•V-v/rr--"/ "°^-^--*/ V-''-'\*^' - •v.<.* c "°*. ■< ^^V .v^^ ■>. ■'-^^„-( .^ 0^ 6 " " " * 'O jj? o. *.",-. ^ ;-v:-* .0'' •O * C N 1 o o V A .-X ^3 ^ H'-'-^^ .•I ^ ' \ ,-^^ V niX^ OInlumbia liaBljmgtott, i. C 1904 Chas. S. Bundy President 1422 Kenesaw Avenue. Wm. H. Saunders isi Vice-President 1308 Roanoke Street. E. G. JEFFERYS 2d Vice-President 1225 Yale Street. Chas. F. Scott jof Vice-Presidejit Huron Apartment House, 1414 Binney Street. W. B. Todd Secretary 1243 Kenesaw Avenue. Louis H. Stabler Treasurer and Ass't Scdy 1 107 Yale Street. (EmatmittpF mt |JubItratiott Chas. S. Bundy George Simmons W. B. Todd A STATEMENT OF SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF Beautiful Columbia Heights A NEIGHBORHOOD OF HOMES Compiled and Arranged by The Columbia Heights Citizens' Association In behalf of the Columbia Heights Citizens' Association, we returu thanks to the public-spirited citizens whose generous contributions of personal efforts and funds have assured the successful publication and distribution of this pamphlet. If it shall aid in bringing desirable residents to this section and thereby contribute toward the realization of the Congressional plans for Greater Washington, this presen- tation of the commanding advantages of Columbia Heights will most satisfactorily accomplish the object of its publication. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Copyrighted 1904 by CoLfMHiA Heights Citizens' Association-, Washington, D. c. ^Uf\^ <' 'V Columbia Heights. Its Advantagfes as a Residence Section. Columbia Heights is an ideal section for homes. Every one of its residents thoroughly appreciates the advantages that he enjoys, and never ceases to sound the praises of the ' ' Heights. ' ' A few of these advantages are set forth in the following pages, published under the auspices of the Columbia Heights Citizens' Association. This Association has no pecuniary plans to ex- ploit. It is composed of public-spirited citizens, residents of the " Heights," ever alive to the mental, moral and material advancement of their home surroundings, and its leading pur- pose is to assist the Commissioners by its recommendation of needed public improvements in its own territory, and by its co-operation to aid in procuring the necessary legislation therefor. Its members also recognize the inestimable value of good neighbors, and therefore feel that home-seekers of the desired class should be informed of the facts commending the " Heights " to favorable consideration. Fairmont Seminary, N. K. Cor. 14U1 and Yale Streets Territory of the Columbia Heights Citizens^ Association. This territory extends from Florida Avenue on the south to Sprino: Road on the north, and from B'ightwood Avenue (Sev- enth Street) on the east to Fifteenth Street on the west. The territory is composed of a number of subdivisions, whose names, dates of establishment and relative locations may be of interest here. Residence of JIajor Richard Sylvester, 122^^ Roanoke Street As early as 1868 the small subdivisions of Prather, Wright & Cox, and Wright & Dole were established in the southeast corner of the tract, east of Sherman Avenue. In the same year, Todd & Brown's subdivision was laid out between Brightwood Avenue and the present Hleventh Street extended. The land between Eleventh and Fourteenth Streets was laid out as Columbia Heights in i88r and 1S82. Holmead, imme- diately north of Whitney Avenue, is the youngest of all the subdivisions east of Fourteenth Street, having been put upon record in July, 1883. ,'..' '.' ^H^^^ \k ^ y^B ^M'li 1 -£m m 1 ^H m I^K' ' ^ ^^H^^ i ^Od 1 1 A 1 ^^B^s^ |iT ^ ^/f^^^ "~~ ^ jM^i iik Residence OF JIr. Antonio Zetelle, 3101 14111 Street The other. subdivisions lie west of Fourteenth Street, and, in the order of their location north from Florida Avenue, are as follows : South Grounds of Columbian College, laid out in December, 1867 ; University Park, April 23, 1884; North Groundsof Columbian College, March 11, 1882 ; and John Sher- man's Subdivision of Mount Pleasant and Pleasant Plains, February 6, 1868. Historical Facts. All of the above-described territory is now popularly referred to as Columbia Heights, but special attention is here invited to a few historical facts about the subdivision laid out originally under that name. Columbia Heights proper occupies the land known as the "Stone Farm " in the early days of the District of Columbia. The first proprietor of the Stone farm was William J. Stone, senior, who was born in London, England, April 25, 1798, and who settled in Washington in 1815. He was an engraver, and he cut the fac-simile of the Declaration of Independence on copper for the Department of State in 1823. In 1842 he planned and built the house now occupying the