Evening star., 1933-10-08

lot toward Third street. John Simon, merchant
tailor, had . house, and H. v. Hill had . lease
on ground near Mr.. Morfit's house, on which
he had a cabinet shop
In 1885, lots l and g. fronting ON the
Avenue, and part Of Is, lot II. the east end Of
the square were purchased by the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad Co. As the site for the WASH
ington branch depot, and in little time this
became a most interesting point for the public.
"On the arrival and departure of trains, for
some months crowds were drawn by curiosity,
and it was not rare that men and women
walked from distant parts of the District just
to see the steam cars
The trains, but two per day, had been run
ming few months before this. since July, land
ing and taking passengers at temporary
platform and shed, q short distance north, but
the property, having been secured, soon was
converted to its new uses.
The house that stood near the corner Of
Second street, built by Mr.. Henry NJ. Morfit,
then, 1885, Judge Advocate of the Navy, mar
row, three-storied brick structure which had
been used as . boarding house by John Mount
was made the ticket Office. This was sur
mounted by q small belfry, from which the
ringing of q small bell 10 minutes before the
departure of trains gave notice of the fact
to the public.
THE tailor shop of John Simon and the
sheds erected for the cars"
In 1851 the railroad abandoned this prop
erty for the one at New Jersey avenue and
street which will be recalled by many since it
o3ly ceased to be one of the principal railroad
depots here in 1907 when the Union Station
took over its functions.
HE original landmark at Second street and
Pennsylvania avenue gave way to the build
ings just removed in 1869. according to the
following announcement in The Star of Octo-
Der 4, Of that year:
AN Old Landmark Gives Way
To Fine Improvement In 1862"
The erection Of q new building on the north
side OF Pennsylvania avenue near Tiher Creek
between Second and Third streets, obliterates
an old landmark.
Mr. M. G. Emery Is building at that point
four-story pressed brick front, with three-story
back building, fronting 19 feet on Pennsylvania
avenue, by depth of 40 feet to be finished
with stone caps and sills throughout. The first
story will be fitted up as capacious store and
the entire building will have all the modern
conveniences The cost of the building will be
about $1,000.
ITO make room for this improvement, Mr.,
Emery is having torn down building with the
history Of which many Of our citizens are un-
familiar.
1T was here that the depot of the Washing
ton branch Of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
was first established. The building now being
demolished was erected over 40 years ago. and
afterward fell into the possession of John Simon,
a well-known tailor, from whom it was pur-
chased by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Co.
for $4,000, and converted into a depot"
The old Supreme Court Building-so called
because the Supreme Court of the United
States met there following the burning Of the
Capitol in 1814-was almost down a few days
ago. No doubt the site is now pretty well
cleared, and soon an addition to the Library
of Congress will occupy this block.
This building numbered 204 and 206 street
southeast, might just as well be described as
being on Pennsylvania avenue. for near the
corner of Second street. the avenue and B street
run together. Apparently, when it was erected
in 1s10 by Elias Boudnot Caldwell then serv-
ing as clerk Of the Supreme Court, there was
centrally located, circular-arched doorway in the
middle Of the: front Of the struture, which re-