WSIC – Page 11 – Truxton Is In Shaw

WSIC-Newspaper Search part 2

This is a continuation of part 1. I search the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America site for newspaper articles about the Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC) and Truxton Circle. There will be more parts, most of it are auction sales when WSIC off loaded their properties in the mid-late 1950s.

Building Permits Issued– Evening star. [volume], September 10, 1901, Page 5. “Washington Sanitary Improvement Company, to build a two-story brick dwelling at 94 Bates street northwest; cost, $3,000.”

Building Permits Issued– Evening star. [volume], April 01, 1902, Page 2. “Washington Sanitary Improvement Company, to build eight two-story and cellar brick flats at 62 to 76 Bates street northwest; cost. $20,000.”

Real Estate Transfers– Evening star. [volume], December 19, 1916, Page 7.”NORTHWEST; BATES STREET between North Capitol and 1st streets northwest; 14 TO 42 O STREET NORTHWEST; HALF STREET between M and N streets southwest; 57 TO 81 L STREET NORTHEAST –George H. Harries and George M. Kober, surviving trustees of the Washington Sanitary Improvement Company, to Washington Loan and Trust Company, trustee, lots 170 to 182, Square 509; lots 33, 34 and part of lot 35, lots 49 to 79, 80 to 94, 98 to 150, square 552; lots 134 to 140, 170 to 179, 195 to 207, 236 to 256, 258 to 265. square 615; lots 169 to 183, square 617; lots 33 to 90, 92 to 120, 122, 123, 125 to 147, square 651; lots 415 to 427, square 674.”

John J. Edson Quits Bank Presidency-Declines Re-Election as Head of Washington Loan and Trust Company- John B. Larner Succeeds- Succeeded Mr. Warner– Evening star. [volume], January 10, 1917, Page 5 -“He has been treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States since its organization, of the Washington Sanitary Improvement Company, the National Geographic Society from 1901 to date; of the Associated Charities
from 1894, and was formerly treasurer of the George Washington University.
…….
For many years he has been chairman of the Summer Outing Committee for Children: and he was president and trustee of the National Homeopathic Hospital from 1889 to 1905.”

Total of $366,932 in D.C. Building– Evening star. [volume], March 01, 1930, Page B-3. “Washington Sanitary Improvement Co., owner; A. S. Johnson & Co., builders; to reroof, 200 to 230 and 201 to 229 Bates street (lots 132 to 147 and ‘ 80 to 94, square 552); to cost $1,500.”

Permits- Repair Work– Evening star. [volume], June 18, 1938, Page B-2. “Washington Sanitary Improvement Co., 915 F street N.W., owners; Edson & Bressler, Bond Building, builders; to erect brick garage, 121 Bates street N.W.; to cost $1,400.”

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], June 10, 1953, Page C-16. Auction 220A Bates Street NW ($8000).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son – Evening star. [volume], April 19, 1954, Page B-11. Auction of 131 Bates Street NW ($7,750).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], June 08, 1954, Page B-17. Auction of 130 “Q” St NW ($15,000). 132 Q Street NW ($8,000).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son–Evening star. [volume], November 27, 1954, Page A-15. Auction of 200 Bates St NW ($8000) and 204 Bates St NW ($7,750).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], May 19, 1955, Page B-20. Auction of 214A Bates St NW ($7,750).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], July 01, 1955, Page B-9. Auction of 138 Que St NW ($8000), 69A Bates Street NW ($7,750) ; Evening star. [volume], July 06, 1955, Page C-5. Auction of 69A Bates Street NW ($7,750). 18 Que St NW ($8000).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], February 24, 1956, Page C-5. Auction of 229 P Street NW ($8000).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], April 21, 1956, Page A-14. 202 Bates Street NW ($7750).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], May 02, 1956, Page B-16. 1519 Third Street NW ($7750). 205 “P” Street NW ($8000).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], August 29, 1956, Page C-6. Auction of 139 Bates Street NW( $7,750), 55 Bates Street NW ($7,750), 34A Bates Street NW ($7,500).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], September 04, 1956, Page B-1. Auction of 139 Bates Street NW ($7,750), 55 Bates Street NW ($7750), 34 Bates Street NW ($7500).

