D.3 - 815 Rutherford Place and 1204 Alta Vista Avenue — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION AUGUST 24, 2020 DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS HDP-2020-0274 815 RUTHERFORD PLACE AND 1204 ALTA VISTA AVENUE D.3 - 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1930 house at 815 Rutherford Place and a ca. 1948 house at 1204 Alta Vista Avenue. Both houses are on the same lot. ARCHITECTURE The ca. 1930 house at 815 Rutherford Place is a one-story, rectangular-plan, side-gabled, brick veneer Tudor Revival-style house with a central, steep-front-gabled entry bay containing a round-arched door; single and paired 1:1 fenestration. The ca. 1948 house at 1204 Alta Vista Avenue is a one-story, L-plan frame house with a partial-width inset porch. Fenestration consists of single and double 1:1 windows with Colonial Revival-styled 6:6 wooden screens. RESEARCH The house at 815 Rutherford Place was built around 1930 by Fred W. Sassman, the proprietor of a dry-cleaning business who later became a tailor. Fred Sassman and his wife lived in this house until around 1936. The house was vacant for a short period of time before being purchased by attorney John C. Butler and his wife, Ruby. John C. Butler passed away in 1963; Ruby Butler continued to live here after his death (there is a newspaper article dating from 1966 about their son that references this house as their home), but given current limitations on research, it is not possible to determine how much longer Ruby Butler lived in this house. John C. and Ruby Butler built the house at 1204 Alta Vista Avenue on the rear of their lot in 1948, and held it as a rental property. For the first ten years (until about 1958), the house was rented by Clarence and Anna Mae Waters. Clarence Waters was in the food service industry. After returning from duty in World War II, he became a manager of one of Harry Akin’s Night Hawk Restaurants. Immediately after beginning his job with Night Hawk, and before moving into this house, the city directory shows him living at the location of the old Night Hawk at South Congress and Riverside Drive. He and Anna Mae, who worked as a hostess at the Night Hawk, moved into this house, where they lived until around 1958. A newspaper article from 1954 shows Clarence Waters as associated with one of the restaurants in the new Terrace Motor Hotel on South Congress Avenue; by 1957, he was the sales manager for Polar Ice Cream. In his later years, be continued in the food service industry, working as a salesman and district representative for several prepared food companies. STAFF COMMENTS The houses are beyond the scope of the Comprehensive Cultural Resources Survey (1984). Staff has evaluated these houses for designation as a historic landmark and has determined that they do not meet the criteria for landmark designation as set forth in City Code: a. Architecture. The house at 815 Rutherford Place is a good example of Tudor Revival architecture, popular at the time of its ca. 1930 construction date, and may qualify under the architectural criterion for architecture. The house at 1204 Alta Vista Avenue has an almost ranch-style feel to it, but is more in keeping with older wing-and-gable style homes of the early 20th century. The  D.3 - 2 house at 1204 Alta Vista does not appear to meet the criterion for architectural significance. b. Historical association. Neither house has the significant historical associations necessary to meet this criterion. The house at 815 Rutherford Place was associated with the proprietor of a dry-cleaning business and later with an attorney. The house at 1204 Alta Vista Avenue was a rental property with the manager of a popular local restaurant as its principal tenant in the historic period. c. Archaeology. The houses were not evaluated for its potential to yield significant data concerning the human history or prehistory of the region. d. Community value. The houses do 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 for both houses 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. The houses do not meet the criteria for individual designation as historic landmarks.  