Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-14

street, in the same block with The Evening Star
Building
Judging by the fact that the old Tiber usually
came up to within block of the Avenue and
sometimes even crossed it down toward Tenth
street, one might assume that this part of the
Avenue was low and marshy land, and yet we
find that one of the first houses built along
that thoroughfare was erected by William
Thompson of Georgetown somewhere between
the Raleigh and The Star Office. Jacob Hines,
brother to Christian Hines then Thomp-
sons apprentice at the thinning trade.
OF the early building operations Pennsyl-
Vania avenue Christian Hines in his Early
Recollections of Washington City" says:
among the first houses on the Avenue as
well as can recollect, were the following
three story brick house between Eleventh and
Twelfth streets, built by William Thompson,
esq, of Georgetown. Here he set up timer
shop before the house was finished. My brother
Jacob, who was then apprentice, carried on
the business for him. This house was some
years since occupied by Pishey Thompson as
book store. The next house built, think was
that Of Mr.. Stettineus the Washington
Bank; then one by Mr. George Thompson of
Georgetown, followed by one by Mr.. Sparrow,
and MeSsrS. John Kennedy, Mr.. NORM and Mr..
Sessford, in the order of their names; then
Mr.. N. Queens tavern (sign of the Indian
Queen) This was followed by Davidsons
Hotel Bates auction store, Travers bakehouse,
between Eleventh and Twelfth streets, and then
u GWO-SIOIy uOuSe ny MI WOOOWdTQ.
Mr.. Hines also tells us: zone of the first
brickyards that I remember was carried on by
two brothers named VoSs, between the Avenue
and and Eleventh and Twelfth streets. The
first two lumber yards that can call to mind
were those of Capt. Byas, near the bank of
the Tiber (now the canaD, and Mr.. NORM on
the Avenue near Mr.. Lepreux's grocery store.
Here the delegations of the different tribes of
Indians would put up when they came to
Washington which almost every session
of Congress for several years"
Thus it can be seen that this area got an
early start in business way, and in few
years it became quite center for merchants,
most likely because of the wharf facilities at
the head of the bay in the Tiber, where now
stands the new Department of Commerce
Building This is quite evident from the
number of firms advertising their wares even
while the city was in its infancy and by 1843
we find in the City Directory the names Of
number of those engaged in business who be-
heved that prosperity came through adver-
Using.
IN the vicinity of the Raleigh in that year
= we find this advertisement:
STATIONERY WAREHOUSE.
VIM F. BAYLY,
PENNSYLVANIA Avenue
Between 18th and 18th Streets, Washington,
Agent for
HERRICK & BLUNT,
Wholesale Importers and Dealers in English,
French, and American Staple and Fancy
Stationery in all its varieties.
The trade supplied on the best terms.
and at the lowest prices"
Close by was william Fischer's Fancy and
Staple Stationery" store on Pennsylvania
avenue between Eleventh and Twelfth streets
Muller 81 Moore were in the same square, with
large assortment of paperhangings. of which
they say:
Have constantly on hand a large
assortment of Paperhangings suitable for
parlors, halls and chambers with Dor
behring's of every description and Of great
beauty, to match; also, a magnificent
supply of superior firescreenS which they
also make to At chimney places
Enoch Ridgway. the slater, was up the street
block at Eleventh and streets, and door
or two west of Eleventh was Joseph H. Boyd
the upholsterer and paperhanger.
Robert P. Anderson, bookbinder and paper
ruler, was at the corner Of Pennsylvania avenue
and Eleventh street On Pennsylvania avenue
at Tenth street on the site where now stands
the Franklin National Bank in the corner
building Of what was formerly known as Vernon
Row was ]. c. McGuire's bindery, where he
agreed to execute his work "at prices as low
as can be done in New York or Boston," Be-
tween Tenth and Eleventh streets, few doors
east of Harvey'S old stand p. Kinchy kept q
confectionery store, where he always had on
hand confectionery, preserves, cordials and
cakes of every description. Ice cream, jellies
and Charlotte Russo prepared at the shortest
notice" This was in 1s43 so it is evident that
ice cream had made its appearance IN Wash
3ngton many years before.
In this same square r. Patten & Son are an
nounced as the Manufacturers Of Mathemati-
cal, Optical and Philosophical Instruments"
and they also carried in stock "a general
Assortment of Surveying and Engineering
instruments of the most improved construc-
ton" Samuel Lewis was also among this group