D.5.0 - 1704 Newton St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JUNE 1, 2022 PR-2022-062642; GF-2022-066738 1704 NEWTON STREET D.5 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1941 house. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH One-story side-gabled house with horizontal siding, shallow eaves, 1:1 windows, enclosed garage, and gable-roofed covered entryway. The house at 1704 Newton Street was built in 1941 for Leora Medearis Byrd. Byrd’s husband Brady worked as a cook at the Longhorn Waffle Shop. By 1949, Leora Medearis had married Herman Hicks, Sr., a baker. The Hickses had two children, Ernestelle and Herman, Jr. Herman Hicks, Jr. was one of the first thirteen Black students to integrate into previously segregated high schools in 1955. Hicks and four other students in the Bouldin area transferred from Anderson High, Austin’s Black high school, to William B. Travis High. He remained there until his graduation in 1958 and was a member of the basketball and track teams. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2015 Bouldin survey report lists the property as a medium priority and contributing to a potential historic district. 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 does not meet two criteria: Minimal Traditional stylistic influences. a. Architecture. The building does not appear to convey architectural significance, though it appears to have b. Historical association. The property appears to have significant historical associations with Herman Hicks, Jr., one of the first Black students to attend William B. Travis High School at the start of Austin’s school desegregation in 1955. 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 Approve the demolition application upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP D.5 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos D.5 – 3 Demolition permit application, 2022 Occupancy History City Directory Research, May 2022 Herman Hicks, owner Herman and Leola Hicks, owners Baker Herman and Leola Hicks, owners Herman and Leora Hicks, owners Baker, McNamara Bakery Rear – Georgia Taylor, owner Leora Hicks, owner Rear – Georgia Taylor, renter Brady and Leora M. Byrd, owners Cook, Longhorn Waffle Shop Brady and Leora M. Byrd, owners Cook 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 Address not listed Permits D.5 – 4 Water service permit, 1941 Sewer tap, 1941 Building permit, 1960 Building permit, 1941 Historical information D.5 – 5 "Memorial Park Deed Included in Transfers: New Peak Realized as 69 Documents for $137,523 are Filed." The Austin American (1914-1973), Jun 08, 1941. 6 Joines, Bill. "13 NEGROES ASK TO TRANSFER: 13 NEGROES TO TRANSFER." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Sep 01, 1955. 2. D.5 – 6 "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: Travis High School; Year: 1956 "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: Travis High School; Year: 1956 D.5 – 7 "Rebels Fall to St. Ed's." The Austin Statesman (1921-1973), Dec 12, 1956. 24. D.5 – 8 "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: Travis High School; Year: 1957 "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; School Name: Travis High School; Year: 1958 D.5 – 9 "A PAIR OF QUEENS." The Austin American (1914-1973), Jun 21, 1959. 1