WSIC-Newspaper Search part 1

Instead of looking at individual addresses, which I’ll still keep doing, let’s look at the Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC) in the newspaper for Truxton Circle. I have to limit it to Truxton Circle because WSIC had investment properties in various other parts of Washington, DC and I really want to focus on the TC.

This is broken up into parts because newspaper announcement of auctions of individual properties makes the post too long.

Building Permits Issued– Evening star. [volume], April 21, 1905, Page 12. “To the Washington Sanitary Improvement Company, thirteen two-story brick dwellings, 147 to 171 P street northwest, to cost $39,000; thirteen two-story brick dwellings, 146 to 170 Bates street northwest, to cost $39,000; six two-story brick dwellings, 100
to 113 and 121 to 125 Bates street northwest, to cost $18,000.” “To Washington Sanitary Improvement Company, three two-story brick dwellings, 120 to 124 O street northwest; cost $9,000.”

BUILDING PERMITS FOR WEEK INCREASE– Evening star. [volume], June 21, 1924, Page 14. Washington Sanitary Improvement Company, to erect eight dwellings at 12 to 26 Bates street; cost $60,000.

BUILDING PERMITS TOTAL $209,215– Evening star. [volume], January 19, 1929, Page 15– “Repairs to Be Made. Washington Sanitary Improvement Co., owner; to make repairs to porches,
200 to 230 Bates street and 201 to 231 P street (lots 132 to 147, 111 to 119 and 148 to 150. square 552); to cost $1,044.
Washington Sanitary Improvement Co., owner; to repair porches. 15 to 77 and 44 to 76 Bates street (lots 195 to 207, 253 to 256. 134 to 140, 237 to 244, 245. 811 to 818 and 258 to 265), square 615); to cost $1,436.”

Home Building Shows Increase– Evening star. [volume], October 22, 1932, Page B-3. “Washington Sanitary Improvement
Co., owners; George E. Locknane, designer; Mutual Construction Co., builders; to erect one 2-story brick apartment, 130 Q street, to cost $10,000.”

Building Drops In Capital Area– Evening star. [volume], February 17, 1934, Page B-1. “The largest single Item was for a $10,300 addition to a structure at 124 Q street, to be built by the Washington Sanitary Improvement Co.”

Transactions Brings End to Low-Rent Housing– Evening star. [volume], November 04, 1950, B-1 & Firm’s Sale Brings End to Low-Rent Experiment B4. The WSIC came to an end. They rented to whites and blacks. WSIC informed white tenants that they intended to sell the units to African Americans. Unhappy tenants created the Tenants Committee to Protest Eviction. “The units so far offered for sale are mainly located on Bates street between North Capitol and Third streets N.W.; on Third street between P and Q streets N.W.; on Q street, between Second and Third -streets N.W., and on P street between Second and Third streets N.W.”
List of properties sold (address, yr. acquired, no. of buildings):
1501-1551 Third street N.W., 1904, 24 buildings.
124-230 Q street N.W., 1905, 24 buildings.
201-231 P street N.W., 1905, 16 buildings.
14-42 O street N.W., 1901, 15 buildings.
14- 28 Bates street N.W., 1905, 8 buildings.
30-94 Bates street N.W., 1900, 25 buildings.
15- 77 Bates street N.W., 1900, 32 buildings.
119-229 Bates street N.W., 1905, 26 buildings.
200-230 Bates street N.W., 1905, 16 buildings.
416-441 Warner street N.W., 1902, 13 buildings. <- Not in TC but wanted to add.

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], April 14, 1954, Page C-5. Auction of 131 Bates St NW ($7,750).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], June 03, 1954, Page B-20. Auction of 132 Q St NW ($8000).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son–Evening star. [volume], December 07, 1954, Page C-4. Auction of 200 Bates St NW ($8,000) and 129 Bates St NW ($3,650).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], September 27, 1955, Page B-8. Auction of 20A Bates St NW ($7,750), 229 Bates St NW ($8000), 215-215A Bates St NW ($7,750), and 66 Bates St NW ($7,750).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], April 26, 1956, Page B-15 and –Evening star. [volume], May 01, 1956, Page B-12. Auction of 142 Que St NW ($8,250), 202 Bates St NW ($7,750).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], August 09, 1956, Page B-11– 214 Bates St NW was to be sold for approx. $7,750. 200A Bates St NW, to be sold for approx. $8,000. 132A Que St NW to be sold for approx. $8K. (54A Bates St NW to be auctioned too)

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], September 13, 1955, Page C-4. Homes to be auctioned- 1545-A Third Street NW ($7500).

