D.3.2 - 1611 Canterbury - Historic Report — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JUNE 28, 2021 PR-2021-066307 1611 CANTERBURY STREET D.3 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1904 house. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH One-story, wing-and-gable plan, frame house with a partial-width independent porch on ornamental metal posts; front door with a transom; single 1:1 fenestration; synthetic siding. The house appears to have been built around 1904 for Nathaniel Hessey, a pioneer merchant and jeweler in Austin. Hessey worked for John A. Jackson, a jeweler and silversmith at the time he first appears in city directories at this address. From 1904 until his death in 1908, he is listed as a pawnbroker and jeweler. His wife, Tennie, then continued to reside in this house, but also is listed at 2309 San Antonio Street, a house where she also took in boarders. Tennie Hessey resided here sporadically, more constantly in her later years; she died in 1949. Tennie Hessey’s daughter, Helen Duval, is also listed at this address in her mother’s later years. She was married to Easton Duval, a design engineer for the highway department. In the late 1950s, the family sold the house to Frank and Pauline Casarez, who lived here at least through the early 1990s. Frank Casarez was an optician for Dickinson Optical for many years. STAFF COMMENTS The East Austin Historic Resources Survey (2016) recommends this house as contributing to a potential local or NR historic district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain high integrity with the exception of the siding, doors, and windows. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined it may meet the criterion for architectural significance but does not meet any other criterion squarely. a. Architecture. The house represents a residential type that once was common in middle-class Austin neighborhoods at the turn of the century, but has become rare with time and development. This house has lost its integrity of materials over the years, but has the potential for restoration, as all of its architectural elements remain intact; the house has architectural significance in that it is an increasingly rare example of its type. b. Historical association. The house does not have the required historical associations necessary for designation as a historic landmark. The house first associated with an early jeweler and pawnbroker; after his death, his widow occupied the house until her death some 40 years later, but also lived in another house and rented this house out. The house does not meet the criterion for significant historical associations. c. Archaeology. The property was not evaluated for its potential to yield significant data concerning the human history or prehistory of the region. d. Community value. The property 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 Strongly encourage rehabilitation or relocation 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, prior to permit issuance. LOCATION MAP D.3 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION 1611 Canterbury Street ca. 1904 D.3 – 3 OCCUPANCY HISTORY 1611 Canterbury Street Frank R. and Pauline R. Casarez, owners Retired Frank R. and Pauline R. Casarez, owners Optician, Dickinson Optical (multiple locations) Frank and Pauline R. Casarez, owners Optician, Dickinson Optical Company (multiple locations) Frank and Pauline Casarez, owners Optician, Dickinson Optical, 115 W. 7th Street. City Directory Research, Austin History Center By City Historic Preservation Office January, 2013 1992 1985-86 1981 1977 1973 1968 1962 R. Frank and Pauline R. Casarez, owners Optician, Dickinson Optical, 1301 W. 38th Street. R. Frank and Pauline Casarez, owners Optician, Dickinson Optical, 113 W. 7th Street. R. Frank and Pauline Casarez, owners Optician, Dickinson Optical, 115 W. 7th Street and 1301 W. 38th Street.  