Washington, DC, 1999.
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CITY OF WASHINGTON.
Annual statement of improvements made within the city in the year
1837;
together with the additional assessment; the total on personal property, buildings, and aggregate; also, the supposed population.
JOHN SESSFORD.
During the year, but little has been done by the Corporation, beyond the casual repair of streets, except the filling up of lots, by direction of the Board of Health, which were covered with water, and considered injurious to the health of the inhabitants. The general healthiness of the city is fully admitted by all who have an opportunity of judging correctly; the markets well supplied, and at prices lower, on the average, than those of any city to the east of this place. The bridge at Twelfth street has been reduced in height, affording a much easier passage over it. Some dredging has been done in the Canal, opposite sewers; the necessity for this might easily be obviated by the construction of sediment basins where wanted: the west entrance of the Canal is still much obstructed by the remains of the Dam, which ought to be removed, so as to admit small steamboats and river craft to enter without difficulty, and pass up to the heart of the business part of the city, the depth of water inside, at ordinary high tides, being over seven feet—a depth equal to the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, through which pass coal and lumber vessels. Should this work be commenced early in the spring, beneficial effects would soon be felt. Great progress has been made in the construction of the new Treasury building and Patent Office. The extension of the west enclosure of the Capitol adds much to its general appearance; the embellishments of the grounds within it are neat and well-arranged, and the promenade through it delightful, enlivened by a handsome jet and basin. Iron pipes have been laid from the Capitol, along the north side of Pennsylvania avenue, to Fifteenth street, with a sufficient number of plugs for the supply of water in case of fire. At the Arsenal considerable improvements have been made by building, as well as partially filling up the swamp on the east side of the ground south of the Penitentiary. Some additional buildings have been erected at the Navy Yard. This yard, from its neatness, forms a considerable attraction to the stranger, but wants to be enlivened by the presence of public vessels. Why this is not the case, it is difficult to conjecture, particularly when it is known that vessels constructed at this yard have cost less, and endured longer without the necessity of repair, than those built elsewhere. The eastern portion of the city would be much benefited by the ordering of a portion of the smaller class of vessels of war to this navy yard for discharge and refitting.
Annual Exhibit of Buildings erected in the City in the year
1842—
Assessments, &c.
By John Sessford.
In the First Ward, some improvements have been made in streets, &c., and a new and substantial bridge erected across Rock creek by the Corporation of Georgetown; but the approach to it from the city is bad, and should be remedied without delay. Within the Second and Third Wards, some important improvements have been made in opening, grading, and gravelling streets, making bridges and culverts, &c., and reservoirs for water; a substantial bridge at Second street, across Pennsylvania avenue, has been erected. In the Fifth Ward, some good improvements have been made.
The colonnade of the Treasury building has been put up, and cast-iron railing in front between the columns; the area wall, with railing on it, around the General Post Office, has been completed, the area paved with white marble, the footway outside with large flags. Some temporary fixtures around the Patent Office. The Patent Office building is daily visited by citizens and strangers, to view the extensive collection of curiosities. Additional improvements have been made at the Navy Yard and Arsenal. The new Jail is occupied, and the old one is now undergoing alterations for a Lunatic Asylum. The Potomac bridge is yet unfinished. There are nine Steamboats plying from the city. The lands around the city are in much demand from the increase of the market.
THE CITY OF WASHINGTON.
Annual Statement of Improvements made within the year
1845,
&c.
Within three or four years past a number of four-story brick and three-story frame houses have been erected.
First Ward.
—Great improvements have been made in grading and gravelling various streets. Another lime kiln has been built, in addition to the three previously erected: th stone for which is obtained through the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, and the lime is of a superior quality, furnished to builders at one-half the price formerly charged when obtained from the East, and giving employment to many hands. The Observatory is now well-furnished with instruments for observations, with competent observers, the grounds enclosed, and in a state of preparation for laying them out in walks, &c., which will soon afford a delightful place for recreation, being on an eminence, and affording a splendid view of this city, Georgetown, Alexandria, and the District. Pennsylvania avenue, from the War Department on 17th street to Georgetown, has been regraded and gravelled, with paved side-gutters, out of an appropriation made by Congress.
Second Ward.
—In this
Third Ward.
—From the extent and central position of this ward for business, greater and more important improvements have been made than any other in opening streets, sideways, &c. The market is abundantly supplied with meats and country produce, and excessively crowded with sellers and buyers. The building should, without delay, be enlarged by extending the wings to B street on such a plan as would be in unison with the improvements of market-houses in other places—the additional stalls, &c. would more than meet the interest on the cost of building. A new Presbyterian Church has been erected on 8th, between H and I streets, for the congregation of which Mr. Tuston is the pastor. The Odd Fellows Society have erected on 7th street, between D and E streets, a lofty and extensive Hall, three stories high: the lower story is divided into two stores, ninety feet deep; the second story is for assemblies, &c., full depth, with side-rooms detached; and the upper story for the use of the Society. Another very large Hall has been erected by Messrs. Blair & Rives on Pennsylvania avenue, between 3d and 4½ streets, very lofty, with a granite front on the first story, calculated for two stores, one hundred feet deep each; the second story is in one room, (Jackson Hall,) and a third story. In the rear there is an extensive building for a printing office. Gadsby's Hotel, corner of 3d street and Pennsylvania avenue, erected by Mr. Withers, as well as the one opposite erected by Mr. Jones, add much to the appearance of the neighborhood.
In the
Fourth, Fifth,
and
Sixth Wards,
but little has been done in improving streets. The Infirmary at the extremity of the city is now occupied. A new Laboratory building has been erected within the Navy Yard, with two wings. Pennsylvania avenue, from east of the Capitol to the Navy Yard, &c., has been graded and gravelled through the Fourth and Sixth Wards by the United States.
Pennsylvania avenue, east of 15th to 6th street, has been completed by pebble-paving, curbing, and gravelling—dividing the carriage-way (which is 100 feet wide from curb to curb) into three parts—two pebble-paved, and the centre deeply bedded with gravel in layers, and covered with shore-gravel. Sewers have been rebuilt across the avenue at 6th street, and between 9th and 10th and 15th streets.
The Columbian College, beautifully situated on a commanding height adjoining the city, which heretofore has been much embarrassed, but now free of debt, is rapidly rising into importance and usefulness, having, at the commencement of its present session, nearly doubled its number of students in the College proper, and obtained a large accession of pupils to the Preparatory School. The medical branch is in a flourishing state, holding its meetings in the building formerly known as the old jail, and which has been neatly fitted up for a hospital.
Our neighbors of Georgetown have not been altogether idle; as confidence is now restored that the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal will be completed, they have commenced improving. Two brick warehouses and seventeen dwellings have been erected within the year; the drain passing through the squares above Bridge street has been arched and filled over to a great extent—the accomplishing of which affords an opportunity for those owning lots having a surplus of earth to find a place for its deposite, and at the same time making room for buildings, many of which are contemplated to be put up in the spring. The extensive factory building is enclosed, and all its floors laid, and ready for the machinery. This factory, when completed, will give employment to a large number of individuals, drawing wealth to the place, and affording a home-market for the agriculturist, &c., which is at all times the best market for the country. Adjoining Georgetown on