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son– Evening star. [volume], March 05, 1956, Page B-9. Auction of 229 P St NW ($8,000).

WSIC- 141 Bates St NW- Newspaper Search

Welcome back to my series where I plug in the address of a Washington Sanitary Improvement Co rental home in the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America newspaper search and see what relevant articles come up. If I feel like it, I’ll look at the Washington Post/Washington Star search in ProQuest. Then we’ll see what pops up. I’ll leave it to you to make up your own story.

In the 1920s a manager or distributor of the Washington Times lived at 141 Bates, so there were too many posts related to newspaper promotions. Also it appears a resident of 141 Bates owned 1234 R.I. Ave NE, as there are classified ads about it. I’m leaving out a number of 1920s posts.

Wanted- Miscellaneous– Evening star, February 18, 1908, Page 16 – “WANTED AT ONCE 3 FEATHER BEDS will pay a good price. Address Mrs. LUND 141A Bates st.”

Deaths-White– The Washington Times, August 15, 1911, LAST EDITION, Page 14. Infant (8 days old) Leonard Avery of 141 Bates street northwest, died.

Deaths Reported– Evening Star, August 15, 1911, Page 7. Leonard Avery, 8 days, 141 Bates street northwest.

Deaths Reported– Evening Star, March 28, 1914, Page 7. Franz K. Hild, 1 year, 141 Bates street northwest.

Enemy Aliens Who May Be Banished from the District– The Washington Times, December 11, 1917, FINAL EDITION, Page 6– Very anti-immigrant news. A tailor named Joseph Offenbacher, 38, 141 Bates street NW, lived here for 3 years and was outed as being Austro-Hungarian, along with many other resident aliens.

27 Austrians Seek Standing of Citizenship– The Washington Herald, December 11, 1917, Page 14. Austrian butcher, George Schweirier of 141-a Bates street northwest sought citizenship.

Police News- Auto Hits Streetcar– The Washington Herald, July 30, 1919, Page 3. Frank Hill of 141 Bates street northwest had his car damaged when he and a streetcar collided at 6th and Mass Ave NW.

Jackie Coogan Club Forms Today– The Washington Times, November 26, 1923, Page 4. 141 Bates street northwest was a branch location where kids could get a Jackie Coogan button.

Movie Tickets to be Given Today– The Washington times, December 04, 1923, Page 9. 141 Bates street northwest was listed as a substation where children presenting 8 coupons got a ticket to the Jackie Coogan movie “Long Live the King.”

Times Plan is Educational for Boys– The Washington Times, February 13, 1924, Page 2. C. Reinhard was listed as a Washington Times branch manager at 141 Bates street northwest.

Times Gives Children Chance to See ‘Bread’– The Washington Times, July 26, 1924. Part of a promotion for a Metro-Goldwyn film. Donate a loaf of bread and get a free ticket. 141 Bates street northwest was listed as a location.

Bread Is The Staff Of Life– The Washington Times, July 26, 1924, Page 5; July 31, 1924, Page 10; July 28, 1924, Page 5; Part of a promotion for a Metro-Goldwyn film. Donate a loaf of Dad’s Bread and get a free ticket. 141 Bates St. N.W. was listed as a location.

Many Loaves of Bread Given– The Washington Times, July 29, 1924. 141 Bates street northwest was a Times branch location where people could drop off bread for movie tickets. Bread would go to the Salvation Army.

‘Sallies’ Give Bread to the Needy– The Washington Times, July 28, 1924, Image 13. Part of a film promotion in partnership with a charity to provide bread to the poor. 141 Bates street northwest was a drop off location.

