Evening star., 1943-04-25

central part of the present marble build
ing was completed.
This old building, when erected, was
regarded as a very fine structure, and,
for that date, it probably was. It was
designed by Adolph Cluss, was of pressed
brick with brownstone trimmings, and
cost the Government around $4,000.
After being placed here the ground was
extensively beautified with choice plants
and flowers and with many varieties of
trees and hardy shrubs. Walks were laid
out, low wall was erected around the
front garden and numerous rustic vases
and statues were included in the i'm
provements, as added attractions.
1t occurs to the writer that the ginkgo
trees that once lined the roadway leading
north into Thirteenth street were planted
about 1883 or at least 1t seems to him
that he remembers them that far back.
Indeed, some Of these trees may still be
standing.
The Washington Monument in the
early picture referred to places the date
OF the photograph as somewhere between
1868 and 1878. The earlier date being
the year the Department of Agriculture
building was erected, and the latter the
year the roof was removed from the
Monument by the Government in order
to begin work toward completing the
shaft.
Ih1s early view is interesting to study.
as number of the structures then stand
ing no longer exist.
Familiar Landmarks.
The old lockkeeper's house, erected
about 1885, at the eastern terminus of the
chesapeake & Ohio Canal, though
slightly removed from its original posi-
ton, is still to be seen, almost as it stood
nearly 100 years ago on the edge of the
old canal-minus, of course, the canal.
The observatory on Camp Hill shows
up clearly, as do the Presidents stables
on Seventeenth street, removed some
years ago. BY close examination the
chimneys Of the Van Ness mansion can
be seen peeping out of the trees that
surrounded it, just to the north of the
lockhouse.
Other points familiar to many can be
seen here and there, and will carry the
old resident back over number of years.
1t shows, also, how much vacant ground
there was then in this part of the city.
now occupied by some of the most mag
nlficent buildings in the world
similar view Of early Washington is
peculiarly interesting because it shows
section now being covered in part by
the Department Of Commerce Building.
This view was taken about 1857, when
this section was occupied by some OF,
Washington's most respectable residents
condition which would not apply to
later date. Conspicuous on Fifteenth
street is the home of Ammi B. Young. an
architect in the Treasury Department.
which was occupied at least from 1878 on
by the United States Bureau of Statistics.
This building, together with others on
Fifteenth street. was removed for the
erection of the Department of Commerce
Building.
In Lincoln's Day.
During the Civil War, the view from
the southern windows of the White House
was quite different to the eyes of Mr..
Lincoln than the view that presents itself
to President Roosevelt today. And yet,
whether the scenery is more beautiful
now than it was from 1861 to 1865 de-
pends upon the trend Of ones mind, for
many people rather prefer rural and
rustic landscape, such as Lincoln saw, to
the more improved and up-to-date land
scaping and architecture one sees today