William Prout: Community Builder

William Prout: Community Builder. Tour of Duty. , Most of the land that is now Capitol Hill, including portions of the Navy Yard – once belonged to William Prout, who lived in a large house on this block. In 1799 and 1801 he sold and traded land to the U.S. government for both the yard and the Marine Barracks., Arriving in America from England in 1790, Prout heard rumors that President George Washington would be choosing this area for the new federal city. In 1791 Prout contracted for some 500 acres here from his future father-in-law, Jonathan Slater. Weeks later, Washington announced his selection, and Prout became one of 19 landowners contributing land to the new capital. Like the others, Prout kept some lots to sell, hoping to make a fortune in real estate. , Because the new city developed first to the west of the Capitol, and not in this direction, Prout never did make his fortune in land sales. But unlike many early investors, he did well, setting up a fishery, selling dry goods and bricks, and renting lots. Prout seeded a community, working with partners to build the first Eastern Market (1805) near here at Sixth and L streets, donating land for Christ Church, and serving on the City Council. , Some of the buildings here are from Prout’s time. The unusually tall four-story building behind you at 1003 Eighth Street was built before 1824, as was the two-story, dormered restaurant across the street at 1102. In 1833 the buildings with small attic-level windows were built as dwelling/shops serving the Navy Yard. The others, reflecting Victorian and 20th-century commercial styles, replaced earlier structures.