24.0 - 711 W Monroe St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS FEBRUARY 7, 2024 PR-2024-000257; GF-2024-005558 711 WEST MONROE STREET 24 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1906 house. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH 711 West Monroe Street is a one-story L-plan house with a double hipped roof and a partial-width porch supported by boxed columns. It has 2:2 wood and aluminum windows and horizontal siding. The house at 711 West Monroe, addressed alternatively as 705 West Monroe, appears to have been built between 1904 and 1906. Its first occupants were the Wimberly family, who remained in the home until around 1934. Jim Wimberly worked as a carpenter, a saloon operator, and a grocer. He and his wife, Matilda, also owned the Wimberly Filling Station on South First Street for a short time. After building a new house on South First in 1934, the Wimberlys sold the house to Charles Douglas and Mary Benson. Charley Benson worked as a carpenter, a machinist, and superintendent at Wager Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he also served as a deacon. Mary Benson worked as a bookbinder at the Steck Company. They had four children and lived in the home until at least 1959. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2016 Bouldin Creek survey 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. The building appears to have been added on to and clad with aluminum siding outside the period of significance, though the porch modifications date to the historic period and have gained significance in their own right. 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 building is constructed with National Folk and Classical-style influences. b. Historical association. The property does not appear to have 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 appear to 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 Strongly encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, then relocation over demolition, but release the permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP 24 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 24 – 3 24 – 4 Demolition application, 2024 24 – 5 Google Street View, 2022 1959 1955 1952 1949 1944 1941 1939 1935 1932 1929 1927 1924 1922 1918 1916 1914 Occupancy History City Directory Research, January 2024 Charles E. and Lillie Smith, renters – carpenter for C. D. Benson Charles D. and Mary Benson, owners – carpenter Charles D. and Mary Benson, owners – carpenter Charles D. and Mary Benson, owners – machine operator James D. and Peggy Benson, renters – machine operator Charles D. and Mary Benson, owners – US Navy employee; bookbinder at Steck Co. Charles D. and Mary Benson, owners – machine operator, City Water Department C. Douglas and Mary Benson, owners – machine operator Address listed as 705 W. Monroe C. D. and Mary Benson, renters – employee, City Light, Power, and Water P. E. Wimberly, owner Porter E. and Opal Wimberly, renters – City garbage department James L. and Matilda Wimberly, owners – manager, Wimberley Filling Station at 1710 S. 1st St. Albert Finley, renter J. L. Wimberly, owner Address listed as 705 (711) James L. and Matilda Wimberley, owners – grocer, 608-610 W Annie St. Porter Wimberley, renter – clerk, J. L. Wimberley James L. Wimberley, owner – saloon, 1303 S. Congress James L. Wimberley – carpenter Robert Wimberley 1912 Address listed as 707 James L. Wimberly, owner – carpenter James L. Wimberly, carpenter, listed at 715 W. Monroe James L. Wimberly, carpenter, listed at 715 W. Monroe J. L. Wimberly and 6 household members are listed as residing on W. Monroe St. 1910 1909 1906 1903 J. L. Wimberly listed on W. Mary St. Historical Information 24 – 6 The Statesman (1916-1921); Austin, Tex.. 27 Mar 1918: 8 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 25 Aug 1922: 3. 24 – 7 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 13 July 1923: 1. 24 – 8 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 19 Dec 1924: 4. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 09 Dec 1934: 16. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 31 Jan 1937: 1. 24 – 9 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 25 July 1944: 7. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 28 June 1947: 2. 24 – 10 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 20 July 1947: A10. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 24 Aug 1955: 18. Permits Garage permit, 1942 24 – 11 Porch repair permit, 1939 Sewer tap permit, 1930