D.10.0 - 1904 Mountainview Road — original pdf

Backup

HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION JANUARY 25, 2021 DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS PR-20-186435 1904 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD D.10 - 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1949 house. ARCHITECTURE One-story, irregular-plan brick house with a flat roof and metal-framed fenestration in a horizontal 2:2 configuration. The house reflects tenets of the International Style, made popular by the designs of architect Philip Johnson in the 1930s, and featuring a boxy composition, use of rectilinear forms, and a lack of surface ornamentation or decoration, in contrast with the Art Deco and Streamline Moderne styles popular at around the same time. The International Style was generally considered a style for commercial buildings, but there are also examples of the style applied to residential construction. As far as can be determined, this house was not designed by an architect, but constructed for the Acme Brick Company of Austin. RESEARCH This house on Mountainview Road was the last house in Austin owned by Edmond C. and Ruth V. Rather, who lived here from around 1951 at least until Edmond died in 1974. Edmond Rather was born in Kaufman, Texas in either 1897 or 1898 (documentary evidence is conflicting), and moved to Austin at a young age. He married Ruth Vivian Gregory in 1916, and was living on Longfellow Street in the North University neighborhood for a time before moving to a two-story stucco house at 101 Laurel Lane, at the corner of Speedway, in Aldridge Place in the early 1920s. They moved from Laurel Lane to this house, which was described as overlooking Lake Austin, around 1951 and lived here for several decades. E.C. Rather died in 1974; Ruth V. Rather died in 1989. Edmond C. Rather was the general manager of the University Co-Op, established in 1903 by Dr. William Battle, a professor of Greek and the Classics, at the University of Texas, and the namesake for Battle Hall. Rather started working at the Co-Op in 1917 and quickly rose through the ranks, serving as general manager of the store until his retirement in 1965. During that time, the Co-Op grew tremendously and Rather was recognized as a leader in college textbook store circles for his marketing prowess. He broadcast away games from a radio to crowds that would stand in front of the store on Guadalupe Street. He oversaw the expansion of the building to add a second story in the late 1940s. Rather was also very involved with various philanthropic and charitable activities in Austin, including the Ben- Hur Shrine. D.10 - 2 Historic photo of the University Co-Op on Guadalupe Street. He and Ruth had two daughters, Dorothy and Katheryn. Dorothy’s 2004 obituary noted that the family was one of the first in Aldridge Place, “where the family home stands today.” E.C. and Ruth Rather lived on Laurel Lane for about 24 years, and in this house for at least an equal period of time. STAFF COMMENTS The house is beyond the bounds of any City survey to date. Staff has evaluated this house for designation as a historic landmark and has determined that the house may meet the criteria for landmark designation as set forth in City Code: a. Architecture. The house is good and intact example of the International Style applied to residential architecture, with its boxy composition, flat roof, and lack of exterior detailing. It is a relatively modest house, especially in comparison with the family’s former home in Aldridge Place, and unusual for its date of construction and identity as a spec house built by a brick company. The design of this house is noteworthy, and may qualify it for consideration as a historic landmark under the criterion for architecture. b. Historical association. The house is significantly associated with E.C. Rather, the general manager of the University Co-Op, an Austin and University of Texas institution. Rather and his wife Ruth lived here from around 1951 for over 20 years, during which he continued to build the capacity and reputation of the Co-Op to make it the pre-eminent source of college textbooks, college attire, and other merchandise in Austin. Rather was living in this house when he retired from business life in the mid-1960s, after a career of nearly 50 years. In his retirement, he enjoyed golfing and planting azaleas, some of which must surely remain at this house. This house qualifies for consideration as a historic landmark for its associations with E.C. and Ruth Rather, although the Commission should also consider the house at the corner of Laurel Lane and Speedway as another home closely associated with the Rathers for a similar amount of time. The Commission should keep in mind, however, that contributing houses within locally-designated historic districts, such as the Laurel Lane house in Aldridge Place, cannot rely upon the architecture criterion for individual landmark designation. D.10 - 