D.1 - 601 W. 26th Street — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION MAY 18, 2020 DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS HDP-2020-0095 601 W. 26TH STREET D.1 - 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1890 commercial building. ARCHITECTURE Two-story, rectangular-plan brick commercial building with a decorated cornice; it appears that the ground -floor storefronts have been filled in with masonry; modern replacement windows and doors. RESEARCH The building appears to date from ca. 1890, when Carl Beryman opened a neighborhood store here. Before constructing this building for his store and upstairs residence, Beryman lived just to the south of the current building, and had his store at 325-27 Congress Avenue. His was a variety store, selling dry goods, furnishing goods, boots, shoes, hats, notions, groceries, and feed; he was also an agent for several steamship lines. Around 1904, he brought in his son, also named Carl, and changed the name of the business to C.W. Beryman and Sons. They listed fewer wares in their city directory listings after 1908, concentrating on dry goods and groceries. Around 1913, they listed their business as “general merchandise” after the elder Carl Beryman passed away in 1912. His obituary notes that he was a Swedish immigrant who had been in business in Austin for many years and very well-respected. His son, Carl E. Beryman, took over the store after his father’s death, and operated it out of this building until around 1915. A succession of owners of grocery businesses occupied this building, some living upstairs, until around 1919, when W.M. Powell opened the Powell Quality Grocery, in business until around 1926. After a short period of vacancy, there was another succession of grocery stores; around 1938, the building became Fowler’s Food Store, in business until the mid-1950s, the last commercial enterprise in this building. Carl and Marietta Fowler also had a café, and lived upstairs. Around 1955, the building was converted to four apartments. It is believed that the infill of the ground floor storefronts occurred at that time. An undated, but believed to be early 1960s photograph at the Austin History center shows the current appearance of the building. This building has a very unusual and tragic history – two of the owners of stores in this building died from exposure. Carl E. Beryman died in record cold weather in 1949; Carl L. Fowler wandered into a field in 1957 and froze to death. STAFF COMMENTS The building was listed as a Priority 2 for research in the Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey (1984). The Commission postponed this case at its April 27, 2020 meeting to obtain more information about the history and appearance of the building. Staff has included the ca. 1965 photograph from the Austin History Center to show that the building had the same appearance then as it does today, but no other information has been located.  D.1 - 2 ca. 1965 photograph of the Nueces Street elevation of the building The building currently has four apartments in it; the proposed new structure on this site will have 22 SMART housing units (out of 215). The four units in the building currently exceed the 2019 affordable rent figure. Staff has evaluated this building for designation as a historic landmark and has determined that the building does not meet the criteria for landmark designation as set forth in City Code: a. Architecture. The building is a two-story vernacular brick commercial building with little architectural distinction. The ground floor of the building has been modified significantly with the infill of what is supposed to be commercial storefronts for the grocery businesses that occupied the building. The modification of this building has compromised its integrity of materials, design, and feeling, so that it no longer reads as a retain grocery store. b. Historical association. The building was constructed as a grocery store with upstairs living quarters, reflecting a typical pattern at the turn of, and during the early 20th century. There do not appear to be significant historical  D.1 - 3 associations with any of the families who owned the grocery businesses in this building. c. Archaeology. The building was not evaluated for its potential to yield significant data concerning the human history or prehistory of the region. d. Community value. The building was a neighborhood grocery store, and as such, could 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 of the building, using physical evidence to guide any restoration; this ca. 1890 building appears to be structurally sound and should be considered for a return to its original purpose – a neighborhood grocery store. However, in its current state of modification, it no longer retains the requisite architectural integrity to qualify as a historic landmark. Starr recommends the 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.1 - 4  D.1 - 5 601 W. 26th Street ca. 1890  D.1 - 6 OCCUPANCY HISTORY 601 W. 26th Street Vacant Neil Orman, renter Student Paul W. Schroeder, renter No occupation listed Paja Ghosh, renter No occupation listed NOTE: The directory indicates that Paja Ghosh was a new Greg Kent, renter No occupation listed NOTE: The directory indicates that Greg Kent was a new resident Joseph F. Cahill, renter No occupation listed NOTE: The directory indicates that Joseph F. Cahill