D.4.0 - 1304 Lavaca Street — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 26, 2021 DA-2021-080252; GF-2021-103623 1304 LAVACA STREET D.4 – 1 PROPOSAL ARCHITECTURE Demolish a ca. 1880 and a ca. 1965 building. One-story side-gabled building with multiple alterations and additions. The core of the building appears to be a masonry center-passage plan house. The masonry is plastered on the north elevation, and an early frame addition forms the south elevation. Both gable ends have knee braces and notched bargeboards characteristic of the Craftsman style. The front porch is fully enclosed, with brick infill at each end and glass storefronts spanning between chamfered posts with Folk Victorian scrollwork. Two brick chimneys pierce the front roofline in front of a two-story asbestos-clad addition that straddles the ridge of the side-gabled roof. Behind this building is a two-story, utilitarian building constructed of concrete block. RESEARCH The date of the front building is unclear. In the Historic Resources Survey for Old Austin Neighborhood Association, HHM, Inc. concludes the building is a store constructed ca. 1930, based on an in-field estimate and Sanborn fire insurance maps. Staff finds that the building may be far older. Sanborn maps show a one-story masonry dwelling with a full-width porch and a frame addition to the south side from 1885–1900. In 1935, an additional one-story frame portion has been constructed to the west (rear). The map updated through 1961 shows multiple modifications: the building is used as a store, the porch is partially infilled with a frame addition at the north end and a masonry addition at the south end, and a two-story tile and asbestos-clad addition has been built at the rear. Throughout each of these changes, a central masonry core is shown in roughly the same size and configuration, and elements such as the porch and frame addition at the side are consistent. When paired with an occupancy history extending back to 1881, this leads to the ca. 1880 estimate used in this report. The Keye family had a longstanding relationship with the house, with various members of the family in residence between 1881 and 1952. The patriarch of the family, William Keye (1825–1915), was born in Hanover, Germany. After immigrating to the U.S. in the 1840s, he lived in New York, Iowa, and Missouri, California, and Nevada before moving to Austin in the 1870s. In 1873, he married Mary Mier/Meyer, also a German immigrant. A masonry contractor and brick manufacturer, William Keye contributed to the construction of multiple institutional buildings, including the former main buildings of Texas A&M and the University of Texas and buildings at the Texas School for the Deaf and Austin State Hospital. He was a member of the Odd Fellows for over 63 years. Multiple family members lived in the house over the years, including Frank M. Keye, a saddler, and Henry Keye, a cigarmaker. William Keye’s children, who continued to live in the house after his death, were Mary/Mamie Keye; William Keye, Jr., a carpenter; and stepdaughters Susie Meyer and Kate Groos. The Country Store Art Gallery took over ownership of the building and converted it from residential use around 1955. The gallery exhibited, represented, and sold the work of many prominent artists and was best known for American landscape painters such as Andrew Wyeth, C.M. Russell, Melvin Warren, and Porfiro Salinas. The gallery’s framing shop made a practice of employing deaf workers for framing and art conservation. PROPERTY EVALUATION The Historic Resources Survey for Old Austin Neighborhood Association (HHM, Inc., 2020) lists both buildings as ineligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or landmark designation. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The buildings are more than 50 years old. 2) The buildings appear to retain low integrity. 3) Properties must meet two 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 front building has multiple modifications and thus does not convey architectural significance. The Country Store Art Gallery was responsible for many of the changes, but as a result, the building no longer D.4 – 2 represents a recognized architectural style or type, nor does it display high artistic value. The rear building lacks distinguishing characteristics of a style, type, or method of construction. b. Historical association. The property may have significant historical associations with German immigrant and mason William Keye and his family. Additionally, the Country Store Art Gallery exhibited nationally and internationally acclaimed artists and provided an avenue for representation and sales for local artists. 