D.5 - HDP-2019-0714 - 3304 E 17th St.pdf — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION JANUARY 27, 2020 DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS HDP-2019-0714 3304 E 17TH STREET D.5 - 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1965 house. ARCHITECTURE One-story Ranch clad in stone veneer. The house has a side-gabled roof with deep eaves, a covered carport, and half-height aluminum casement windows at the main elevation. RESEARCH The house was built in 1965 for Theodore and Pauline Thompson. Theo “Booster” Thompson worked as a sexton at St. David’s Episcopal Church, and was also a gospel musician for two successful quartets. He sang as a tenor with the Royal Lights Singers, who performed at the first Kerrville Folk Festival alongside headliners from 1972 to 1977, and the Bells of Joy, made famous by radio personality and musician Lavada Durst in the 1940s and ‘50s. The Royal Lights produced two albums with Sonobeat Records before creating their own label, Royal, based in the house next door to Thompson’s. Thompson held multiple offices in the Quartet Association and served as a deacon at Del Valle Missionary Baptist Church, where his wife Pauline also served as deaconess. STAFF COMMENTS Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain high integrity. 3) Properties must meet two historic designation criteria for landmark designation (Land Development Code, Section 25-2-352). The property may demonstrate significance according to one criterion: a) Architecture. The house is constructed with Ranch and Mid-Century Modern stylistic influences. b) Historical association. The house does not appear to meet the criterion for significant historical association; however, the Commission may wish to consider Thompson’s contributions to the Austin gospel music community when evaluating significance. c) Archaeology. The house was not evaluated for its potential to yield significant data concerning the human history or prehistory of the region. d) Community value. The house does not possess a unique location, physical characteristic, or significant feature that contributes to the character, image, or cultural identity of the city, the neighborhood, or a particular demographic group. e) Landscape feature. The property is not a significant natural or designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, cultural, or historical value to the city. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Encourage rehabilitation and adaptive re-use, then relocation over demolition, but release the permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package, consisting of photographs of all elevations, a dimensioned sketch plan, and a narrative history, for archiving at the Austin History Center.  LOCATION MAP D. 5- 2  PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos D. 5- 3 Sources: Realtor.com, 2019; Historic Preservation Office, 2020 D. 5- 4 Occupancy History City Directory Research, Austin History Center, December 2019 1992 Theodore and Pauline Thompson, owners Building superintendent, St. David’s Episcopal Church 1985-86 Theodore and Pauline Thompson, owners Building superintendent, St. David’s Episcopal Church 1981 1977 1973 1968 Theodore and Pauline Thompson, owners Sexton, St. David’s Episcopal Church Theodore and Pauline Thompson, owners Sexton, St. David’s Episcopal Church Theodore and Pauline Thompson, owners Sexton, St. David’s Episcopal Church Theodore and Pauline Thompson, owners Sexton, St. David’s Episcopal Church 1965 Address not listed Biographical Information Obituary for Pauline Thompson, 6-10-2018. Source: https://www.alcbf.com/obituaries/Pauline-Thompson-7/#!/Obituary  D. 5- 5 Obituary for Theo Thompson, 10-6-2016. Source: https://www.alcbf.com/obituaries/Theo- Thompson/#!/Obituary  D. 5- 6 The Austin Statesman; Apr 30, 1973  D. 5- 7 1973 Kerrville Folk Festival schedule. Source: http://www.happenstance-music.com/kff- programs.html 1971 45 single featuring Thompson’s tenor. Source: https://sonobeatrecords.com/royal-lights- singers.html D. 5- 8 45 produced by the Royal Lights Singers’ own label (date unknown) featuring Thompson’s vocals. The label’s address indicates it was based at the house next door to 3304 E 17th. Source: https://www.discogs.com/Royal-Lights-Singers-Come-Out-The-Wildness- /release/9764781 Thompson appears second from left in this photo commemorating the Royal Lights Singers’ 67th anniversary. The group now performs as the Sensational Royal Lights. Source: https://www.gigsalad.com/the_sensational_royal_lights_austin  Building Permits D. 5- 9 Building permit, 10-11-65 Sewer tap permit, 10-12-65 Water tap permit, 10-12-65