D.8.0 - 2108 Woodmont Avenue — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 26, 2021 PR-21-077618 2108 WOODMONT AVENUE D.8 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1947 house. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH PROPERTY EVALUATION One-story, wing-and-gable plan frame cottage with minimal Traditional influences; partial-width inset porch on plain, square wood posts; single 8:8 fenestration. The house was built in 1947 by local contractor Felix Williams; the first occupants were Webb A. and Alma D. Thrower, who lived here until around 1956, when they moved from Austin. Webb A Thrower was a military man, working for the Veterans’ Administration before serving in the U.S. Army. Alma thrower is listed as a saleswoman at Scarbrough’s department store in the mid=1950s while Webb is first listed as in the U.S. Army. The house is located in Tarrytown, which has never been covered by a city survey. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain high integrity. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it may meet the criterion for architecture, it does not meet the second criterion as required by Code. a. Architecture. The building is a good example of post-World War II residential architecture in Austin, relying on traditional design, and is remarkably intact. However, this is a very common house style in many neighborhoods in the city, so this house may not convey sufficient architectural significance to warrant consideration as a historic landmark under this criterion. b. Historical association. The house was the home of a trainer for the Veterans’ Administration during the historic period; there do not appear to be 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 Encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, then relocation over demolition, but release the permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package, consisting of 8.5 x 11 photographs of all elevations, printed on photographic paper, a dimensioned sketch plan, and a narrative history for archiving at the Austin History Center. The house does not meet the criteria for landmark designation. LOCATION MAP D.8 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION 2108 Woodmont Avenue ca. 1947 D.8 – 3 OCCUPANCY HISTORY 2108 Woodmont Avenue City Directory Research, Austin History Center By City Historic Preservation Office June 2021 1959 Dave E. and Ethel Renfro, owners No occupation listed 1957 Vacant NOTE: Webb A. and Alma Thrower are not listed in the directory. 1955 Webb A. and Alma D. Thrower, owners U.S. Army Webb: Saleswoman, E.M. Scarbrough & Sons, department store, 6th Street and Alma: Congress Avenue. Webb A. and Alma Thrower, renters Webb: Alma: Contact representative Veteran’s Administration Saleswoman, Derden Land Webb A. and Alma Thrower, renters Training specialist, Veterans Administration 1952 1949 1947 The address is not listed in the directory. NOTE: Webb A. and Frieda S. Thrower are listed at 408 E. 8th Street. He was employed by the Veterans Administration. D.8 – 4 BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: Webb A. and Alma Thrower (ca. 1947 – ca. 1956) His 1940 World War II draft registration card shows that Webb Alvin Thrower had just moved from 403 E. 8th Street to 901 Bouldin Avenue in Austin. He was born in 1908 in Abilene, Texas, and was employed by the Austin Tribune newspaper. His closest relative was his mother, who lived in Waco. He was 6 feet tall, weighed 155 pounds and had a ruddy complexion with blond hair and blue eyes. The card noted that his lower teeth were irregular. Webb A. Thrower married Alma G. Harrison in Travis County in March, 1947. Webb Alvin Thrower was born in McLennan County, Texas in 1908 and died in El Paso in 1986. Alma Grace Thrower was born in Limestone County, Texas in 1907, and died in 1996 in El Paso. Both are buried in the Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Building permit to local contractor Felix Williams for the construction of this house (1947) Water service permit to local contractor Felix Williams for this house (1947) D.8 – 5 Sewer connection application by contractor Felix Williams for this house (1947) Building permit to Webb Thrower for a rear frame addition (1950)