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. Code enforcement sent a notice of violation for the property on June 17, 2021, due to deterioration of the roof, cornices, fascia, soffit, and trim on the front building. STAFF RECOMMENDATION 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. LOCATION MAP D.4 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos D.4 – 4 D.4 – 5 D.4 – 6 D.4 – 7 D.4 – 8 HHM, Inc., Historic Resources Survey for Old Austin Neighborhood Association, 2019 D.4 – 9 Occupancy History City Directory Research, 2021 The Country Store Art Gallery The Country Store Art Gallery The Country Store Art Gallery William J. Keye, owner Occupation not listed 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 1937 1935 1932 1929 1927 1939 Susie Meyer, owner Occupation not listed Mamie Keye, owner Occupation not listed William Keye, renter Occupation not listed Mamie Keye, owner Occupation not listed William Keye, renter Occupation not listed Mamie Keye, owner Occupation not listed William Keye, renter Occupation not listed Susie Meyer, owner Occupation not listed Bertha J. Golsch, renter Dressmaker Bertha J. Golsch, renter Dressmaker Susie Meyer, owner Occupation not listed Susie Meyer, owner Occupation not listed Bertha J. Golsch, renter Dressmaker Susie Meyer, owner Occupation not listed William J. Keye, owner Contractor Mary C. Keye, owner Occupation not listed Susie Meyer, owner Occupation not listed Kate Gross, renter (widow Martin E.) Occupation not listed D.4 – 10 1924 1922 Susie Meyer, owner Occupation not listed Susie Meyer, owner Occupation not listed Kate Gross, owner (widow Martin E.) Occupation not listed 1920 William J. Keye, renter Carpenter Brydson Bros 1918 1916 1914 1912 Mamie Keye, owner Occupation not listed Susie Meyer, owner Occupation not listed Carolina Meyer, renter Occupation not listed William Keye, renter Contractor Mary Keye, renter Occupation not listed Susie Meyer, owner Occupation not listed Carolina Meyer, renter Occupation not listed William Keye, renter Contractor Mary Keye, renter Occupation not listed Susie Meyer, owner Occupation not listed Carolina Meyer, renter Occupation not listed William Keye, renter Mechanic Brydson Bros William Keye Jr., renter Contractor William Keye Retired William Keye Jr. Carpenter Mamie Keye Occupation not listed Susie Meyer Occupation not listed Carolina Meyer Occupation not listed 1910 William Keye Foreman brick and stonework, Brydon Bros. D.4 – 11 1906 William J. Keye Brick and stone contractor and builder, office and residence (1304 Lavaca) 1903 William J. Keye Brick and stone contractor and builder, office and residence (1304 Lavaca) 1897 1893 1891 William Keye Jr. Carpenter Mary Keye Occupation not listed Susie Meyer Occupation not listed William Keye Jr. Occupation not listed Martin Groos Surveyor Caroline Meyer Occupation not listed Susie Meyer Occupation not listed William Keye Jr. Carpenter Cerrie Meyer Occupation not listed Susie Meyer Occupation not listed Carrie Meyer Occupation not listed Frank Keye Saddler William Keye Stonemason Susan Meyer Occupation not listed Carrie Meyer Occupation not listed William Keye Stonemason Frank M. Keye Saddler Henry Keye Cigarmaker William Keye Stone contractor and builder D.4 – 12 Henry Meyer With J.W. Allen (J.W. Allen not listed) William Keye Stonemason William Keye Brickmason 1889 1887 1885 1881 William Keye Dohme & Keyes (George F. Hohme & William Keyes) brick manufacturers Colorado River west of Barton Springs William Keyes Mason contractor and builder Residence on west side of Lavaca between Peach & Walnut Note: Frank Keyes listed as residing on north side of Peach between Rio Grande and West Ave. Brickmason Historical Information The Austin Statesman, June 23, 1915 D.4 – 13 Travis County Marriage Records, 1873 1880 Census 1900 Census 1910 Census D.4 – 14 The Austin American, July 10, 1966 D.4 – 15 The Austin Statesman, July 31, 1966 D.4 – 16 The Austin Statesman, June 30, 1968 D.4 – 17 The Austin Statesman, June 7, 1970 D.4 – 18 The Austin Statesman, Aug. 14, 1971 The Austin Statesman, Aug. 6, 1972 D.4 – 19 Austin American-Statesman, July 17, 1978 Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps Source note: Sanborn Maps in color are from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/collections/sanborn-maps/, while the black and white scan is from ProQuest, https://digitalsanbornmaps.proquest.com/. D.4 – 20 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 1935-1961, vol. 1, sheet 18. The central portion of the building is red for solid masonry construction. Yellow denotes frame additions. One of the two front additions is masonry, while the other is frame. The central portion of the porch remains unenclosed, and the two-story building at the rear of the property has not yet been constructed. The building is used as a store. D.4 – 21 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 1935, sheet 18. The two-story rear addition has not yet been constructed, and the porch is unenclosed. Used as a rooming house. Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, 1900, sheet 30. Denoted as a dwelling. D.4 – 22 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Jan. 1894, sheet 4 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, July 1889, sheet 12 D.4 – 23 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, June 1885, sheet 8 Permits D.4 – 24 Sewer tap permit, 1917 D.4 – 25 Permit for addition, 1958 Permit for addition, 1969 D.4 – 26 Inspection for addition permit, 1969 D.4 – 27 Permit for addition, 1973 D.4 – 28 Water tap permit, 1975 Historic Resources Survey for Old Austin Neighborhood Association June 26, 2020 Prepared for Old Austin Neighborhood Association Prepared by HHM & Associates, Inc. Austin, Texas HHM ID No. 112116 1304 LAVACA ST A Thu, 21 Nov 2019 IDENTIFICATION Address 1304 LAVACA ST A Appraisal District ID 199827 Addition/Subdivision OLD CITY SUBD Legal Description LOT 1 BLK A OLD CITY SUBD HISTORY Current name Current use Vacant Sanborn) Thu, 21 Nov 2019 Owner Name PHARR PARADISE PARK LLC Owner Mailing Address 303 W 14TH ST AUSTIN TX 78701 Historic Name Historic Use Commercial review: This is a 1930s cottage, not a bungalow and may have significance in its later life as Dewey Bradford's art gallery specializing in Texas and Southwestern art - it was from here that LBJ and Lady Bird purchased Year built 1930 (source: In field estimate, 1935 History Notes Comment by Steve Sadowsky per draft CLASSIFICATION MAJOR PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Primary/Secondary PrimaryPrimary resource No. of Stories 1 Property Type Store per 1935 Sanborn Exterior Material(s) Wood, Stone Roof Form Side-gabled Window Type(s) Fixed, Double-hung Window Material(s) Metal, Wood Form/Plan Rectangular Stylistic Influence(s) Craftsman INTEGRITY PREVIOUS EVALUATIONS Designations Alterations Some windows replaced, Some exterior wall materials replaced, Porch enclosed (likely ca. 1965) Additions Additional story added (extant by 1935-1961 Sanborn) Notes Most alterations within period of significance (Survey No. HHM 1984 Survey: Site No: J-23-247; Est Date: 1870; Materials: brick/frame; Priority: 2; City Scan: CHBS 2018 - Form: Residential/Detached/Duplex; Estimated Date: 1965; Style: Craftsman; Integrity Score: 0) Surveys HHM 1984 Survey: Site No: J-23-247; Est Date: 1870; Materials: brick/frame; Priority: 2; City Scan: CHBS 2018 - Form: Residential/Detached/Duplex; Estimated Date: 1965; Style: Craftsman; Integrity Score: 0 LOCAL RECOMMENDATIONS Designation Not eligible for local designation Justification Applicable Criteria Area(s) of Significance District Name Status (N/C) Lacks integrity NATIONAL REGISTER (NRHP) RECOMMENDATIONS Designation Not eligible for NRHP Justification Applicable Criteria Area(s) of Significance District Name Status (N/C) Lacks integrity Appendix C | C-789HHM ID No. 112129 1304 LAVACA ST B Year built 1965 (source: Appraisal district) History Notes CLASSIFICATION Primary/Secondary SecondarySecondary resource MAJOR PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS IDENTIFICATION Address 1304 LAVACA ST B Appraisal District ID 199827 Addition/Subdivision OLD CITY SUBD Legal Description LOT 1 BLK A OLD CITY SUBD HISTORY Current name Current use Commercial Stylistic Influence(s) No stylistic influences visible Property Type Garage Form/Plan Garage INTEGRITY Alterations Additions Notes PREVIOUS EVALUATIONS Designations Surveys LOCAL RECOMMENDATIONS Designation Not eligible for local designation Justification Applicable Criteria Area(s) of Significance District Name Status (N/C) Lacks integrity Owner Name PHARR PARADISE PARK LLC Owner Mailing Address 303 W 14TH ST AUSTIN TX 78701 Historic Name Historic Use Commercial No. of Stories Exterior Material(s) Roof Form Window Type(s) Window Material(s) NATIONAL REGISTER (NRHP) RECOMMENDATIONS Designation Not eligible for NRHP Justification Applicable Criteria Area(s) of Significance District Name Status (N/C) Lacks integrity, Lacks significance Appendix C | C-790