was a new Frederick J. Moran, renter No occupation listed NOTE: The directory indicates that Frederick J. Moran was a new A: B: C: D: resident at this address. City Directory Research, Austin History Center By City Historic Preservation Office March, 2020 1992 1987 1981 1977 A: at this address. B: resident at this address. C: resident at this address. D: Vacant No return Vacant No return A: B: C: D: Vacant 1973 A: B: C: Davis K. Webb, renter Student William J. Bourland, renter Student Mary M. Moore, renter Leslie Carpenter, renter Student Gerald and Joan Thornton, renters No occupation listed Glenn Dunlap, renter No occupation listed NOTE: The directory indicates that Glenn Dunlap was a new resident at this address. M.J. Austin, renter No occupation listed NOTE: The directory indicates that M.J. Austin was a new resident at this A: B: C: D: address. D.1 - 7 D: A: B: C: D: A: B: C: D: A: B: C: D: 1968 1965 1961 1959 1957 1954 1952 1949 Teaching assistant, University of Texas Rick Bell, renter Student Vacant Robert H. Ryan, renter Instructor, University of Texas Vacant Vacant Jack M. and J. Ann McGinnis, renters Jack: J. Ann: Student Employed by the public schools James D. Mueller, renter Cattle buyer William H. Luedecke, III, renter Student Paul Salzberger, renter Student William Stelfox, renter Student Ruth Newton, renter No occupation listed Jerald R. Senter, renter Physician No occupation listed Salesperson, Hemphill Book Store No. 2, 2501 Guadalupe Street. Marvy and Joan Finger, renters Marvy: Joan: F.J, Jr. and June E. Dyke, renters No occupation listed Mabel M. Davis, renter Widow, F.W. Davis No occupation listed Donald E. and Barbara B. Chandler, renters Donald: Barbara: Southwest, 109 Perry-Brooks Building. No occupation listed Office secretary, Clay Products Association of the Fowler’s Food Store Carl L. and Marietta Fowler, proprietors NOTE: The address is listed as 2516 Nueces Street. NOTE: Carl L. and Marietta Fowler lived at 2516½ Nueces Street. Fowler’s Food Store Carl L. and Marietta Fowler, proprietors NOTE: The address is listed as 2516 Nueces Street. NOTE: Carl L. and Marietta Fowler lived at 2516½ Nueces Street. Fowler’s Food Store D.1 - 8 1947 1944-45 1941 1939 1935 1932-33 1930-31 of 2510 Nueces Street 1929 1927 1924 Carl L. and Marietta Fowler, proprietors NOTE: The address is listed as 2516 Nueces Street. NOTE: Carl L. and Marietta Fowler lived at 2516½ Nueces Street. Fowler’s Food Store Carl L. and Marietta Fowler, proprietors NOTE: The address is listed as 2516 Nueces Street. NOTE: Carl L. and Marietta Fowler lived at 2516½ Nueces Street. Fowler’s Food Store Carl L. and Marietta Fowler, proprietors NOTE: The address is listed as 2516 Nueces Street. NOTE: Carl L. and Marietta Fowler lived at 2516½ Nueces Street. Fowler’s Food Store Carl L. and Marietta Fowler, proprietors NOTE: The address is listed as 2516 Nueces Street. NOTE: Carl L. and Marietta Fowler lived at 2516½ Nueces Street. NOTE: The Fowlers also ran Fowler’s Café at 603 W. 26th Street. Fowler’s Food Store Carl L. and Marietta Fowler, proprietors NOTE: The address is listed as 2516 Nueces Street. NOTE: Carl L. and Marietta Fowler lived at 2516½ Nueces Street. NOTE: The Fowlers also ran Fowler’s Café at 603 W. 26th Street. Lay’s Grocery Harold O. Lay, proprietor NOTE: The address is listed as 2516 Nueces Street. NOTE: Harold O. and Vera Lay lived at 2516½ Nueces Street. NOTE: Carl L. and Marietta Fowler are not listed in the directory. Lay’s Grocery Harold O. Lay, proprietor NOTE: The address is listed as 2516 Nueces Street. NOTE: Harold O. and Vera Lay are also listed at 2516 Nueces Street. Blue Bonnet Grocery Martin L. and Mary A. Bowdoin, proprietors NOTE: The address is listed as 2516 Nueces Street, with an old address NOTE: Martin L. and Mary A. Bowdoin are listed at 2516 Nueces Street. Bluebonnet Grocery Mary A. Bowdoin, proprietor NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. NOTE: Martin L. and Mary A. Bowdoin are listed at 2510 Nueces Street; he was an auto mechanic. Vacant NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. Powell’s Quality Grocery William M Powell, Jr., proprietor  1922 1920 1918 1916 1914 1912-13 1910-11 1909-10 1905 D.1 - 9 NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. NOTE: William M, Jr. and Annie Powell lived at 2906 Rio Grande Street. Powell’s Quality Grocery William M. Powell, proprietor NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. NOTE: William M. and Annie Powell lived at 2906 Rio Grande Street; they also had a grocery and restaurant at 213 E. 5th Street. renters and neither had an occupation shown in the directory. Also listed at 2510 Nueces was Samuel G. and Emma Cross. They were Powell, proprietors W.M. Powell and Sons Grocery Wilburn M., Wilburn M., Jr. John B., William M., Elisha J. and Charles H. NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. NOTE: Powell and Sons also had a grocery store at 213 E. 5th Street. NOTE: The address of 601 W. 26th Street is not listed in the directory. Doole and Sons Grocery John S., Charles Y, and David Doole, Jr., proprietors NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. All of the Doole family also had residential addresses of 2510 Nueces Street. Philippus and Hunter, groceries Henry Philippus and James T. Hunter, proprietors Fancy and staple groceries, poultry, cigars and tobacco NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. Carl