Boys! Play Ball. Here’s a Gift You’ll Appreciate– The Washington Times, April 21, 1925, Page 16. Baseball ball and mitt give away for 10 subscriptions. 141 Bates St. rear was a branch location.

Star Boys Club Again to Have Section to View Big Leaguers– Evening Star, September 03, 1926, Page 26. Robert Hild of 141 Bates street was a new member of the [Washington] Star Boys Club.

Three Brothers Out for Free Trips to Fight– The Washington Times, September 03, 1926, Page 2. Max Kaplan of 141 Bates street northwest was supposed to be an entrant for a contest.

Deaths-Wolfe, Willis T. – Evening Star, April 08, 1941, Page A-6. Husband of Lucy and father of Charles M. died at home on April 6, 1941. Home being 141 Bates st. n.w.

Deaths Reported– Evening Star, April 08, 1941, Page B-18. Willis T. Wolfe, 80, 141 Bates st. n.w.

Miscellaneous for Sale-Wheel Chair– Evening Star, June 22, 1941, Page E-6. Some one at 141 Bates St NW was selling a wheelchair.

Deaths Reported– Evening Star, July 17, 1942, Page A-12. Lucy A. Wolfe, 61, 141 Bates st n.w.

District Traffic Deaths Rise to 66 as Man Hit by Streetcar Dies– Evening Star, October 12, 1944. James H. Porter, 31, of 141 Bates street N.W. was a streetcar operator.

Personal– Evening Star, October 19, 1944, Page B-16. “I WILL NOT be responsible for debts incurred by anyone except myself. JOSHUA E. ROSE, 141 Bates st. n.w.”

Man Killed by Car of Policeman In Probe of Earlier Auto Death– Evening Star, June 16, 1948. Stuart J. Gay, 34, of 141 Bates St N.W. died crossing Baltimore Blvd at Murkirk in PG Co. Gay was a Merchant Marine veteran and was in service during WWII. He had
lived in Washington for the last 11 years. He was native of Charlottesville, VA. He worked as a carpenter there before coming to Washington. Gay was survived by his widow. Trosy Gay, and three daughters; Frances, 14; Sylvia, 12, and Jacqueline, 5.

Hacker Killed by Police Car After Probe of Earlier Fatality– Evening Star, June 16, 1948. Stuart J. Gay, 34, of 141 Bates street N.W. death.

Policeman Cleared in Traffic Fatality– Evening Star, June 25, 1948, Page A-14. Stuart J. Gay, 34, of 141 Bates St N.W. was struck crossing Baltimore Washington Blvd.

Miscellaneous For Sale– Evening Star, August 06, 1950, Page E-4. Resident of 141A Bates st. n.w. selling a radio for $10.

Marriage License Applications– Evening Star, August 19, 1954, Page B-14. Harold Freeman, 18, 141 Bates st n.w. and Jo Stewart, 18, 1364 1st st s.w.

Deaths-Wilson, Eva L.– Evening Star, October 25, 1954, Page A-18. Eva L. Wilson died after a lengthy illness at 141-A Bates st. n.w.

Auction Sales- Thos. J. Owen & Son, Auctioneers– Evening Star, December 20, 1961, Page C-16; December 15, 1961, Page D-7. Auction for Sq. 552 lot 35 (141 Bates St NW), appears minimum price was $8,000.

WSIC- 139 Bates St NW- Newspaper Search

I’m going to search the newspaper for 139 Bates St and see what pops up for this Washington Sanitary Improvement Co. house.

Classified Ad- Situations- Domestic– Evening Star, April 17, 1923, Page 33; Evening Star, April 18, 1923, Page 33. Light household duties, sewing, etc, white woman. 139 Bates st nw.

Boy, 16, Crushed to Death by Auto, Eleven Injured– The Washington Herald, May 30, 1922, Page 2. The auto that was involved was driven by Augustus Rubino, of 139 Bates st nw.

Classified- Wanted to Rent– The Washington Times, May 29, 1923, Page 19. Appears the resident of 139-A Bates was looking for a new place that was convenient to cars in DC or MD.

How Much Income Tax Your Neighbor Is Paying Government– The Washington Times, September 04, 1925, Page 9. Gus Rubino, 139 Bates, $46.04.

