Evening star., 1943-07-25
Site of Governments New Garage Has Coorfu History

The recent announcements that the
Government would take over the Capt.
tai Garage, at 1920 New York avenue
NV, is not only interesting news in it
self but it brings to mind the history
of the old site as it appeared many years
ago when it was used for the storing OF
coal by the coal firm of Dickson g. King,
and later when at this place was sum-
mer garden, conducted by William H.
Thorne, whom the city directory OF 1880
lists as an actor, though it is said he
had formerly been the proprietor OF
Niblo's Garden, New York. One OF the
big attractions of that period, just as
It is today, was the United States Marine
Band, and this body of fine musicians,
under the leadership of Prof Louis
Schneider, was employed for while to
furnish the music.
Swimming Pool Site
subsequently, Seymour A. Curtis con-
Quoted on the premises the Washington
Swimming School and Roller Skating
Rink. and in 1884 Peter Grogan was en-
gagged here in the furniture and carpet
business, one of his clerks being his
nephew. Peter j. Nee, who soon went
into business for himself, and at the time
of his death some years ago was one OF
Washingtons foremost Seventh street
merchants. The Julius LanSburgh Fur
niture & Corpet Co. followed Grogan,
and this firm was occupying the build
ing when it was destroyed by fire on
December %, 1896.
The front portion of the rink was
only a one-story building, l09 by 152
feet, but prior to the fire flve-story
addition had been erected to the rear.
About this time the building was con-
trolled by syndicate composed OF
Campbell Darlington, Harry Crawford
of New York, Washington Danenhower,
John S. Miller, George j. johnson and
others.
This reminds the writer of one of the
early fairs and dances held by the WASH
ington Light Infantry Corps, one in par
tcular being held in the rink in 1883.
1t had much to do toward raising the
funds with which this organization
erected its armory at Fifteenth and E
streets, in which was housed, from the
first, Albaughs Grand Opera House.
After the rink was destroyed, Frank
lin Webster Smith of Boston headed
company which erected on the site
curious looking building known as the
Hall of the Ancients, for the display of
Roman, Grecian and Assyrian works of
art. Although Mr.. Smith had the ad
vantage of so years of European study
in art and architecture, and unbounded
enthusiasm and zeal. together with the
support of such men as S. w. Woodward
and B. H. Warner, yet the Hall of the
Ancients never proved profitable, and,
as stated, the Capital Garage replaced it
some years ago.
Poe Was Neighbor
The block in which the rink stood is
known as square 252 1t was early built
upon, and at an early date we find To-
Gated east of the rink, nearer to Thir-
teenth street. a house where Edgar AL
Ian Poe is said to have once resided for
p brief time. But the want of proof
along this line at least lends a doubt
to the statement. However, it would be
quite interesting if sometime it were
discovered that the Bard of Baltimore
did write The Raven or The Bells
in Washington, when stopping on H
street.
During the Civil War period the Poe
house was occupied as ladies semi
nary by Mrs. Cleophite P Burr who had
previously taught school of her own,
as early as l846, at the northwest corner
Of Ninth and E streets NV. Nine.
Burr as she was called, taught the
daughters of some of the first families
of Washington and about two years ago
The writer met one of her pupils, when
he called at the Louise Home to visit
Miss Rosa Mordecai. In referring to
this early teacher, Miss Mordecai be-
came very fervent and said: Il must not