LOCATION MAP D.3 - 3  815 Rutherford Place ca. 1930 D.3 - 4 OCCUPANCY HISTORY 815 Rutherford Place John C. Butler, owner No occupation listed City Directory Research, Austin History Center By City Historic Preservation Office July, 2020 1959 1958 1957 1955 John C. and Ruby Butler, owners Lawyer, 301 Littlefield Building John C. and Ruby Butler, owners Lawyer, 301-03 Littlefield Building John C. and Ruby H. Butler, owners Lawyer, 301-03 Littlefield Building 1952 1949 1947 John C. and Ruby H. Butler, owners Lawyer John C. and Ruby H. Butler, owners Lawyer, 107½ E. 6th Street, Room 2. John C. and Ruby H. Butler, owners Lawyer, 107½ E. 6th Street D.3 - 5 1944-45 1941 1939 1937 1935 1932-33 1930-31 1929 John C. and Ruby H. Butler, owners Lawyer, 107½ E. 6th Street, Room 2. John C. and Ruby H. Butler, owners Lawyer, 107½ E. 6th Street, Room 5. John C. and Ruby H. Butler, owners Lawyer, 107½ E. 6th Street, Room 5. Vacant NOTE: Fred W. Sassman is listed as a clothes cleaner at 1312 E. 1st Street; his address was listed as 1207 E. 1st Street. Mrs. Ruth M.B. Sassman is listed as a saleswoman at E.M. Scarbrough & Sons, department store, 6th Street and Congress Avenue. She did not have a residential address listed in the directory. Fred W. and Ruth M. Sassman, owners Fred: Clothes cleaner, 1310½ E. 1st Street. Ruth: Employed by F.W. Sassman, clothes cleaner, 1310½ E. 1st Street. Fred W. and Ruth M. Sassman, owners Clothes cleaner, 1310 E. 1st Street Fred W. and Ruth Sassman, owners No occupation listed The address is not listed in the directory. NOTE: Fred W. and Ruth Sassman are listed at 1914 David Street; he was a salesman for Nick Linz, tailor, clothes cleaner, hatter, 611 Congress Avenue. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES Fred W. and Ruth M. Sassman (ca. 1930 – ca. 1936) Fred W. Sassman married Ruth Barnard in Travis County in December, 1925. Fred W. Sassman married Margaret Ruth Marshall in Travis County in June, 1937. The 1930 U.S. Census shows Fred W. and Ruth Sassman as the renters of the house at 1914 David Street in Austin. Fred W. Sassman was 28, had been born in Texas, and was a driver for a pressing shop. Ruth Sassman was 24, had been born in Texas, and had no occupation listed. They had no children listed with them. The 1940 U.S. Census shows Fred W. and Ruth Sassman as the renters of an apartment at 1623 Garden Street in Austin. Fred W. Sassman was 37, had been born in Texas, and was a tailor. Ruth Sassman was 24, had been born in Texas, and had no occupation listed. They had no children listed with them. His 1942 draft registration card shows that Fred William Sassman was living at 2202 Canterbury Street in Austin. He was born in Travis County in 1902 and was self-employed. He was 6’-1½, weighed 210 pounds, and had a sallow complexion with brown hair and blue eyes.  D.3 - 6 Fred William Sassman’s 1978 death certificate shows that he was living at 4515 Gillis Street in Austin at the time of his death. He was born in 1902 in Travis County, and was a dry cleaner. He was married. John C. and Ruby Butler (ca. 1937 – ?) The 1930 U,S. Census shows John C. butler as a roomer in the home of Ellen Reichmann, who rented her home at 309 E. 11th Street in Austin. John C. Butler was 29, had been born in Texas, and was a lawyer. His landlady, Ellen Reichmann, 73, had been born in Texas to German-born parents and had no occupation listed. Mrs. Reichmann had another lodger in her home, Joseph Jayne, 49, a Texas-born insurance agent. John Claude and Ruby Hermon Butler appear in the 1940 U.S. Census as the renters (believed to be a mistake) of this house, which was worth $6,400. John Claude Butler was 39, had been born in Texas, and was a lawyer in private practice. Ruby Butler was 21, had been born in Texas, and had no occupation listed. They had a daughter, Ola Dowell, 1, who had been born in Texas. John Claude Butler’s 1963 death certificate shows that he was living at this address at the time of his death. He was born in Austin in 1900 and was an attorney. He was married.  D.3 - 7 Obituary of John Claude Butler Austin Statesman, March 5, 1963  D.3 - 8 Funeral story for John Claude Butler Austin Statesman, March 7, 1963 Ruby Hermon Butler earned her bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Texas in August, 1965. She married Owen Lloyd Stafford in Travis County in March, 1980. Ruby Butler Stafford was born in 1918 and died in 2005 in Manchaca, Texas. Ruby "Robin" Butler Stafford Ruby "Robin" Butler Stafford, native Austinite, great mom, and wife, born October 27, 1918, to Charles and Annie Riley Hermon, died at Marbridge Villa, Manchaca, Texas, on Saturday, May 14, 2005. Ruby's first marriage to John C. Butler produced one daughter and two sons. Becoming widowed, she met and later married fellow widower, Owen L. Stafford, Ruby was quiet, sincere, and loyal, and all whose