Evening star., 1941-07-13
Famous Old Market Stood on Archives Building Site
By John CIaeeH Proctor.

BY John CIa9eH Proctor.
The thousands of newcomers to Wash
tngton in the last few years are, no doubt
by this time, quite familiar with the
National Archives Building, which faces
both Pennsylvania and Constitution
avenues and stands between Seventh
and Ninth streets. But, it is safe to say,
that those who have made their home
In the Capital during the last decade
only have little or no knowledge of the
old Center Market that previously oc-
cupied this site, though in its day 1t
was one of the most frequented places
In this city.
Indeed, when this market building was
removed in the early part of 1881 there
were many Washingtonians who felt as
though they had lost a dear friend, for
many families had visited it several times
a week for over so years. to lay in their
food supplies, during which time they
became closely acquainted with the
butchers and truckers and others who
had stands in this great storehouse, so
necessary in great city like the Nations
Capital.
Gen. Washington, ever thoughtful of
the future, was responsible for setting
aside this site for public market, which
he referred to as parcel No. 7, in his
authorization which he published two
days before his term expired as Presl-
dent and which was as follows:
THE public appropriation beginning at
the intersection of the north side OF
Canal street and the east side OF Ninth
street west, thence north to the south
side of the Avenue drawn in front OF
square numbered 1872, thence north
easterly with south side of said Avenue
until it intersects the south side OF
PENNSYLVANIA avenue, thence with the
south side of said Avenue until 1t inter-
sects the west side of Seventh street
west. thence with the west side OF said
street until it intersects Canal street,
thence west with north side Of said Canal
street to the beginning"
Opening Day.
And here this celebrated market had
its opening on Tuesday, December Is,
1901, and soon took on the name,
Marsh" Market, which later was cor
rupted into Mash" Market.
The original building or buildings,
which were apparently mere sheds, stood
on piers, and extended from Eighth to
Seventh street, and 1t is claimed that
William Rudderforth. butcher, who
resided at Greenleaf Point, was the first
occupant, the second being Ezra Little,
possibly the father of John Little, also
a butcher, who, about 1886, purchased of
Christian and Matthew Hines what Is
still recalled by many an early resident
as Littles Woods, tract of land OF 81
acres lying to the north of Washington
Heights and extending from Champlain
avenue to Rock Creek. The pioneer pro-
duce dealers were Cruit, Cunningham,
Oyster, Otterback, Steper and Betzal.
BY 1921, an addition was made to the
market by the erection of building to
the east, facing Seventh street, which,
when connected with the original struc-
ture, formed an L. The next addition
made was the erection of frame shed
on Eighth street, which was used for
the first market for many years.
Following this came the erection of
what later became known as the New
Market" 1t stood between Eighth and
Ninth streets, and was erected between
1928 and 1880, George Crandell, a car
penter, being the builder. This struc-
ture remained unoccupied for some
years, during which time the cattle which
then roamed at large, found 1t to be a
good sheltering place.
Took Stall.
According to an early account, George
Heating, butcher, was the first to take
a stall in this new building, being soon
followed by other enterprising men. Ad-
ditional sheds were afterward added, on
the Seventh and Ninth street sides, and
the fish market was established along
the canal. From the beginning the en-
tire space occupied by the market reser-
vation was huge swamp, and before the
erection of the New Market referred to-
the site on which it was erected was
favorite cunning resort for the boys
who would Immediately sell their game in
the market close by. The work of filling
up this land was done by William Stew
art. At Seventh street and Constitution
avenue, prior to the building OF the
canal, the water in the creek often rose
30 high that the dealers were compelled
to move to other nearby locations.
Most of the dealers, we are told, dur
ing the early 1800's, then lived on Green
leaf Point, known to many an timer
as the Arsenal, and from here they
reached the market by ferry boat, by
way of the James Creek and Tiber Creek.
At this point, when the water in the
creek was high, the north wharf of the
ferry was at Seventh and D streets.
However, according to Christian Hines,
other means of transportation were en-
ployed by the merchants of other sec
tions in bringing their produce to market.
1T was" says this historian, customary
for the country people to bring in their
produce, such as corn, corn meal, pota-
toes, apples, ETC., on horseback, and in
return, take back few groceries, not
forgetting jug of whisky. The tobacco,
Of which there was large quantity
shipped (more particularly from George
town to Europe, was brought to market
in way that may appear strange to
many who have never seen 1t. 1t was
done in this manner: The hogshead
containing the tobacco had a hole bored
in each head, and an axle run through
from one end to the other. To this axle
q shaft was attached something like the