Evening star., 1941-08-31
BY John Ciagen Proctor

II lIIc 4NoiAy w
find a site in the so-called Northwest
rectangle, in the lower part of WASH
ington once known as Foggy Bottom,
It should certainly not find 1t hard to
do So for there is still much property
in this area that one would think could
be bought quite reasonably judging by
the structures now standing in that
part of the city, and another attractive
public building there would positively
add much to a neighborhood that most
any one will agree could stand improv-
ing.
Indeed, as one wanders around WASH
tngton, the thought of the incongruity
of scenery must often come to him when
he sees the many dilapidated dwellings
there are within a mile of the White
House and the other fine downtown
buildings in the Nationals Capital, and
other sections besides the Northwest
triangle and vicinity which, in spots at
least, might well stand improving also.
But certain parts of Foggy Bottom do
furnish typical illustration of what
might well be done here to further beau
tify the city.
Just when the name, "Foggy Bottom"
was wished on this locality, no one
probably knows though it was likely
century or more ago. However, this
section had an earlier name, one given
to it before the city of Washington was
even contemplated. This was Ham
burg" a townsite laid out by Jacob Funk
and recorded at Upper Marlboro, Md,
October %, It'll, and because it was laid
out by Mr.. Funk, it also became known
as "Funkstown.''
Dates Back to 1864.
Funk purchased this piece of land,
then consisting of about 100 acres, in
1765, from Thomas Johns. It's further
history dates back to 1864, when, as
part of Widows Mite, 1t was acquired by
John Langworth. Apparently, when it
was first laid off into 287 lots, Funk did
not Immediately record his plat, as evi-
denced by receipt given by him three
years before this was done.
Incidentally this receipt, in describing
the property, contained the interesting
information that it lay between Rock
Grick and Coos Grick," the latter name
being the designation by which Tiber
Greek was also known, and by which it
was facetiously mentioned by Tom
Moore, the Irish poet, when he visited
this city in 1904, as Goose Creek.
A map of Hamburg, in the Library
of Congress, shows five streets and an
alley, running east and west from the
river northward. They were: Water
street, Front alley, Second street, Third
or Raven street, Fourth street and Fifth
street. The streets running north and
south would remind one of Philadelphia,
for we find such names as High street,
Arch street, Market street, Persemon
CPersimmon) street, Walnut, Locust,
Mulberry and Rock streets. Front alley
was 33 feet in width, and the streets
varied in width from 60 to 80 feet
When the present site for the Federal
city had been determined upon, just
what to do with Hamburg was prob
lem. President Washington early real
lied the Importance OF obliterating this
town entirely in order that it might not
interfere with the plans being drawn by
Maj. LEnfant Fortunately, although
many of the lots had been sold, and
hence the title was vested in many diff
ferent persons, yet few, if any structures
had been erected in the subdivision.
Washington Letters.
Gen. Washington's concern in the
townsite of Hamburg is conveyed in
several letters written upon the subject.
On February II, 1891. he addressed
letter from Philadelphia to William
Deakins, tr., and Benjamin Stoddert, in
which he said:
THE Maryland Assembly has author
lied a certain number of acres to be
taken without the consent of the owners
or making compensation as therein pro-
vided. This will be principally useful as
10 the old lots of Hamburg. However,
by purchasing up lots, or as many as we
can, We shall be free to take, on the
terms of the act, SO much of any other
lands in our way, and consequently those
whose proprietors refuse all arrange
ment. I will, therefore, beg the favor
of you to take measures Immediately for
buying up all the lots you can in Ham,
burg, on the lowest terms you can, not
exceeding the rate of 25 pounds the acre.
Il leave it to yourselves to dispatch
private agent for this purpose, to treat
with the proprietors wherever to be
founder to do 1t by any other means,
which, in your discretion, shall appear
not too expensive, and which may not
excite suspicion of their being on behalf
Of the public. am, etc.
Mentioned in Will.
In September, 1898, the President pur-
chased four lots in another subdivision
existing at that time, known as CAROLS
burg, and later, in order to show no
partiality as to any particular section of
the city, purchased square No. 81, said to
be in Hamburg, which he refers to in his
will saying:
"Actuated by the principle already
mentioned, I give and bequeath to
George Washington Parke Gusts, the
grandson of my wife and my ward and
to his heirs, the tract I hold on -Four
Mile Run in the vicinity of Alexandria
containing 1900 acres, more or less. and
my entire square, No. 81, in the City Of
Washington"
This square is between Twenty-fifth