Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-01-09

r1OIIl CuIlc IL, 4OOu, W1iCAA SAoS1ce
ant Postmaster General Abraham
Bradley, jr., moved the Post Once
Department to Washington from
Philadelphia and into the three
story house of DR.. John Croker, at
the northwest corner of Ninth and
E streets NV, it was located at
several other places before 1t was
finally moved to the old Blodgett
Hotel in 1910.
AS early as July 4, 1893. the laying
of the cornerstone of Blodgetts Hotel
took place. This building, begun by
Samuel Blodgett, was located on the
north side of E street between Sew
enth and Eighth, and the project
was a lottery scheme. The real or
official name Of the hosiery was the
Union Public Hotel, though 1t was
sometimes called the Great Hotel"
to distinguish it from the Little
Hotel, which, as early as 1795, stood
on the north side Of F street near
the corner of Fifteenth.
At the laying Of the cornerstone
of the Blodgett Hotel, according to
an account printed at the time, "One
thousand five hundred people were
present and walked from thence in
procession, preceded by a lodge of
Free Masons, to a dinner. the prin-
cipal dish of which consisted of an
OK, roasted whole. Toasts were drunk
ON the occasion, and the day was
concluded with much harmony"
An early description of the build
ing tells us that it was constructed
of brick, had a frontage of 120 feet,
was so feet wide and two stories
high, with a basement and attic
story. 1t was designed by James
Hoban, architect Of the White House
First Theater
In 1900, Wignell & Reinagle. who
conducted the New Theater in Phila-
delphia. fitted up a room in the
Blodgett Building and opened there.
on August %, what was called the
United States Theater. the initial
performance being Venice Pre-
served, or the Spoiled Child" 1t
was the first regular theatrical per-
Torrance in the city. and one the
performers probably never forgot. as
a short while before the perform
ance began, heavy storm broke
over the city, overdowing the creeks
and drowning much stock and al
most running the theatrical scenery
Apparently the expenses, were
greater than the profits, for the pro-
moters closed the theater in less
than month.
The Blodgett Building remained
incompleted until 1910, when it was
purchased by the Government to be
occupied by the Post Office Depart
ment. the City Post Office, the Pat
ent ONCE and, for q time, by the
Library Of Congress. Later, it was
notable as having been the meeting
place Of the third session of the
18th Congress, September 10. 1914
to March 3, 1915. following the burn.
ing of the public buildings by the
British. This particular building
| had been saved from destruction
through the efforts of DR.. William
Thornton. who told the British Off.
GERS that it housed patent models o.
interest to the entire civilized world
and not of interest alone to Thu
country.
BY 1929 or 1880 1t became neces
sary to enlarge the building ant
an addition was built, facin,
Seventh street. and to this side tn
entrance to the Patent Office ant
the City Post Once was moved.
Burned in 1886
/ On December Is, 1886, this build
ing was destroyed by fire, togethe!
with all the accumulated mail ant
all the early patent models ane
specifications. So far as the Paten
Office was concerned, its loss wa!
an irreparable calamity. Following
the fire the business of the Paten
Office was transacted in the Cit,
Hall, and remained there until i
was removed to the building a
Ninth and F streets. The Pos
Office Department moved to tn,