24.0 - 507 Walsh St — original pdf

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24 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS MARCH 6, 2024 DA-2024-001855; GF-2024-018662 507 WALSH STREET PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1903 house. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH One-story pyramidal hipped-roof National Folk house with horizontal siding, replacement windows at the front elevation and 2:2 wood windows at the secondary elevation, dual covered entries, and a seamed metal roof. The house at 507 Walsh Street, originally addressed as 507 Blanco Street, was built around 1903. Like many similar rentals in the area, its occupants often included train operators who worked at the nearby railyards and workers at the nearby telephone company. Its first owners were Frank Vasquez, a train conductor, and his three daughters, who also rented part of the house to fellow conductor Albert Escamilla and his mother, Sarah Escamilla. From 1914 to around 1920, the house was owned and occupied by Frances and Emil Wilke, who also had three daughters; Emil Wilke worked as a carpenter and all three Wilke daughters worked at the Southwestern Telephone and Telegraph Company. They sold the home to Edward Sponberg, a postal clerk, and his wife, Hattie. Other short-term occupants included more railway workers, drivers, and salesmen. By the late 1940s, Benjamin and Ada Stramler had purchased the home. Stramler first worked for the railroad, then the E. M. Scarbrough Company, then the City maintenance shop until his death in the early 1950s. PROPERTY EVALUATION Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate integrity. Windows have been replaced and entryways altered. 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 for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building does not appear to be architecturally significant, as its National Folk features have 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 been modified over the years. history or prehistory of the region. d. Community value. The property was not evaluated for its ability to convey 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 demolition permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP 24 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 24 – 3 24 – 4 24 – 5 Occupancy History City Directory Research, February 2024 1959 1955 Mrs. Ada Stramler, owner – widow of Benjamin Stramler A: Mrs. Annie Randle, renter Ada V. Stramler, owner A: Jay and Joyce Elson, renters – salesman 24 – 6 1952 1949 1944 1941 1939 1935 1932 1929 1927 1924 1920 1918 1916 1912 1909 Benjamin and Ada Stramler, owners Bill G. Stramler, renter – examiner, Texas Insurance Checking Office A: Aubrey G. Townsend, renter Benjamin and Ada Stramler, owners Mrs. Verta L. Swenson, renter Howard Smith, renter – driver, Travis County Oil Co. John S. and Edna Harris, renters – representative, Austin Transit Co. Edward Jourdan, renter Victor and Eva Peterson, renters – Driver, Cash Lumber Co. L. H. Lynch, renter J. M. Niven, renter W. H. Jenkins Edward T. and Hattie Sponberg, owners – clerk, post office Leslie and Reon Jenkins, renters E. T. Sponberg, owner Address listed as 507 Blanco Street Edward T. and Hattie Sponberg, owners – clerk, post office Emil and Frances Wilke, owners – carpenter Emil and Frances Wilke, owners – carpenter Miss Eda Wilke, renter – telephone operator Miss Henrietta Wilke, renter – telephone operator Miss Mamie Wilke, renter – clerk, telephone company Emil and Frances Wilke, owners – carpenter Miss Henrietta Wilke, renter – telephone operator William Allen Frank Vasquez, owner – conductor, Austin El. Railway Co. Miss Amelia Vasquez, renter – seamstress, Condit & Davis Miss Crecenia Vasquez, renter – packer, T. B. Walker Manufacturing Co. Miss Josefa Vasquez, renter – packer, T. B. Walker Manufacturing Co. Albert Escamilla, renter – conductor, Austin El. Railway Co. Mrs. Sarah Escamilla, renter – widow of Frank Escamilla 1906 Not listed Historical Information 1922 Sanborn map 24 – 7 The Austin Statesman (1902-1915); Austin, Tex.. 17 Feb 1907: 6. The Austin Statesman (1902-1915); Austin, Tex.. 18 Dec 1910: 10. The Statesman (1916-1921); Austin, Tex.. 27 Oct 1918: A2. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 26 Feb 1930: 14. 24 – 8 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 18 May 1930: 6A. 24 – 9 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 22 Sep 1947: 5. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 21 Oct 1953: 14 Permits 24 – 10