J. Berryman, groceries NOTE: Carl J. Berryman also lived on the premises. NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. C.W. Beryman & Son, general merchandise Carl J. Beryman, proprietor Groceries and notions NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. C.W. Beryman & Sons, groceries and dry goods Carl W. and Carl J. Beryman, proprietors NOTE: Both Carl W. and Carl J. Beryman also lived on the premises. NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. C.W. Beryman & Sons, dry goods and groceries Carl W. and Carl J. Beryman, proprietors NOTE: Both Carl W. and Carl J. Beryman also lived on the premises. NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. C.W. Beryman & Sons, groceries and dry goods Charles T. Beryman, proprietor NOTE: The address is listed as 2610 Nueces Street. NOTE: Charles T. Beryman lived on the premises. NOTE: Carl J. Beryman is listed as a clerk in the store; he also lived on- site.  D.1 - 10 Carl W. Beryman Dry goods, furnishing goods, notions, boots, shoes, hats, groceries, feed, Carl W. Beryman Dry goods, furnishing goods, notions, boots, shoes, hats, groceries, feed, Carl W. Beryman Dry goods, furnishing goods, notions, boots, shoes, hats, groceries, feed, Carl W. Beryman Dry goods, furnishing goods, notions, boots, shoes, hats, groceries, feed, Carl W. Beryman Dry goods, furnishing goods, notions, boots, shoes, hats, groceries, feed, 1900-01 agent for Shite Star, American, and Cunard steamship lines. NOTE: Carl W. Beryman also lived on the premises. NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. 1898-99 agent for Shite Star, American, and Cunard steamship lines. NOTE: Carl W. Beryman also lived on the premises. NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. 1897-98 agent for Shite Star, American, and Cunard steamship lines. NOTE: Carl W. Beryman also lived on the premises. NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. 1895-96 agent for Shite Star, American, and Cunard steamship lines. NOTE: Carl W. Beryman also lived on the premises. NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. 1893-94 agent for Shite Star, American, and Cunard steamship lines. NOTE: Carl W. Beryman also lived on the premises. NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. 1891-92 agent for Shite Star, American, and Cunard steamship lines. NOTE: Carl W. Beryman also lived on the premises. NOTE: The address is listed as 2510 Nueces Street. 1889-90 Street. He had a shop at 325-27 Congress Avenue, selling dry goods, notions, boots shoes, groceries, feed, and was an agent for the White Star, Inman, and North German-Lloyd steamship lines. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: C.W. Beryman; Carl E. Beryman (ca. 1890 – ca. 1915) Carl W. Beryman was born in Sweden in 1838 and died in Austin in 1912. His death certificate shows that he was living at this address, and was a merchant. Carl E. Beryman, who took over the business after his father’s death, died of exposure on a bitterly cold night in 1949 when he left a private mental hospital. The 1910 U.S. Census shows C.W. Beryman living at 2510 Nueces Street. He was 71, had been born in Sweden, and was a merchant with his own store. With him lived his 30-uear old son, Carl G. Beryman, who was a clerk for his father (and died in 1928). Carl E. Beryman, who took over the business after this father’s death is not listed with them in the census report. Carl W. Beryman Dry goods, furnishing goods, notions, boots, shoes, hats, groceries, feed, Unknown NOTE: Carl W. Beryman had a residential address of 2508 Nueces  D.1 - 11 Notice of C.W. Beryman’s business move from 325-27 Congress Avenue to the current building. Austin Daily Statesman, May 1, 1890 Description of Beryman’s business and building Austin Daily Statesman (Business Edition), March 22, 1894  D.1 - 12 Obituary of Carl W. Beryman Austin Daily Statesman, March 7, 1912  D.1 - 13 News story on the death of Carl E. Beryman Austin Statesman, January 31, 1949 Carl L. and Marietta Fowler (ca. 1938 – ca. 1955) The 1940 U.S. Census shows Carl L. and Marietta Fowler as renters at this address (listed as 2516 Nueces Street). Carl L. Fowler was 48, had been born in North Carolina, and was the owner and manager of a retail grocery store. Marietta Fowler was 39, had been born in Texas, and had no occupation listed. They had no children listed with them. The Fowlers lived in Abilene, Texas in 1935. Carl L. Fowler died in 1957; Marietta Fowler died in 1967.  D.1 - 14 Ad for local Leonard East’s frozen chickens and the stores where it was available. Fowler’s Food Store is listed second from the bottom in the left column. Austin Statesman, January 27, 1949  D.1 - 15  D.1 - 16 News story on the disappearance of Carl L. Fowler Austin Statesman, November 25, 1957  D.1 - 17  D.1 - 18  D.1 - 19 Story on the death of Carl L. Fowler Austin Statesman, December 20, 1957  D.1 - 20 Obituary of Marietta Fowler Austin Statesman, May 19, 1967 D.1 - 21 The 1935 Sanborn map shows the building as a 2-story restaurant and store with an old address of 2510 Nueces and a new address of 2516 Nueces Street. The store has a wraparound awning at the corner of 26h and Nueces Streets. The 1961 Sanborn map shows the two-story building at the corner with the addresses of 2516 Nueces Street and 601 W. 26th Street. The awning shown on the 1935 map above is no longer depicted.