History

Fort Myer, Virginia – The principal military post near Washington. Giesborough Point on Potomac – In the early days land fronting on either bank of the Eastern Branch was considered very valuable. Giesborough Manor occupied the land opposite Greenleaf Point, now Arsenal Point. This old manor house was noted for its hospitality, and was Standing until 1888 when the central portion was destroyed by fire. Large brick house just below Giesborough on river bank was built by Ignatius Fenwick Young. Marshall Hall, on East bank of Potomac – Built in 1700 by Joshua Marshall. Home of Thomas Marshall, Surgeon General …

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Society of The District of Columbia, Membership Roll, May 1891 Officers President: Hon. John Lee Carroll. Vice-President: Rear-Admiral Francis Asbury Roe, U. S. Navy. Board of Managers: Lewis Johnson Davis; Major Clarence Edward Dutton, U. S. Army; Rear-Admiral Samuel Rhoads Franklin, U. S. Navy; Commodore James Augustin Greer, U. S. Navy; Frank Warren Hackett; Archibald Hopkins; Brigadier-General William Beatty Rochester, U. S. Army; Capt. Daniel Morgan Taylor, U. S. Army; Secretary: Charles Worthington, 1409 L Street. Treasurer: Alexander Brown Legare, 1726 I Street. Registrar and Historian: Gaillard Hunt, 1466 Rhode Island Avenue. Chaplain: Rev. George William Douglas, D. D. Membership …

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Union Station Plaza, N. E. – Statue of Christopher Columbus, by Lorado Taft. A St., just East of s. e. corner of 1St and A Sts., N. E.- Second Tunnicliffe Tavern. – In 1794 Mr. Tunnicliffe, proprietor of the Eastern Branch Hotel, with George Walker erected a hotel on this site, called Washington City Hotel, management of Tunnicliffe 1794-1804. East Capitol St., north side, East of 1St St., N. E. – Rev. George Ralph, rector of Christ Episcopal Church, purchased for $2,400, from the Commissioners, a house located here, occupied by Mr. Hallett, where he opened in 1795 a day …

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Anacostia – Appears on oldest map of Captain John Smith in 1612. Indian name, “Nacotchtank.” Henry Fleet, captured by Indians, called it Nacostine – “Great Town for Traders.” Anacostia – Barry Farm, now Hillsdale -Owned by James Barry, who held much property both sides of the Eastern Branch. He was first president of the City Council Chamber. Died in 1807. In 1868 farm purchased by Freedmen’s Bureau for freed slaves. Anacostia – John Howard Payne, author of “Home Sweet Home” lived here. Also Frederick Douglas (colored) Minister to Haiti. Eastern Branch – Now called Anacostia River. Quoting Winchester’s “Early Wash-ington:” …

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South West Washington’s shipping section was part of the holding of Notley Young. Water St. (East and west sides between U and V Sts.) S. W. – George Washington acquired here in 1793 in what was “Carrollsburg Section” about six lots of land as above Stated. At that time this part of city was believed to be the coming maritime port of Washington. Greenleaf’s Point, S. W. – Greenleaf ‘s Point at junction of Potomac and Eastern Branch. Beginning of the present arsenal military depot established by the government under M. Villard, a Frenchman, friend of Lafayette. Charles Carroll, Jr., …

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I S. W. cor. 15th St., N. W. – Hamilton Fish of N. Y., when Secretary of State lived in house on this site. Now occupied by residence of John R. McLean of the Washington Post. This house faces McPherson sq. connected with the Story “Senator North” by Gertrude Atherton. I St., S. E. cor. 15th St., N. W. – (Liberty National Bank) Site of old Chamberlain Hotel occupying site of 3 houses formerly belonging to Fernando Wood, Ex. Governor Swann of Md. and James G. Blaine. Chamberlain Club, former meeting place of National Statesmen and men of letters once …

I thru R Street, State Named Streets District of Columbia Read More »

Georgetown – (Tohogare; Indiantown). First designated as town in 1751. Incorporated as city in 1789. Existed as town and city for 120 years, under three Sovereigns of Great Britain, then State of Maryland, and then United States in D. C. Charter repealed in 1871, and Georgetown declared belonging to, and under, the municipal government of the District. Even in Colonial days a town of wealth, culture and commercial importance. Took active part in French and Indian War. During Revolution shops here manufactured guns and ammunition, and warehouses Stored army supplies. The Committee of Safety re-fused to permit taxed tea to …

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