Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-11-26
Story of old Washington
IHeater and Carnsi S
City assembly Rooms.
Toy Shop Which Was
Viated by Lincoln and
His FaOorite Companion,
Little "Iad"
BY John CL4CETT PROCTOR.


not be forgotten, for even many
years hence local historians, yet unborn, will
tell of this famous eating and drinking house,
where even Presidents dined, when it was the
most notable place of its kind at the Capital
of the Nation.
Indeed so popular was this place fox upward
of half century that 1t is safe to say there
are few men in washington now over 80 years
of age, and natives of the District, who have
not paid one more and in some cases even
numerous visits to this establishment that
probably did more in its time toward depicting
the supply of bvalves than any other in the
city.
On the first floor its oyster counter was
always we'll patronized, and its barkeepers were
kept busy serving drinks to the public, while
at night the popping of corks in the main
dining room would remind one OF immature
Fourth of July celebration.
Harvey's was not always on this corner, Tor
Thomas NJ Harvey, the first of the firm to en-
gage in the oyster business here-according to
the city directory-did prior to the civil
War. the exact year being placed by Croggon
at 1856. However, in 1860, George w. Harvey
had not joined his brother in business. his
occupation then being given as clerk. and his
address, where he boarded, BIT G street.
Thomas M Harveys first place of business
was near the southeast corner of Eleventh and
$1,000
smith shop of Capt. c. Buckingham, the num-
Der being ADJ The latters business address
was given, in 1850, as the south side OF
street between Tenth and Eleventh streets Mr.
Harvey remained here until about 1868, when
we find him at 267 Pennsylvania avenue, with
the firm name of Thomas M. Harvey & Co.
Under the old numbering, this was at the
southeast corner Of Eleventh street and PENN
sylvania avenue, the present site.
In 1866 we find in the city directory the ad-
vertisement of Harvey & Co., at 269 Pennsyl-
vania avenue, which was between Ninth ana
Tenth streets. But this firm seems to have
included two George W. Harveys, one residing
at 349 Tenth street west, and the other at 587
H street north (but this may be an error, and
Martin Harvey, living at 40 Seventh street
west.
DY 1868 this firm included in the partnership
y Thomas Holden, who had previously been
engaged in the grocery business at Third and
G street northwest, and by 1870 Harvey N.
Holden had moved to the location at Eleventh
street and Pennsylvania avenue
It seems likely that Thomas M. Harvey died
about this time, and that the firm Of Harvey
and Holden took over his interest at the Penn
cylvania avenue and Eleventh street stand, for
few years later We find Sarah E. Harvey re-
erred to as the widow of Thomas M. It was
also about this time that the ton-front build
ing, now being RACED, was erected, then as
sessed in the name of T.. M Harvey, at the
rate Of 81 foot. inclusive of improvements
This was about the largest Of the original lots
in the square, and included about one-haf Of
the frontage on Pennsylvania avenue or lis
feet inches; and on Eleventh street, 131 feet
inches In 1874 property in this block was
assessed in the names of Waggaman & Pilling.
T. M. Harvey, John w. Thompson, Louis H.
Schneider, and John Hitz and Others trustees;
George K. Baier, Mary A. Harvey and others.
George W. Harvey, for many years identified
with the business conducted at the corner OF
Eleventh street and Pennsylvania avenue, died
in Washington May S. 1909. and the following
day The Star said:
George w. Harvey, the originator of steamed
oysters, and one of the founders Of Harvey's',
one OF the most famous oyster houses in the
United States, died at his home, 923 Massa-
chusetts avenue northwest early yesterday
morning He was 50 years Of age.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow
afternoon at st. Patrick's Church. Interment
will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Final ar
rangements for the services viii be made today.
"Mr Harvey had been Ill for several months.
During the last two weeks he had been con-
fined to his bed, and owing to his advanced
age it was known his chances OF recovery
were slight. He Is survived by his wife, who
was his third: one son, George s. Harvey Of
Little Rock Ark, and four daughters. Mrs. j.
Fendau CAIN Mrs. L. A. Fisher and Mrs. w.
8. Mccarthy, all living here, and Mrs Charles
r. Stiles of Orange, N. ].
81 IARvEY'S was, and h, one Of the sights
] Of Washington. It Is the mecca for all
those who desire good things in the form Of
yea food. It is the birthplace Of steamed
oysters During the Civil War Union soldiers
thronged the Capital. Many Of them objected
10 the oyster in the uncooked state. They