D.3.0 - 3009 Bowman Avenue — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 26, 2021 PR-2021-084005 3009 BOWMAN AVENUE D.3 – 1 PROPOSAL ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH Demolish a ca. 1941 house, a ca. 2018 addition, and pool. One-story Colonial Revival-styled wood frame house with a front-gabled entry and a partial-width independent porch on round columns; single and paired fenestration. The original house has a large, two-story, front-gabled frame addition to the south, which replaced a what appears to be an original detached garage, and then a later detached garage. The original house retains its articulation despite the additions to the south. The house appears to have been built around 1941 for John Barclay, the pastor of the Central Christian Church in downtown Austin. There is a water service permit to Burt Dyke, who owned the large estate at what was the end of Bowman Avenue, and whose home is now known as the Tarry House; there does not appear to be a building permit for this house; but the water service permit does reference this address. John and Mattie Barclay were married in 1941, and he began his pastorship at Central Christian that year. Barclay was an influential leader in Austin’s religious community, organizing the Austin Council of Churches. He presided at Central Christian over its period of greatest growth, and offered the Protestant prayer at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy in 1961. While serving as U.S. Senator, Lyndon B. Johnson was a member of this church. STAFF COMMENTS Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The original building is more than 50 years old. 2) The original building is still discernible, but has a large non-historic addition. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined it may meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The house is a good example of Colonial Revival architecture, and reflects a variant of Colonial Revival that was more common in the Carolinas; John Barclay, the first owner of this house, was from North Carolina. While Barclay would definitely recognize the original part of the house, the new addition to the south dwarfs it so there is a question of integrity here that the Commission needs to decide as to whether the house meets the architectural significance criterion at this point. b. Historical association. The house is associated with John Barclay, who lived here from 1941 until his retirement. Barclay was the pastor of Austin’s Central Christian Church from the 1940s through the 1960s, and was very influential in Austin’s religious life. He organized the Austin Council of Churches, and offered the Protestant prayer at President Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961. While serving as U.S. Senator, Lyndon B. Johnson was a member of Reverent Barclay’s congregation. However, it is unlikely that Rev. Barclay would recognize the current building as the home he and his wife occupied for over 20 years. 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 Consider initiation of historic zoning for the original portion of this building and allow for the demolition of the addition and pool. The house has significant historical associations with Rev. John Barclay, but the additions are overwhelming. If there is a way to preserve the original Colonial Revival section of the house and have the Commission review any new additions to the property that would preserve this house and allow it to be a historic landmark then that would be the best solution here in staff’s opinion. This house clearly has significant historical associations with an important religious figure in the city, and the applicant should consider an alternative to demolition that commemorates that history. D.3 – 2 LOCATION MAP D.3 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION 3009 Bowman Avenue ca. 1941 D.3 – 4 OCCUPANCY HISTORY 3009 Bowman Avenue City Directory Research, Austin History Center By City Historic Preservation Office June, 2021 1957 1954 Rev. John and Mattie B. Barclay, owners Pastor Central Christian Church Rev. John and Bea Barclay, owners Pastor, Central Christian Church Rev. John and Mattie Barkley, owners Pastor, Central Christian Church Rev. John and Mattie B. Barkley, owners No occupation listed 1949 1947 1944-45 Unknown. The address of 3009 Bowman is not listed n the directory; there is a house address of 3007, which would correspond to the existing house, and it is listed as vacant. NOTE: Rev. John and Mattie Barkley are not listed in the directory. D.3 – 5 1942 Unknown There is a listing for 3007 Bowman, which was vacant; nothing listed as 3009. NOTE: Earlier directories show a 3025 Bowman Avenue, which corresponds to the home of the Dyke family, now known as the Tarry House, across the street from this house. The Dyke family may have donated the land (or house) for this property to the Central Christian Church; further research would be necessary to document this. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: Rev. John Barclay served as the pastor of the Central Christian Church from 1941 to 1969, and presided over its peak membership. He gave the prayer at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration in 1961; while serving as U.S. Senator, Lyndon B. Johnson was a member of this congregation. John and Mattie Bell Barclay were married in 1941. Bohn Barclay died in 1989; Mattie Barclay died in 2002. D.3 – 6 Story on 20 years of service of Rev. John Barclay Austin American-Statesman, September 17, 1961 D.3 – 7 Story on 50 years of preaching by Rev. John Barclay Austin Statesman, September 17, 1964 D.3 – 8 D.3 – 9 News story on a dinner honoring Dr. John Barclay Austin Statesman, March 24, 1972