lives she touched knew her as a true friend. She attended Austin Public Schools and graduated U.T. Austin in education. She taught school in Edna, Elgin and at Campbell Elementary in Austin. There her students remember her as a strict but fair teacher, who had the best interests of her students at heart. She was a member of First Southern Presbyterian Church until her marriage to Owen in St. George s Episcopal Church, where both maintained active membership for many years. Ruby is survived by husband, Owen L. Stafford; children, Ola Bell and husband, Gerald, John Butler and wife, Mary, and George Butler; grandchildren, Cassie Brown and Tracy Johnson and husband Craig; great-grandson, Reed Johnson; and sister, Hazel Williams. She was preceded in death by her first husband, parents, two brothers, and two sisters. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Friday, May 20, 2005, at St. George's Episcopal Church, 4301 N. IH-35. The family would like to thank the staff at Marbridge Villa for their help and support. Obituary of Ruby Butler Stafford Austin American-Statesman, May 18, 2005  D.3 - 9 Water service permit to Fred W. Sassman for this house (1930) D.3 - 10 1204 Alta Vista Avenue ca. 1948 OCCUPANCY HISTORY 1204 Alta Vista Avenue City Directory Research, Austin History Center By City Historic Preservation Office July, 2020 1959 1957 1955 1952 Milton Patterson, renter Student NOTE: Clarence M. and Anna M. Waters are listed at 4813 Roundup Trail. He was a salesman; she was a clerk at Capital National Bank. Clarence W. and Anna M. Waters, renters Clarence: Anna: Sales manager, Polar Ice Cream, 409 W. 6th Street. Clerk, Capital National Bank, 114 W. 7th Street. Clarence M. and Ann H. Waters, renters Sales manager, Polar Ice Cream, 409 W. 6th Street. Clarence and Anna M. Waters, renters Clarence: Ann M.: Manager (no place of employment listed) Hostess, Night Hawk Shops, restaurants, 336 S. Congress Avenue, and 1907 Guadalupe Street. D.3 - 11 1949 1947 Clarence and Ann M. Waters, renters Clarence: Branch manager, Night Hawk, restaurants, 1907 Guadalupe Street and 336 S. Congress Avenue. Hostess, Night Hawk Ann M: The address is not listed in the directory. NOTE: Clarence and Anna Waters are listed at 336 S. Congress Avenue; he was the manager of the Night Hawk Restaurant at that address. Anna Watters is not listed separately with an occupation. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES Clarence and Anna M. Waters (ca. 1948 – ca. 1958) Clarence Waters appears in the 1930 U.S. Census as the 17-year old son of J.A. and Esther B. Waters, who owned their home in San Benito, Cameron County, Texas. Clarence was the second of the couple’s 3 children listed. His father, J.L., 54, was born in Mississippi to South Carolina- born parents, and was the chief of police for San Benito. His mother, Esther, 53, was born in Mississippi to Mississippi-born parents, and had no occupation listed. Clarence’s older brother, J.L., Jr. 18, was a garage mechanic. His younger sister, Lena Ray, 13, had no occupation listed. Clarence Waters married Anna Mae Hamilton in Travis County in August, 1938. The 1940 U.S. Census shows Clarence M. and Anna M. Waters as the renters of a rear dwelling unit at 2808 East Avenue in Austin. Clarence M. Waters was 27, had been born in Texas, and was the manager of a restaurant. Anna M. Waters was 22, had been born in Texas, and had no occupation listed. They had no children listed with them. His 1940 World War II draft registration card shows Clarence Merrel Waters living at 2808 East Avenue in Austin. He was born in 1913 in Cameron County, Texas, and was employed by Harry Aiken [sic} at Night Hawk No 2, 1907 Guadalupe Street in Austin. His wife’s name was Anna May Waters. He was 6 feet tall, weighed 150 pounds and had a light complexion with blond hair and hazel eyes. He had a scar on the end of the little finger of his right hand and a scar on his left temple. Clarence Waters served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II.  D.3 - 12  D.3 - 13  D.3 - 14 Clarence Waters featured in the Terrace Motor Hotel special section of the Austin American- Statesman, November 7, 1954  D.3 - 15 Clarence Waters is the man on the left in this 1957 photograph.  D.3 - 16  D.3 - 17 Clarence Waters featured in a story on the expansion of Polar Ice Cream Austin Statesman, May 30, 1957 Clarence Waters died in Travis County September 12, 1996. Anna Mae Waters was born in 1917 and died in Travis County in 2015. CLARENCE M. WATERS Clarence M. Waters, age 83, of Austin died Thursday, September 12, 1996. Mr. Waters was born March 13, 1913, in San Benito, Texas, and attended high school there. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1933-1934. In 1934 he moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas, and instead went to work for the Night Hawk Restaurant. He started work at 10 cents per hour and became manager in 1938, the year he married co-worker Anna (Annie) Hamilton. Mr. Waters served in the Army Air Force from 1942-1946 during World War II as a Mess Sergeant. He returned to the Night Hawk Restaurant in 1946 and became a stock owner in 1951. Mr. Waters served as president of the Austin Restaurant Association in 1952. He retired from Night Hawk Restaurants in 1954 and became general sales manager for Taylor Glass at Polar Ice Cream Company in 1955. in 1958 he became a sales representative, traveling the state of Texas for Krim-Ko Corporation, which later became known as National Flavors, then Universal Flavors. In 1967 he became an independent broker and represented several companies such as Sunfilled Orange Juice, Promark Corp., Weight Watchers, Limpert Brothers, and many others. During his working years he served in the Texas Longhorns Association as secretary, vice president, president, and one year as director on D.P.I. Board. He was voted into the Hall of Fame for D.P.I. of Texas, and received a beautiful plaque February 24, 1994.  D.3 - 18 Mr. Waters retired in 1975 to go boating, fishing, hunting, golfing and to enjoy his hobby of woodworking. He spent as much time as possible in Port Isabel, Texas, and going to Mexico with friends. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Anna Mae Waters of Austin; sisters, Willie D. Henry of Weatherford, Louise Norman of Waco, and Lena Raye Carmen and husband, Paul E. of Nashville, Tennessee; brother-in-law, Horace B. Hamilton and wife Virginia of Caldwell; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. The family will receive friends from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday, September 13, 1996, at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 14, 1996, at Harrell Funeral Home Chapel in Austin. Interment in Capital Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Dick Polk, Delbert McKenzie, Wiley Pope, Jay McKinnon, John Bowen and Doc Kunze. Obituary of Clarence Waters Austin American-Statesman, September 13, 1996 WATERS, Anna Mae Hamilton ANNA MAE HAMILTON WATERS, formerly of Austin, peaceably went to the arms of her loving Savior on Monday, January 26, 2015, at the age of 97 years. For the past several years, she enjoyed living with compassionate and gentle friends at the Burleson St. Joseph Manor in Caldwell, Texas. She was born in Leander, Texas, to Horace and Nettie Mae Pope Hamilton. Both parents preceded her in death, as well as her devoted husband of 58 years, Clarence Merrel Waters, and sisters Billie Lou Hamilton and Bessie B. Ludvigsen. Anna Mae is survived by her brother Horace Hamilton and his wife Virginia of Caldwell, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful friends. Anna Mae grew up on farms and in small towns throughout Texas, and her parents eventually settled in Austin. After Austin High School, she worked for Renfro Drug Co. and later the renown Night Hawk Restaurant. Anna Mae met the love of her life, Clarence Waters, at the Night Hawk Restaurant and they married before Clarence joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. They made their main home in Austin and enjoyed extensive travel to the Texas Rio Grande valley and all across the U.S. and Internationally. They enjoyed the companionship of MANY wonderful and dear friends. She was a member of Southwest Church of Christ in Austin. The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 29- 2015, at Harrell Funeral Home, 4435 Frontier Trail, Austin, Texas. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday at Harrell Funeral Home followed by a private interment at Cook-Walden Capital Parks, Pflugerville, Texas. Our love goes with her, always, and she will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Southwest Church of Christ, 8900 Manchaca Road, Austin, Texas 78748, or a favorite charity. Obituary of Anna Mae Waters Austin American-Statesman, January 27, 2015  D.3 - 19 Building permit to John C. Butler, the owner of the house at 815 Rutherford Place, for the construction of this house (1948) Water service permit to John C. Butler for this house (1948)