northeast corner of Clifton and Thirteenth streets. This property, now known as " Calumet Place," was purchased by the friends of General John A. Logan and presented to him during his term as United States Senator, and since his death, it has been owned and occupied by his widow, Mrs. Mary A. Logan, The late Senator John Sherman bought the Stone farm in January, iSSi. It comprised 121.46 acres, and the considera- tion named in the deed of purchase is $175,000, With the ex- ception of " Calumet Place," it was platted into lots, blocks and streets in that year and the following year of 1882. Elevation and Temperature. In hot climates it is well recognized that the altitude com- pensates for latitude ; each elevation of a hundred feet, more or less, carrying with it a corresponding change in temperature. This holds good in the city of Washington and the District of Columbia, as everywhere else. Hence, in making choice of a place of residence, it is of prime importance that its precise ele- vation above sea level be ascertained. Comparative Elevations. The records of the Engineer Commissioner's office show that Pennsylvania Avenue, from the foot of Capitol Hill to the Treasury, is from 6 to 12 feet above mean low tide. Capitol Hill, including all that plateau east of the Capitol, at the highest point rises to 92 feet, but its average height is less than 90 feet. According to the same authority, the following are the ele- vations of the territory lying within the limits of the Associa- tion, and knowai by the general name of Columbia Heights : Lowest point (the intersection of Sherman and Grant Army and Navy Preparatory Echool, N. W. Cor. Princeloii and 13th Street.s mM if^ ^ Residenci; oi' Mr. George Simmo.xs, S. K. Cor. nth and Roanoke Streets avenues, just east of Garfield Memorial Hospital), 121 feet above mean low tide. Average elevation, 180 feet. All the portion immediately bordering upon Fourteenth Street, from the top of the hill opposite Judge Harlan's house to the northward, 190 to 200 feet. Some Advantag:es of Elevation. Those who have tried each of the two locations as a resi- dence report that in summer nights the temperature of Colum- bia Heights is ten degrees less than that of Pennsylvania Ave- nue and adjacent streets. This has been demonstrated by practical tests. In ten degrees Fahrenheit, more or less, there is a powerful factor in the equation of comfort ; and its influence is constant in the direction of high lands. Comfort induces sleep, " tired Nature's sweet restorer." In hot summer nights, when open cars carry thousands in search of a charm that lulls to sleep, every northbound pas- senger up Fourteenth Street with his crossing of Florida Avenue, becomes a grateful witness to the soothing zephyrs of Columbia Heights. That even moderate elevation acts as a restorative of health is proved by the fact that many home-seekers, who had moved from one place to another for the benefit either of themselves or of delicate children, have finally settled in Columbia Heights, finding in it the object of their desires. Safegfuards. In conformity with his plan that the high lands north of Florida Avenue should furnish ideal residential sites, vSenator Sherman resolved that certain conditions essential to the ])est home surroundings, and yet conspicuously lacking in the earlier subdivisions, should be assured to Columbia Heights. Cliief among these conditions are space, sunlight, air, plant life — all tributary to health and contentment. Such conditions were guaranteed by his patting upon record in the Surveyor's office the covenant, to go into every deed," that Residence of Mr. William S. Bronson, 1115 Roanoke .Street the front building line of all lots north of Clifton Street is fixed at not less than 30 feet from the street line on which the lots front." The effect ofthis is that virtually 60 feet have been added to the width of all streets in the subdivision. Thus the space be- tween building lines is 120 feet, 3ofeet of which on each side being parking. While, under this provision, the cost of a building site has been increased, the value of the home has been more than proportionately enhanced. Another safeguard was guaranteed likewise by a covenant, in each deed, which prohibits liquor selling and all manufacturing 13 ■4 and mechanical trades— thus setting^ apart the subdivision ex- clusively for residential sites. This covenant, at least in its prohibition of the liquor traffic, was reinforced and strength- ened by a subsequent act of Congress forbidding the sale of intoxicating liquors, spirituous or malt, vi'ithin a radius of one mile on every side of the Soldiers' Home. All of Columbia Heights is within this protected territory. This interdict fur- nishes the best possible safeguard for the children and young men of Columbia Heights. Residence of Mr. R. J. Earnshaw, 1225 Clifton .Street Development in Popwiation and Material Wealth. Under these ideal conditions, the growth of Columbia Heights in population and material wealth has been rapid and pronounced, presenting to-day good streets (many of them well side-walked and shaded), excellent sewerage and water- service, and attractive residences with all modern improve- ments. Every urban convenience has been provided for the benefit of this population. Stores supplying the demands of housekeeping are in easy reach of all ; and all the facilities of postoffice, telegraph and express are at the service of the people. 