Evening star., 1934-10-21
Background Of Pro-
posed Improvement
ShUAgvaits C0nstyuc-
tion Activities- His
toric Corner Stone
Laying Church
Which SerUed Four
Presidents -Odeon
TAeater and Lyman
Hill.
BY JOHN CLACETT PROCTOR.


sort of ragged In its present condition,
and those who visit this neighborhood
q j undoubtedly ask themselves, when will
building operations commence on the
stately structures planned for the Municipal
Center?"
OF course, everybody knows that it has been
nearly five and a half years since the bill
authorizing the purchase Of the four blocks,
between Pennsylvania avenue and D street
and from Third to Sixth streets was signed
by President Hoover and although all or nearly
all Of the property has been bought and paid
for. yet all the District has for its money is a
hole in the ground.
The writer is interested in this area, par
ticularly from historical standpoint, and that
Is what he intends to write about, but 1t did
strike him that there must be lost motion
somewhere or building operations would have
begun long before this.
Constitution avenue the new Federal build
mgs, including the Supreme Court and other
national projects In Washington, are shaping
up nicely but to date the District has not
struck pick in the ground for its own
buildings.
John Marshall place was one of the first
streets in this city to be built upon, and at
least two buildings still standing are more
than century old. One of these Is what
was known years ago as the Central Masonic
Hall, and the other the First Presbyterian
Church. the corner stone of which was laid
by the Masonic Grand Lodge on April 10,
1927. Its congregation has moved elsewhere,
and sign tells us 1t is now used as store
house by the Police Department. and yet, In
its time. it was one of Washington's most i'm
portant churches, where many DISTINGUISHED
persons worshiped, including four Presidents
jackson, Polk Pierce and Cleveland.
All the buildings the east side Of John
Marshall place have been removed. Some of
these had become landmarks, with slight
historic value. On the northeast corner, at
Pennsylvania avenue, stood for many years
what were known as the Odeon Buildings, and
here was opened the Odeon Theater, Monday,
November 80, 1886
It was not a large play house and would
accommodate only between 800 and 400 per-
sons, its use for this purpose being due to the
burning Of the National Theater on March S,
1845, and the scarcity of available buildings in
Washington at this period for theatrical per-
formances.
A COMPANY, headed by an actor named
Kilmiste. opened the theater, and as
sociated with him were Miss Eliza Kilmiste
Miss Emma Kilmiste, g. F. Brown Mrs,
Mossop, Mr.. Littel, Mr.. Gibbon, George Jordan
Miss Dugard. MI. Knowles, Mr.. MCGEE, Mr. d.
Hayes and others.
The troupe continued in repertoire until
January 4. i847, when Mile. Augusta, Mile.
Dinner and Mons. Frederick, noted dancers,
came to I'LL an engagement. Up to this time
the admission price had been Is and so cents,
but the manager announced the prices would
be increased.
A popular play at this theater was did
You Ever Send Your Wife to Georgetown?"
Georgetown, Of course was the butt of the
farce. Today such q title might well be con-
etrued as compliment.
Here was also played 1.-THE Specter Bride
groom" with Charley Burke, half-brother of
Joe Jefferson Of Rip Van Wrinkle fame, ap.
pearing as Dickory. st. Johns Lodge r. A.
A. M, held its first and early meetings In this
hall, and, prior to its becoming q theater, it
was used for exhibition and other purposes
as is indicated by an old item tn the writer's
ecrapbook, which reads:
''The ivory crucifix, wonderful specimen
Of sculpture, exciting much interest and adj
nniration, was exhibited IN Washington In
January, 1846, at the Odeon Hall, corner Of
Pennsylvania avenue and Four -and-a-han
street. All who viewed IT were deeply I'M
pressed with the sublinity Of the spectacle,
and pronounced it an interesting and sublime
work Of art. It was said to have been executed
-" ntW.ti arftG-trt.s