1959 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944-45 1941 1939 1937 1935 R. Frank and Pauline R. Casarez, owners Optician, Dickinson Optical, 115 W. 7th Street. NOTE: The 1958 city directory shows Francisco and Paulina R. Casarez at 1105 E. 9th Street; he was an optician at Dickinson Optical, 115 W. 7th Street. NOTE: Easton and Helen Duval are listed at this address in the 1958 city directory. He was a design engineer for the State Highway Department. D.3 – 4 Easton W. Duvall, owner Designing engineer, State Highway Department Easton W. and Helen Duval, renters Engineer, State Highway Department Tennie Hessey, owner Widow, Willard Hessey No occupation listed Easton W. and Helen Duval, renters Designing engineer, State Highway Department Tennie Hessey, owner Widow, Nathan H. Hessey No occupation listed Easton W. and Helen M. Duval, renters Survey engineer, State Highway Department Tennie Hessey, owner Widow, Nathan Hessey No occupation listed Easton W. and Helen M. Duval, renters Office engineer, State Highway Department Also listed is Easton W. Duval, Jr., no occupation shown. Tennie Hessey, owner Widow, M.H. Hessey No occupation listed Easton W. and Helen Duval, renters Engineer, State Highway Department Solomon W. and Donna Cox, renters Barber, 112 W. 5th Street. NOTE: Tennie Hessey, the widow of Nathan H. Hessey, is listed at 2309 San Antonio Street; she had no occupation shown. Easton W. and Helen J. Duval are also listed at 2309 San Antonio Street. He was an engineer for the State Highway Department. Helen J. Duval was the daughter of Nathaniel and Tennie Hessey. S.L. and Lula Johnson, renters Salesman, Sani-Products of Texas, potato chips, 810 W. 5th Street. Harlie and Mondra Barnard, renters Baker Theo and Nelda Schroeder, renters Baker, Kohn’s Bon Ton Baking Company, 1307-09 Lavaca Street. John M. and Lora Blandino, renters John: Lora: Waiter, Looke’s Café, 813-15 Congress Avenue. Waitress, Austin Hotel Coffee Shop, 705-07 Congress Avenue. D.3 – 5 Sid E. and Esther Eves, renters No occupation listed Jack and Signa Jones, renters Car inspector James R. and Eva Harrell, renters Carpenter James R. and Eva Harrell, renters Carpenter Tennie Hessey, owner Widow, N.H. Hessey Librarian, Christian Science Reading Room, 514 Littlefield Building. Robert and Mary Underwood, renters Switchman, International and Great Northern Railroad NOTE: Tennie Hessey is listed at 2309 San Antonio Street; she had no occupation shown. Jesse W. and Catherine White, renters Carpenter Tennie Hessey, owner Widow, Nathan H. Hessey No occupation listed Also listed is Helen Hessey, no occupation shown. 1932-33 1930-31 1929 1927 1924 1922 1920 1918 1916 1914 1912-13 1910-11 1909-10 Tennie Hessey Widow, Nathan H. Hessey No occupation listed Tennie Hessey Widow, N.H. Hessey No occupation listed Tennie Hessey Widow, N.H. Hessey No occupation listed Tennie Hessey Widow, N.H. Hessey No occupation listed Nathaniel H. Hessey Jeweler 1906-07 1905 1903-04 Nathaniel H. Hessey Proprietor (with F.H. Smith), Hessey & Company, pawnbrokers, 613 Congress Avenue. Nathaniel H. Hessey Proprietor (with F.H. Smith), Hessey & Company, pawnbrokers, 613 Congress Avenue. D.3 – 6 Unknown NOTE: Nathaniel Hessey Is listed at 809 E. 14th Street. He was a clerk for John A Jackson, collateral broker, jeweler, dealer in diamonds, silverware, musical instruments, 619 Congress Avenue. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: Nathaniel and Tennie Hessey (ca. 1904 – ca. 1949) The 1910 U.S. Census shows Tenny Hessy at this address. She was a 41-year old Arkansas-born widow with her own income. With her lived her daughter, Helen, 10, who had been born in Texas; and her mother, Virginia Greathouse, an 81-year old Tennessee-born widow with no occupation listed. The 1940 U.S. Census shows Tennie Hessey as the owner of this house, which was worth $2,700. She was a 71-year old Arkansas-born widow with no occupation listed. With her lived her daughter, Helen May Duval, and Helen May’s husband, Easton W. Duval. Easton W. Duval was 44, had been born in Louisiana, and was an engineer for the State Highway Department. Helen May Duval was 40, had been born in Texas, and had no occupation listed. They had a son, Billy, 18, who had been born in Texas and had no occupation listed. According to her 1949 death certificate, Tennie A. Greathouse Hessey was living at this house when she died. She had been born in January , 1869 in Mineral Spring, Arkansas and was a homemaker. D.3 – 7 D.3 – 8 Story of the death of Nathaniel Hessey Austin Daily Statesman, April 17, 1908 D.3 – 9 Obituary of Tennie Hessey Austin American, August 13, 1949 Story on the funeral of Tennie Hessey Austin American-Statesman, August 14, 1949 Census listings for Tennie Hessey while living on San Antonio Street: The 1930 U.S. Census shows Tennie Hessey as the owner of the house at 2309 San Antonio Street, which was