3 The house at 101 Laurel Lane, where E.C. and Ruth Rather lived for more than two decades prior to moving into the Mountainview Road house around 1951 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 the applicant to consider alternatives to demolition, including postponement or initiating a historic zoning case on this house, which appears to have both architectural and historical significance for its associations with Edmond C. and Ruth V. Rather for over 20 years. If the Commission votes to release the permit, then condition that release 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.10 - 4  D.10 - 5 1904 Mountainview Road ca. 1948  D.10 - 6 OCCUPANCY HISTORY 1904 Mountainview Road City Directory Research, Austin History Center By City Historic Preservation Office December, 2020 1959 Edmund C. and Ruth V. Rather, owners General manager, University Co-Operative Society, Inc., 2246 Guadalupe Street. Edmund C. and Ruth V. Rather, owners General manager, University Co-Operative Society, Inc., 2246 Guadalupe Street. Edmund C. and Ruth V. Rather, owners General manager, University Co-Operative Society, Inc., 2246 Guadalupe Street. Edmund C. and Ruth Rather, owners General manager, University Co-Operative Society, Inc., 2246 Guadalupe Street. Vacant NOTE: Edmond C. and Ruth Rather are listed at 101 Laurel Lane; he was the general manager of the University Co-Operative Society, 2246 Guadalupe Street. 1957 1955 1953 1952 1949 The address is not listed in the directory. NOTE: Edmond C. and Ruth Rather are listed at 101 Laurel Lane; he was the general manager of the University Co-Operative Society, 2246 Guadalupe Street. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: Edmund C. and Ruth V. Rather (ca. 1951 – ) Edmond R. Rather married Ruth Vivian Gregory in Travis County, Texas on December 23, 1916. His 1918 World War I draft registration card shows that Edmond C. Rather was living at 2016 Longfellow in Austin. He was born in 1897. He was a stenographer for the University of Texas. His next of kin was his wife, Ruth Vivian Rather. He was of medium height and had a medium build with light hair and blue eyes. The 1920 U.S. Census shows E.C. and Ruth Rather at 2016 Longfellow in Austin; it is not clear if they owned or rented that home. E.C. Rather was 22, had been born in Texas, and was the manager of the University Co-Op. Ruth Rather was also 22, had been born in Texas, and had no occupation listed. They had an infant daughter, Dorothy May, who had been born in Texas E.C. and Ruth V. Rather appear in the 1930 U.S. Census as the owners of the house at 101 Laurel Lane in Austin; the house was worth $10,000. E.C. Rather was 31, had been born in Texas, and was the manager of a book store. Ruth V. Rather was also 31, had been born in Texas, and had no occupation listed. They had 2 daughters: Dorothy, 12; and Katheryn, 9, both of whom had been born in Texas. The Rathers had two male lodgers in their home: Leslie Neill and Lex Neill. Leslie Neill was 25, had been born in Texas and was a salesman for a newspaper. Lex Neil was 19, had been born in Texas and was a salesman in a book store. The 1940 U.S. Census shows Edmond C. and Ruth V. Rather as the owners of the house at 101 Laurel Lane; that house was worth $11,000. Edmond C. Rather was 42, had been born in Texas, and is listed as the manager of a retail book store. Ruth V. Rather was also 42, had been born  D.10 - 7 in Texas, and had no occupation listed. They had a daughter, Katheryn N., 18, who had been born in Texas and had no occupation listed. Edmond C. Rather registered for the draft for World War II in 1942. He was living at 101 Laurel Lane in Austin at that time. He was born in Kaufman, Texas in 1898 and was employed by the University of Texas as the manager of the University Co-Op. He was 5’-6” tall, weighed 175 pounds, and had a ruddy complexion with brown hair and hazel eyes. He had a scar on his neck. His 1974 death certificate shows that Edmond C. Rather was living at this address at the time of his death. He was born in Kaufman County, Texas in 1897, and was the manager of the University Co-Op. He was married, and had lived in Austin for 76 years. Article noting Ed Rather’s election as president of the National Association of College Stores Austin Statesman, May 9, 1944  D.10 - 8 Portion of a society page feature on “modern” grandmothers featuring Ruth Rather Austin American-Statesman, August 5, 1956  D.10 - 9  D.10 - 10 Tribute to E.C. Rather Austin Statesman, April 21, 1960  D.10 - 11 Rather will retire from the University Co-Op Austin American-Statesman, November 15, 1964  D.10 - 12  D.10 - 13  Obituary of E.C. Rather Austin American-Statesman, July 3, 1974 Building permit to the Acme Brick Company, noting J.D. Monk as the contractor, for the construction of this house (1948) D.10 - 14  D.10 - 15 Portion of an article referencing the construction of this house by J.D. Monk, contractor for the Acme Brick Company Austin Statesman, May 5, 1948