Income Tax Returns Paid from District and Vicinity– Evening Star, September 06, 1925, Page 20. Gus Rubino, 139 Bates street, $46.04.

Deaths Reported– Evening Star, October 27, 1927, Page 26. Annie E. Smith, 62, 139-A Bates st.

Hen in Detective’s Backyard is By-Product of Crime Merger- Abandoned by Thief Who Steals Automobiles to Aid in Chicken-Pilfering Business- Evening Star, June 20, 1930, Page B-1. Henry Blankenship of 139 Bates street had his automobile stolen from in front of his house.

$20,000 in Bonds Stolen from Auto– Evening Star, October 09, 1937, Page A-2. Lulu Fowler of 139 Bates street, was walking on 3rd St, between N & O St NW when her purse was stolen by 3 boys.

Marriage License Applications– Evening Star, February 05, 1944, Page B-11. Robert Seomiller, 23, of 4811 North Capitol st and Emma Tubbs, 19, 139-A Bates st nw.

Marriage License Applications– Evening Star, June 02, 1944, Page B-18. Elden Ernst, 23, 22 Hawaii Ave ne and Iva Tubbs, 20, 139-A Bates st nw.

Classified- Automobiles for Sale– Evening Star, October 24, 1948, Page E-14. Oldsmobile 1934 4-door, radio, motor good shape. $400

Marriage License Applications– Evening Star, August 04, 1949, Page B-9. Nelson V. Tubbs, 22, 139 Bates st, nw to marry Beverly J. Trite, 18, of 137 Bates st nw.

Deaths Reported– Evening Star, March 21, 1953. Infant Terrell, 139 Bates st nw.

Marriage License Applications– Evening Star, May 26, 1953, Page B-8. Charles Johnson, 21 and Minnie Ferguson, 19, of 139 Bates St nw.

Thos. J. Owen & Son, Auctioneers– Evening Star, August 29, 1956, Page C-6.; Evening Star, March 03, 1958, Page B-8; Evening Star, August 27, 1959, Page C-4.; Trustee’s sale of 139 Bates St N.W. Sq 552 lot 34.

WSIC-137 Bates St NW- Newspaper Search

I’m going to try something. Sometimes I find interesting information just plugging in an address. So I have searched “137 Bates” a Washington Sanitary Improvement rental and looked to see what popped up.

These are in chronological order. Make your own story of them.

Classified Ad-Situations Wanted Male- AM LOOKING FOR A POSITION STRONG AND healthy- Willing. 137 Bates St. nw. The Washington Post (1877-1922), Mar 22 1907, p. 14.

Hold for Attack on Child– The Washington Post (1877-1922) 24 Dec 1907, p. 4. Frank R. Riley of 137 Bates St NW was jailed for attacking 10 year old Mary Butler of 1303 Klinkers Ct NW.

Thinks Strange man Robbed Them– Evening Star 19 Feb 1909. Frank R. Riley of 137 Bates NW was robbed at 2nd and East Cap Sts.

Tired of Living- Frank Riley Drank Laudanum with Suicidal Intent– Evening Star 21 Feb. 1909. Frank Riley’s sister found him and he went to the hospital.

Once Kidnapped Now He Is At Vera Cruz– The Washington Herald 07 May 1914. George Nelson Miller, 20, of 137 Bates NW, was a coalpasser aboard the Florida at Vera Cruz. His mother was Mrs. Margie M. Johnson, also of 137 Bates NW.

Classified Ad- CARD CASE– The Washington Times 10 Aug. 1922. G.N. Miller lost documents on the steamer St. Johns.

St. Agnes Basketers– Evening Star 22 Feb. 1923. Basketball club contact address.

Herald’s Sandlot Directory- Midgets– The Washington Times, 01 April 1923. ;The Washington Times 08 April 1923 ;15 April 1923 ;Contact person F. Crovato at 137 Bates St NW. Side note- Under Juniors is the Truxton Juniors at 228 Bates St NW.

Lost & Found–CAT- The Washington Times 29 Oct. 1925. Someone lost their Persian cat.

