1880 went into
the possession OF the late DR.. Willian
Gunton.
The evolution Of business In the cityS
with many facts that concern tbs pae6
sags Of prominent business sites from
family to family. forms Q treatise eAs
The early economic life. Tho growtk
of government bureaus. facts concerns
ing the old department quarters anl
what they were like comprise . valu-
able history OF = phase Of capital life
which II typical Of it In the minds o9
Ill Americans.
But In glancing through the book assa
Judging OF its subject matter ~ eAo
more general titles Of the articles. ene
misses much Of the valuable mafoei4E
n the text which u pointed out apee
siAlly in the index. Hero 500 entries IS
All attsntion % facts tha4 are sxosae
;leaa2lT latagV0e1AA 14s''