C.8.0 - 1504 Westover Rd.pdf — original pdf

Backup

HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JANUARY 25, 2021 HR-2020-181181 1504 WESTOVER ROAD OLD WEST AUSTIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT C.8 - 1 PROPOSAL Replace 21 windows. PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS 1) Remove existing windows. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH 2) Install vinyl and wood composite windows with simulated divided lights. Two-story cross-gabled house clad with rusticated limestone; fenestration includes 6:6 paired and single wood windows. The house at 1504 Westover Rd. was built in 1945 by John Wattinger. Its first occupants were Raymond C. Smith, a dentist, and his wife Perrine. After the Smiths departed between 1949 and 1950, it was briefly rented by Helen and Elmer Patman. Patman worked as an attorney for the Superior Oil Company. In 1954, Cleburne judge Ruel Walker was elected to the Texas Supreme Court, and he and his family moved in to 1504 Westover Rd. by 1955. According to a 2009 Historic Preservation Office zoning change report on the Walkers’ later home on Wooldridge Drive, Ruel Walker was a devoted attorney and University of Texas alumnus who followed in his father’s footsteps: Ruel Walker was originally from Cleburne, Texas, and was the son of William and Nette Walker. Both William and Nette had been born in·Kentucky; William Walker was an attorney in Cleburne. The 1910, 1920, and 1930 U.S. Census reports show the family living in Cleburne and William Walker is listed as an attorney. The 1930 U.S. Census shows Ruel Walker as their unmarried 20·year old son; he had no occupation listed in the census report. Ruel Walker attended Austin College in Sherman, Texas, and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1931. He went on to the U. T. Law School, where he served as editor in chief of the Texas Law Review and graduated with highest honors in 1934. After serving as a legal investigator for Attorney General James Allred, Ruel returned to Cleburne, where he practiced law with his father and uncle for the next 18 years. In 1954, Governor Allan Shivers appointed Ruel Walker to the Texas Supreme Court, where he was noted for his scholarly opinions and served as the Court's authority on matters of civil procedure. He and his family moved to Austin in 1955, first renting a house at 1504 Westover Road. The Walkers purchased [the Wooldridge property] in 1956…. Walker served as an associate justice on the Supreme Court until his retirement in 1976. He also served as the Chairman of the Texas Commission on Higher Education. He died in Austin in 1998. STANDARDS FOR REVIEW The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation are used to evaluate new construction projects in National Register historic districts. Applicable standards include: C.8 - 2 2. The historic character of a property shall be retained and preserved. The removal of historic materials or alteration of features and spaces that characterize a property shall be avoided. The existing divided-light windows will be removed. 6. Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired rather than replaced. Where the severity of deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive feature, the new feature shall match the old in design, color, texture, and other visual qualities and, where possible, materials. Replacement of missing features shall be substantiated by documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence. The proposed replacement windows match the existing in size, but do not match the existing windows in material. More information is needed to determine whether the new windows sufficiently match the profile and visual depth of the existing windows. STAFF COMMENTS The house contributes to the Old West Austin National Register Historic District. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate integrity. 3) Properties must meet two historic designation criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it does not meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building does not appear to be architecturally significant. b. Historical association. The house is associated with Texas Supreme Court Justice Ruel Walker. 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 Postpone the public hearing to the February 22, 2021 meeting to allow applicant to submit more information on replacement window location, profile, and sill repair.  LOCATION MAP C.8 - 3  PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos C.8 - 4 Source: Nicole Kessler Group, https://www.nicolekessler.com/westover-rd C.8 - 5 Source: Nicole Kessler Group, https://www.nicolekessler.com/westover-rd Source: Google Street View, 2020 C.8 - 6 Occupancy History City Directory Research, 2020 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 Biographical Information Ruel C. and Virginia A. Walker, renters Associate Justice, Supreme Court Ruel C. and Virginia A. Walker, renters Associate Justice, Supreme Court Ruel C. and Virginia A. Walker, renters Associate Justice, Supreme Court Elmer and Helen L. Patman, renters Attorney, Superior Oil Raymond C. and Percine V. Smith, owners Dentist, 801 Capital National Bank Bldg. Raymond C. and Percine V. Smith, owners Dentist, 801 Capital National Bank Bldg. Address not listed The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Nov 23, 1951 and Oct 22, 1946  C.8 - 7 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Oct 8, 1945 and Jun 1, 1946 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Oct 19, 1954  C.8 - 8 The Austin American (1914-1973); Feb 20, 1955  C.8 - 9 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Apr 17, 1958  C.8 - 10 The Austin American (1914-1973); Apr 26, 1959 The Austin American (1914-1973); May 29, 1960  C.8 - 11 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Jan 17, 1964 Zoning change review sheet for 2419 Wooldridge, built for the Walkers. The house was not designated a landmark. http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=138629  C.8 - 12 From 2010 historic zoning application for 2419 Wooldridge: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=138629  C.8 - 13 From 2010 historic zoning application for 2419 Wooldridge: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=138629  C.8 - 14  C.8 - 15  Permits C.8 - 16 From 2010 historic zoning application for 2419 Wooldridge: http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=138629 Building permit for garage, 9-11-45 Building permit, 10-51-45  C.8 - 17 Water tap permit, 11-26-45 Sewer tap permit, 11-26-45