Three Divorce Suits Filed– The Washington Times 23 Dec. 1927. Nancy E. Miller of 1920 L St NE named George N. Miller of 137 Bates NW as a correspondent, accusing him of misconduct. Jacob Halper was his lawyer.

LOST- WRIST WATCH– Evening Star 02 Nov. 1941. Lost ladies watch somewhere near Riverside Stadium.

Miller, George Nelson (obituary)– Evening Star 21 April 1942; 22 April 1942 . He died April 19, 1942. Husband of Mattie P., father of Lorraine C. Miller. Son of Margie Harleston Johnson. Last address 137A Bates St NW. Buried at Arlington.

Marriage License Applications– Evening Star 04 Aug. 1949. Nelson V. Tubbs, 22, of 139 Bates St NW to marry Beverly J. Trite, 18, 137 Bates St NW.

Marriage License Applications– Evening Star 05 Feb. 1952. Earl Davis, 18, 137 Bates St NW to marry Shirley Greene, 18, 816 6th St NW.

Douglas Son Among 109 Up For Induction- The Washington Post (1923-1954), Sep 06 1953, p. 1. Local Board No. 7- Charles A. Davis of 137 Bates St. nw up for the Army draft.

Gang of 4 Accused in 18 Housebreakings– The Washington Post (1923-1954), Oct 02 1953, p. 33. Ringleader Bronston T. Weldon, 23, of 447 Ridge St nw, implicated Earl W. Davis, 19, of 137 Bates St. nw in house break-ins.

34 Lose Auto Permits, 77 Get Suspensions– Evening Star 03 Aug. 1958. Bernard Davis was suspended for no license or registration.

Marriage License Applications– Evening Star 02 Nov. 1958 Lonnie Lovely, 20, and Jeanne Ferguson, 22, both of 137 Bates St NW.

Permits of 44 Drivers Are Revoked By District– Evening Star 21 Jan. 1960. Earl W. Davis had his license revoked for an accumulated record of at least 12 points.

Public Notice- Invitation for Bids– The Washington Post (1974-), Nov 28 1980, p. 1. The DC Department of Housing and Community Development sought bid from licensed contractors for 137 Bates St NW and other DC properties.

115 LEGAL NOTICES– he Washington Post (1974-), Nov 08 1982, p. 1. The Department of Licenses, Investigations and Inspections might provide an occupancy permit for 137 Bates Street NW.

WSIC- Reference Post- TC Properties Owned- Lots & Addresses

This is a reference post regarding Washington Sanitary Improvement Company’s (WSIC) properties.

Square 552

Lots 33-35 would have been 137-141 Bates St NW
Lots 49-60 — 1529-1551 3rd St NW
Lots 61-79 — 138-230 Q St NW
Lots 80-94 — 201-229 Bates St NW
Lots 98-100 — 132-136 Q St NW
Lots 104-106 — 131-135 Bates St NW
Lots 107-119 — 207-231 P St NW
Lots 120-131 — 1501-1523 3rd St NW
Lots 132-147 — 200-230 Bates St NW
Lots 148-150 — 201-205 P St NW
Lot 811 (now lot 221) — 130 Q St NW
Lots 816-818 (was 101-103) — 119-123 Bates NW
Lots 819-820 (originally part of lot 25) 125??-129?? Bates St NW. <- This will require more research.

Square 615

Lots 65-66 — 22-24 Q St NW (may need more research)
Lots 134-140 — (now 285-292) 31-43 Bates St NW
Lots 170-179 (now 811-818)— 46-60 Bates St NW
Lots 195-207 (now 293-304) — 55-77 Bates St NW
Lot 236 — 94 Bates St NW
Lots-237-244 — 15-29 Bates St NW
Lots 245-252 — 30-44 Bates St NW
Lots 253-256 — 45-51 Bates St NW
Lot 257 (now 806) — 12 Q St NW
Lots 258-265 — 62-76 Bates St NW

Square 617
Lots 169 to 183 (now 224-238) — 14-42 O St NW

WSIC- Square 552- Odd side of 200 blk Bates- A visual

This concludes the visual look at the Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC), properties on Square 552. According to the 1933-1934 General Assessment WSIC owned lots 33-35, 49-94, 98-100, 104-150, 811, and 816-820. The 200 even block of Bates St NW were lots 80-94.