15 iELMONT, Resideuce of LeDroit I^. Barber, Corner 14th and Clifton Streets To give an idea of the stable character of the population ot Columbia Heights, attention is called to the fact that nowhere else in the District do so large a proportion of the inhabitants own the buildings in which they live. Desirable Neighbors. Nowhere within the District of Columbia can be found a community freer from the objectionable classes than that on the " Heights " ; and there is every assurance that present condi- tions in this regard will continue in the future development and building up of the section. All are alive to the importance of co-operating to that end. Adornment of the Homes. In providing for the thirty feet of parking on each side of the streets the wise projector of Columbia Heights had undoubtedly in mind the adornment of that space by the cultivation thereon of plants and flowers, and that this happy conception has been followed by many of the residents is evidenced by the niimer- ous attractive homes which now delight and charm the vision. Real Estate Values. In a recent conversation about values on Columbia Heights, a leading real-estate broker expressed himself as follows : " Nowhere else in this city are values so stable as in this sec- tion. During the financial panic of 1893, when in other sec- lions building operations were at a standstill and sales of rare 17 Ki,.-,iiji..\^K ui- Mr. William Holmeaij, 3531 131I1 street Residenck or Mr. J. Whit Herron, 3536 13th Street 18 occurrence, hundreds of buildings were being erected on Co- lumbia Heights, and were rented or sold as soon as completed. This healthy condition still continues. In no other section, where houses are so readily sold at prices ranging from $6,000 to $20,000, and are rented at from $40 to $72, can building lots be purchased so low, namely, 40 cents to $1 per foot— $1,200 to $3,000 for a lot. It has been said that larger profits have been made from investments in this section than anywhere else in the District. The rapid growth of Columbia Heights, and its increase in values, are repeatedly referred to by promoters of subdivisions in other sections, who claim that their opera- tions will be attended with similar success. But it is doubtful if a safer investment can be made to-day than by putting money into Columbia Heights houses and lots." Churches. Five churches present the open door to all ; so that nobody will find any lack of gospel and sanctuary privileges on Co- lumbia Heights. St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church and the Roman Catholic Shrine of the Sacred Heart are on Fourteenth Street ; the Fourth Presbyterian Church stands on the corner of Yale and Thirteenth Streets ; the Congrega- tional Church is on Columbia Road, and across the street therefrom is the Mt. Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church. Public Schools. In no other part of the National Capital has there been so Residence of Mr. Emil IJERLiNtR, 145S Columbia Road 19 Residence of Mr. H. H. Darxeille, 2523 13th Street Steady and rapid a growth in school facihties. Four first- class public schools are now maintained to accommodate the children of the Heights ; and Congress at its last session made adequate appropriation for a site and toward the construction of a new building, to relieve the crowded condition of the present schools. The new building will be erected on Har- vard Street, between Eleventh and Thirteenth Streets, acd will be named the "John W. Ross School," in honor of the late Commissioner of the District of Columbia, whose decease re- moved an enthusiastic resident of Columbia Heights. The plans of the authorities contemplate that at an early day the Washington Normal School, yet without a home, shall be located on the Heights, and that later a Northern High School shall be similarly located. These facts are significant of the rapid increase in population and of the educational advantages of Columbia Heights. Private Schools on the Heights. The District of Columbia has long been famous for the ex- cellence of its private schools. Fairmont Seminary, a select home and day school for girls and young ladies, at the corner of Fourteenth and Yale streets, deservedly stands in the front rank of private schools. The Army and Navy Prepar.