worth $15,000. She was a 61-year old Arkansas-born widow who is listed as a homemaker. With her lived her daughter, Henrietta Duval, 30, and Henrietta’s husband, E. William Duval, 35, a Louisiana-born draftsman for the State Highway Department, along with their son, E. William Duval, Jr., 8. Mrs. Hessey had 2 lodgers: Eva Evans, 28, a Texas-born stenographer for an insurance company; and Hughes Isaac, 69, who had been born in Kentucky and had no occupation listed. The 1920 U.S. Census shows Tennie Hessey and her daughter, Helen, at 2309 San Antonio Street. Tennie Hessey was a 50-year old Arkansas-born widow who was the proprietor of a rooming house. Helen Hessey was 21 and had no occupation listed. Renters listed in census reports in between the occupancy of Tennie Hessie: D.3 – 10 The 1920 U.S. Census shows J.W. and Mary C. White as the renters of this house. J.W. White was 53, had been born in Indiana, and was a carpenter for the railroad. Mary C. White was 55, had been born in Indiana, and had no occupation listed. The 1930 U.S. Census shows Robert and Eva Harrell as the renters of this house. Robert Harrell was 50, had been born in Texas, and was a carpenter for a building contractor. Eva Harrell was 41, had been born in Texas, and had no occupation listed. They had no children listed with them. The 1940 U.S. Census shows Solly and Dona Cox living with their daughter, Zula Johnson, in a rented house at 502 E. 2nd Street in Austin. Solly Cox was 57, had been born in Texas, and was the proprietor of a barber shop. Dona Cox was 53, had been born in Texas, and had no occupation listed. Their daughter, Zula Johnson, was 21 and had no occupation listed. She had a 3-year old son, Stanley. Also in the household was Solly’s son, Solly Cox, Jr., 12. The household also included lodgers: George A. Priest, Jr., 28, and his wife, Viola Priest, 22. George A. Priest, Jr. was a Texas-born café manager; Viola Priest was a café waitress. Easton William Duval (son-in-law of Tennie Hessey: His 1917 World War I draft registration card shows that Easton William Duval was born in 1896 in Houma, Louisiana. He lived on Route 5 in Austin and was a student at the officer’s Training Camp at Fort Funston, Leon Springs, Texas, where he was a private. He was single, of medium build and height, with blue eyes and light hair. Easton Duval, Jr. was born June 20, 1921 and was killed in action in World War II on May 31, 1944. He was in the 15th Air Force Regiment in Barri, Italy. Frank and Pauline Casarez (ca. 1958 – ca. 2002) Pauline R. Casarez, age 71, of Austin, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, October 27, 2002. She was preceded in death by her husband, Francisco R. Casarez; her parents, Jose and Anselma Rodriguez; two brothers, Eusebio and Estanislado Rodriguez; and two sisters, Guadalupe Osorio and Ramona Castillo. Survivors include: beloved children; Jesse (Pato) Casarez and wife, Donna, Steve Casarez and wife, Sylvia, Cecilia C. Luna and husband, Ricardo, Grace Heatley and husband, Gene, Ana M. Martinez and husband, Roland, Vangie Cerda and husband, Frank and Amalia (Molly) Ramirez, all of Austin; two brothers, Jose M. Rodriguez of Austin, Ricardo Rodriguez of Los Angeles, Calif., one sister; Andrea Rodriguez of Austin. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and especially close family friends, Martin Orta, Jr., Mrs. Senaida Mokarzel, Jose and Socorro Bernal, and Clem and Trinie Cortez. Recitation of holy rosary will be on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Rev. Fr. J.C. Cain, O.M.I. will officiate. Committal services will follow at Capital Memorial Park Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas. The Casarez family would like to express their gratitude and thanks to the staff of Shivers Cancer Center and Hospice Austin for their special care given to our mother. Serving as pallbearers are Eugene (Trey) Heatley, Joe A. Heatley, Antonio F. Luna, Steve Casarez, Jr., Rene Castro, and Michael Castro. Honorary pallbearers are Daniel A. Ramirez and Andrew Ryan Cerda. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice Austin, 2820 E. M.L.K., Austin, Texas 78702; or to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1206 E. 9th St., Austin, Texas 78702. Arrangements entrusted to Mission Funeral Home, 1615 E. Cesar Chavez, (512) 476-4355. Obituary of Pauline Casarez Austin American-Statesman, October 29, 2002