D.8.0 - 1912 Tillotson Ave — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS NOVEMBER 15, 2021 PR-2021-164123; GF-2021-168192 1912 TILLOTSON AVENUE D.8 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1931 frame bungalow. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH One-story, rectangular-plan, front-gabled frame bungalow with synthetic siding, single 1:1 fenestration, and a partial-width inset porch on ornamental metal supports. The house was built around 1931 in the College Heights Addition, just north and east of the present Huston-Tillotson College campus. College Heights was developed as an owner-occupied subdivision for Black homeowners, so this house is an anomaly in the mix. The first tenant was an air compressor operator for the city; Henry and Sarah Hill rented this house until around 1936, when it was purchased by Corley and Willie Steward, who lived here until around 1948. Corley Steward was a teacher at the old L.C. Anderson High School while he and Willie lived here. He later became the principal of Oak Springs Elementary School. The house was then purchased by John D. and Iris L. Parks, who lived here at least through the late 1950s. John D. Parks was a chauffeur. PROPERTY EVALUATION The East Austin Historic Survey notes this house as contributing to a potential historic district incorporating the College Heights subdivision, but staff disagrees, given that it has had modifications to the siding, windows, and door, and does not share the commonality of owner-purchased houses at the outset of the establishment of the subdivision. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate integrity. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it may not meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building is a vernacular working class frame bungalow with little architectural distinction. This is a very common type in Austin, and the house has been modified, compromising its integrity of materials. b. Historical association. The property was associated with Corley Steward, a teacher at the old L.C. Anderson High School when he lived in this house; he later went on to become principal of Oak Springs Elementary. There is little indication that this house has any significance with this due to its association with Steward. 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. LOCATION MAP D.8 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos D.8 – 3 Google Street View, 2014 Occupancy History City Directory Research, September 2021 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 1939 John D. and Iris Parks, owners John D. and Iris Parks, owners Chauffeur John D. and Iris Parks, owners Chauffeur John D. and Iris L. Parks, owners Driver John D. and Iris L. Parks, owners Corley R. and Willie Steward, owners Teacher Anderson High School Corley R. and Willie Steward, owners Teacher Public School Corley R. and Willie Steward, owners Teacher Public School Corley R. and Willie Steward, owners Teacher Public School D.8 – 4 Corley R. and Willie Steward, owners Teacher Anderson High School Henry and Sarah Hill, renters Laborer City Street & Bridge Department Lorenzo and Mary Toles, renters Washman John Bros Inc. John B. Toles, renter 1937 1935 1932 Henry and Sarah Hill, renters Air compressor operator City Street & Bridge Department Lorenzo and Mary Toles, renters Porter Bothager Motor Co. John B. Toles, renter 1929 Address not listed Permits Water Service Permit, 1931 D.8 – 5 Building Permit, 1943 Remodel Permit, 1968 D.8 – 6 Biographical Information Corley and Willie Steward (ca. 1936 – ca. 1948) Corley and Willie Steward appear as the owners of this house in the 1940 U.S. Census. The house was worth $1,500. Corley Steward was 32, had been born in Texas and was a public school teacher. Willie Steward was also 32, had been born in Texas, and was a college instructor. They had no children listed with them. Corley Rector Steward registered of the draft in World War II in 1940. He was living at this address at that time. His wife was Mrs. Willie Reese Steward. He was born in Austin in 1905 and was employed by the Austin public schools. He was 6’-2” tall, weighed 165 pounds and had a dark brown complexion with brown eyes and black hair. His 1972 death certificate shows that Corley R. Steward was living at 2206 E. 22nd Street at the time of his death. He was born in Texas in 1907 and was a principal in the Austin public schools. D.8 – 7 Obituary of Corley R. Steward Austin Statesman, August 11, 1972 John D. and Iris Parks (ca. 1950 - ) The 1940 U.S. Census shows John D. Parks as the 22-year-old son of John W. Parks, who owned their home valued at $800 at 1411 Singleton Avenue in Austin. John D. Parks was single, had been born in Texas and was a parking man for a garage. His father, 47, had been born in Texas, and was a transfer man for a hauling service. John D. Parks had a younger brother, Clarence, 18, who had been born in Texas and was a building porter. John D. Parks married Iris Adams in Travis County in 1941. His 1971 death certificate shows that John D. Parks had been living at 1411 Singleton Avenue at the time of his death. He was born in 1918 in Texas and was a laborer doing odd jobs. He was divorced. D.8 – 8