-vtory School, one of the best and most thoroughly equipped of preparatory schools, is located at the northeast corner of Princeton and Thirteenth Streets. The school occupies the unique position of being the only large school in the country which has, in addition to the ^fifML i h..^ m ■^; S^^^l J!i— . IB^^"" ^^^^^^^ssss Residence of Mr. John C. P'ay, 1326 Princeton Street ordinary academic work, developed courses that prepare young men for entrance to the National Academies and for commis- sions in the United States Army and Navy, including the Marine Corps. The Washington Christian College, for young men and young women, is situated at the southeast corner of Four- teenth Street and Kenesaw Avenue. It is undenominational, thorough and able. Its faculty, of which Daniel E. Motley, Ph. D. (of Johns Hopkins University), is president, consists of twelve professors, half of whom are graduates of leading universities. Fire and Police Protection. Excepting that portion situated north of Whitney Avenue all of the land embraced in the territory of the Association is within the fire limits, and as a consequence the erection of wooden buildings is excluded therefrom. For the protection of property against fire there are provided up-to-date engine and truck companies, which are effi- ciently officered and manned. The engine house, built in the summer of 1896, and now occupied by Company No. 11, is on Fourteenth Street, near Kenyon. The truck house (Truck E) is situated on Whitney Avenue, between Thirteenth and Four- teenth streets, and is of the most modern construction. The new police station. No. 10, said to be the best police equipment in the District, stands on Whitney Avenue, east of Sherman Avenue. 23 ?4 Apartment Houses and Hotels Apartment-house life is in evidence as much on Columbia Heights as elsewhere in the District ; and the number and capacity of the several structures have kept pace with other improvements. Beginning with Chapin Street, we find the Berkshire, with thirty-two apartments ; the Stockbridge, with ten ; and the Chapin, with forty-one. Ascending Fourteenth Street hill, we come next to the Victoria, at the corner of Welling Place, Residence of Mr. William D. West, 1312 Roanoke Street with thirt5'-two apartments ; the Kensington and Leamington, twin buildings, on the opposite side of the street, with ten apart- ments each ; the Olympia, at the corner of Roanoke Street, with twenty-two apartments, and the Harding, with eight. The Binney, with twelve apartments, and the King, with ten, are on Binney Street, near Fourteenth. Continuing out Four- teenth Street, we pass the Columbia, at the corner of Binney, with twenty-four apartments ; the Savoy, adjoining on the north, with thirty-six, and the Berwick, at the corner of Park Street, with seventeen apartments. There are eight other buildings, without names, on the west side of Fourteenth Street, each having apartments above the first floor. The Stratford, a hotel, at the corner of Sheridan Avenue and Fourteenth Street, has accommodations for nearly one hundred guests. Residenck of Mr. Leo Simmons, i;,2i Yale Street Street Railway Facilities. With the completion of the I'Meventh Street underground electric, for which the steel rails and other materials are already on the ground and the road-bed ready for the conduits, Columbia Heights will have three nearly parallel lines of street railway ; and a fourth line is only two short squares to the westward. Columbia Heights is therefore unrivalled in street railway facilities. 26 27 Important Thoroughfares. Fourteenth Street is now the most important of the streets leading north from the city, and is, perhaps, destined ^o to con tiiiue. But certain topographical facts make Sherman Avenue a sharp riv^al as the main artery' of travel. Its grade being one- half tliat of Fourteenth Street, and onh' one-fourth that of Seventh Street, the superiority of Sherman Avenue for both light and heavy driving is obvious. Eleventh Street is comparatively undeveloped, and only its possibilities can now be spoken of. In regard to its location the fact may be stated that this street traverses the eastern Kksidicnci; OK Mk. Jami:s 1, \nmu'iS£<)^», -^^ / •'"^'■•'- **. ,*"" "ov^ 4-^ V 'J •^^ A A^ '\ . . s - . 0* '^o^ .^*^ ^ *^ : ^ ^'^ ^*^' :'^^ ^f^-^ A ■7 .r ^"-<^^^ * >*^ ^^ V <. ,-iy .' DOBBS BROS. r/^^i^i. t/^ . 4 O . ^"^'^'<* ^K ° ' ^ ^ ' ' " ^ ' <^ . . "^ ^0 ST. AUGUSTINE ■-' V ^**^.^,'* C\ ^0 c,'^ /^^ FLA- "^ A^ " ' "■" ' s ^^^ 32084 c, vf> ' • ' .,