Whereas there were fewer dual entrance properties on the even side of the 200 block of Bates, the odd side had preserved more of them into the early 2000s.

Although it no longer had a second entrance, you can see evidence that there was a door under the window of 225 Bates Street NW.

A ‘positive’ of neighborhood disinvestment is that sometimes it works as a preservative. If structures manage not to get torn down, there is little incentive to modernize or gussy up the exterior. When gentrification hits, as it has, there is an incentive to add a third story or change the whole structure. I am thankful for the 2004 photos. It was the start of the 2nd wave of Shaw gentrification, but well before the million dollar houses started showing up. We can still see what the WSIC built and what managed to survive after 100 years.

I’m going to take a little break from WSIC. Just a little.

WSIC- Square 552- Even side of 200 blk Bates- A visual

The Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC), owned, on Square 552, according to the 1933-1934 General Assessment WSIC owned lots 33-35, 49-94, 98-100, 104-150, 811, and 816-820. Previous posts looked at the 100 block of Bates. Square 552 holds both the 100 and 200 block of Bates St NW.

Most if not all of the WSIC properties were built with two flats, as they were intended to be rental properties, not homes for homeowners. Looking at many of the houses on even side of the 200 block of Bates, there is only one property that had two entrances still in 2004.

A peek at Google street view and 222 Bates St NW, which only had one entrance in 2004. It seems sometime around 2015, 222 Bates St became two condos, with two separate entrances. And it got a pop-up.

222 Bates St NW, before going condo & getting a popup.

So what’s the bay, no bay pattern? Starting with 200 Bates: 2nd floor bay, no bay, bay, bay, bay, no bay, bay, no bay, bay, no bay, bay, no bay, bay, no bay, bay, and bay. The pattern makes no sense.

Another thing should note about all the Bates Street houses, from the unit block on Sq. 615 to the 200 on Sq. 552, is there is no yard. It very much like a lot of Baltimore row houses. One steps out their door and the sidewalk is right there. No need for a lawnmower.

WSIC- Square 552- Odd side of 100 blk Bates- A visual

The Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC), owned, according to the 1933-1934 General Assessment WSIC owned lots 33-35, 49-94, 98-100, 104-150, 811, and 816-820. Previously, we looked at the even side of the 100 block of Bates where there were no WSIC owned properties. Now, the odd side.

Lots 816-820, which are 119-123 Bates St NW, are not the first set of houses on the 100 odd block of Bates. The other houses, on lots 183-185 (107-111 Bates St NW) have a noticeably different style.

A WSIC house has a particular style. There is the 2nd floor bay and there are the design details, sometimes two or three, near the top of the building over the windows.

I should note that lots 816-820 were lots 101-103 in 1919.

Old lot 25, became lots 803-805 (and other lots), is 125-129 Bates St NW. Lot 805 remains, and 803-804 became lots 821-822. These are not WSIC properties. You can see by the style of these properties they are not WSIC houses.

If you remember from other WSIC posts, lot 25 owners were hold outs.

Lots 104-106 are 131-135 Bates St NW. Here we return to the WSIC style of 2nd floor bays, or no bays between bays.

Lots 33-35 are 137-141 Bates and it continues the WSIC pattern of houses.

WSIC- Square 552- Even side of 100 blk Bates- A visual

The Washington Sanitary Improvement Company (WSIC), owned, according to the 1933-1934 General Assessment WSIC owned lots 33-35, 49-94, 98-100, 104-150, 811, and 816-820. Previously, we looked at the surrounding streets. Now we get to the creamy caramel center that is Bates St.

On the square that is 552, Bates Street intersects the center and has a 100 block and a 200 block. The even side of the 100 block of Bates St NW are lots 192-194, 202-212, and 217-219. Aaaaand none of those numbers match what was owned by the WSIC in 1933.

A number of Sq. 552 lots were owned by a guy named Charles J. Walker in 1933. On the even 100 block of Bates he owned lot 193, which is 112 Bates St NW. Along with lots 217-219, or 118-122 Bates St NW.

I should look into Mr. Walker, when I’m done with WSIC.