22.0 - 503 Walsh St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS MARCH 6, 2024 DA-2024-001855; GF-2024-018655 503 WALSH STREET 22 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1894 house. ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH One-and-a-half-story cross-gabled house with partial width porch, traditional cornice returns at gable ends, 2:2 wood windows, and stucco cladding. The house at 503 Walsh Street, originally addressed as 503 Blanco Street, was constructed around 1894. Its first residents were Frank and Emma Casper and their daughter, Byrdie. Dr. Frank Casper worked as a dentist, with office space on Congress Avenue and Colorado Street. Frank Casper claimed to be the heir to Abel Casper, whose Mississippi plantation was requisitioned by the Union Army during the Civil War; Dr. Casper attempted to solicit restitution money from the federal government forty years later, though it did not appear that he was successful. After Casper’s death around 1916, the house passed to his widow, Emma. Its primary tenants were James A. Warren and his family. James Warren was the bookkeeper and cashier for the City’s Street and Public Improvement division, and served a brief stint as City Clerk. During the 1920s, the house became a rental property, home to several short-term occupants. Occupants during the thirties, forties, and fifties included a widow, an engineer, and City Electric Department employees. PROPERTY EVALUATION Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate integrity. Gables have been altered and the building has been clad in stucco, though modifications may have taken place during the historic period. 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 is constructed with Folk Victorian influences, but character-defining features have been removed or altered over the years. 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 Encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse but release the demolition permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP 22 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 22 – 3 22 – 4 22 – 5 22 – 6 Occupancy History City Directory Research, February 2024 Vacant Site plan exemption application, 2024 Eddie and Dolores Slack, renters – employee at Electric Dept. Warren H. and Beatrice Smith, owners – engineer Warren H. and Beatrice Smith, owners – engineer Fred and Adelle Rockendolf, owners Lyman C. Moriss, renter Mrs. Adele G. Weatherford, owner Mrs. Adele G. Weatherford, owner W. A. Bryant, renter E. N. Powell, renter E. L. Kimmons, renter Clay Reed, renter Walsh Street is listed as part of Blanco Street. James A. Warren, owner 1959 1955 1952 1949 1944 1941 1939 1935 1932 1929 1927 1924 1922 1918 1916 1912 J. A. and Mabel Warren, renters – cashier, City Streets and Public Improvements Aileen Warren, renter Mrs. Emma L. Casper, owner (widow of F. S. Casper) James and Mabel Warren, owners – bookkeeper, City Engineer’s Office; secretary, Moose Club Emma Casper Thomas and Rennie Dailey, renters – salesman James A. Warren – chief clerk, City Superintendent of Streets and Bridges Mrs. Sarah Escamilla George Vasquez Miss Amelia Vasquez Miss Cecilia Vasquez 22 – 7 Frank S. Casper, renter – dentist, 200 W. 7th St. James A. Warren – yard clerk, IG&N Benjamin F. Kendall – retired Dr. Frank S. Casper – dentist Earl M. Andrews, renter – employee at Bosche Laundry Dr. Frank S. Casper – dentist, office McDonald Building, 700 Colorado St. Dr. Frank S. Casper, owner – dentist, office 704 Congress Ave. Miss Byrdie Casper – teacher, Texas Deaf and Dumb Asylum Note: Caspers listed at “east side of Blanco between W. 5th and 6th.” 1893 Casper listed at 1005 San Jacinto. Historical Information 1909 1906 1903 1895 1922 Sanborn map The Austin Daily Statesman (1880-1889); Austin, Tex.. 22 Feb 1884: 4. The Austin Daily Statesman (1880-1889); Austin, Tex.. 19 Apr 1884: 4. 22 – 8 The Austin Statesman (1902-1915); Austin, Tex.. 28 June 1903: 5. 22 – 9 The Statesman (1916-1921); Austin, Tex.. 20 Feb 1918: 4. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 15 July 1926: 1. 22 – 10 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 18 July 1929: 7. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 04 Aug 1937: 3. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 10 June 1938: 7. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 19 May 1943: 11. 22 – 11 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 17 Feb 1944: 2. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 01 Sep 1946: 10. Permits 22 – 12