Evening star., 1944-09-17

JOftISON OJ LHS pOLIce JUICE UL
2O23 Georgia aDenue. One of
the first homes in this locality.
OF the war the buildings were trans
ferred to Gen. O. O. Howard. who con-
verted them into what became the
nucleus Of the present Freedman's
Hospital.
Beyer's Park is now the baseball
grounds, but before it was transformed
into q ball park 1t was covered with
many large oak trees which sheltered a
bar, dance pavilion and an assortment
Of attractions such as 60 with place
of this kind.
Reedy Branch
Another very interesting thing in this
neighborhood was Reedy Branch, which
crossed Florida avenue at Eighth street
on its way to join the Tiber. As
the writer first knew it, back in 1871,
it was considerable of a stream at this
point, and had to be crossed by small
foot bridge. Teams were able to ford
it under ordinary conditions.
Shortly after the date mentioned 1t
was inclosed in large sewer, which
seemed to take in all Of Eighth street.
At this time there was not sufficient
sewerage to carry of the water running
down from the hills to the north, and
the Board of Public Works attempted
to remedy this by building a sewer
around Florida avenue to empty in the
Eastern Branch.
The work was done, but so badly in
spots that it was found necessary to do
some Of it all over again. But finally
the great boundary intercepting sewer
was completed. 1t runs from about
Eighth street NV. to the Eastern
Branch, and which, at the time of its
construction, was in places the largest
cylindrical sewer in the world Few OF
who annually attend the ball games
have any idea of the large sewer over
which they are walking at Florida ave-
nue. and Seventh street.
In The Evening Star of August 4,
1883, is the following interesting item
regarding this enormous sewer: This
size of sewer (20-foot diameter) is to
be extended 5000 feet to Gales Valley.
between First and Second streets, where
there is a large natural water course
coming in from the county and always
running. 1t is expected that section
No. will soon be given out by the
Commissioners At Gales Valley will
4l1A A-sr frS, xV,tn
run to First street west 2,700 lineal feet;
then comes the 7.6-foot diameter, which
will end at Eighth street west, where
there is also another water course.
Between Eighth and Fourteenth
streets there is a natural formation,
known by engineers as watershed the
surface drainage parting about midway
between the points named and running
both ways, east and west. At Four
teenth street is to commence the west
ern section of this sewer, which will be
discharged into Rock Greek above the
P street Bridge, in the same manner as
Slash Run sewer discharges itself below
the p Street Bridge.
The sewer, when completed, will fin-
lSh up the grand plan devised by Capt.
Hoxie, and will render this one of the
best drained cities in the world.
The Boundary street intercepting
sewer is constantly attracting the at
tention of engineers throughout the
country, and is regarded as one of the
sights in Washington to visit, as it is
the largest cylindrical sewer in the
world. Prof. Desmedt, who has Travelled
much and examined all famous sewers.
states that he never saw a work of this
kind which can approach it in size,
strength or durability Not even the
famous sewers under the city Of Rome,
which have been in use for centuries,
can compare with this. 1t will probably
require two more appropriations to
complete the work"