26.0 - 1500 E 12th St — original pdf

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26 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JULY 3, 2024 PR-2024-064274; GF-2024-073040 1500 EAST 12TH STREET PROPOSAL ARCHITECTURE RESEARCH Demolish a store building constructed between 1889 and 1911. Two-story store building with one-story rear additions. It has a hipped roof with a central hipped dormer at the 12th Street elevation, 1:1 wood and vinyl windows, and horizontal wood siding covered with vinyl siding that has been partially removed. A shallow frame awning shelters the two entry stoops at 12th Street, while the two entrances on Comal Street remain uncovered. The building’s second-floor porch was originally open.1 The building at 1500 East 12th Street, originally addressed as 1400 East 12th Street, is estimated to have been built around 1910 per the 2016 East Austin Historic Resource Survey. However, the building’s earliest occupant—grocer Christian J. Wilhelm—is associated with the address as far back as 1889. Wilhelm, a native of Burnet, lived above his shop and sold groceries and beer; he also bartended briefly on Congress Avenue. Wilhelm was active in politics and ran for several civic roles, including Travis County Commissioner. In 1910, he and his family moved to Houston and sold the property at 1400 East 12th to Dessau merchants Ernest and Louisa Eisenbeiser. The Eisenbeiser store functioned sold produce and dry goods, and also had a saloon and restaurant. The Eisenbeiser family lived above the store and occasionally rented out living space for tenants. During Prohibition, the saloon was closed by City ordinance, though it later reopened. By 1934, it was a popular spot for German food, music, and beer, boasting novelties like a marble beer vault and a resident accordion band. Improvements to the building were made during this time, potentially including the enclosure of the open second-floor porch. After E. F. Eisenbeiser died in 1947, his wife, Louisa, continued to run the business for about two years; by 1950, she had sold the building to African American businessman Buford Johnson and its furnishings to widow E. M. Barton. Johnson primarily owned grocery stores, but by the mid-1950s, the building at 1500 East 12th Street had greatly expanded its offerings to the neighborhood. The Fifteen Hundred Beauty and Barber Shops operated out of the building, along with Club Fifteen Hundred, a bar and music venue. The Gamma Eta Alpha chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity also took up residence there. The oldest fraternity to allow Black members, Alpha Phi Alpha boasted an illustrious member roster in Austin and nationwide, including renowned NAACP president Lt. Col. Volma Overton, Sr.; J. Mason Brewer, Jr., the son of famed African American folklorist J. Mason Brewer; Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Thurgood Marshall.2 Though the APAs’ total tenure at 1500 East 12th was not confirmed during research, they remained in the building for at least two years beginning in 1956. By the early 1960s, the building was owned by Huston-Tillotson alumni Gillis C. and Grace Sneed Jefferson. G. C. Jefferson was also a District Commissioner of the Boy Scouts.3 Throughout the ‘60s, the Jeffersons constructed additions and made improvements to the building. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2016 East Austin Historic Resource Survey lists the property as eligible for local landmark listing based on historical associations and community value, and individual listing on the National Register of Historic Places for its significance in the area of land development and community planning. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 1 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 19 Sep 1970: 2. 2 “Austin Alphas.” The Gamma Eta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. https://www.facebook.com/AustinAlphas/about_details 3 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 06 Feb 1964: B24. 26 – 2 2) The building appears to retain moderate integrity. Windows and doors have been replaced. Vinyl siding has been removed to reveal historic-age wood siding. Additions and porch enclosures appear to have been constructed 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 meets two criteria for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is a vernacular commercial building. b. Historical association. The building is associated with the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and Mr. Buford Johnson, proprietor of the 1500 Club and the 1500 Beauty and Barber Shop. The 2016 East Austin Historic Resource Survey also identifies the property as significant due to its association with Ernest Eisenbeiser, a prominent Austin grocer. The building is also associated with Christian J. Wilhelm, a grocer and politician. 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 East Austin Historic Resource Survey identifies the property as 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 as a popular meeting place in East Austin. e. Landscape feature. The property does not appear to be a significant natural or designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, cultural, or historical value to the city. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Initiate historic zoning. Otherwise, require a City of Austin Documentation Package before releasing the demolition permit. LOCATION MAP 26 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 26 – 4 26 – 5 Demolition permit application, Sodosopa Salmon LP/Eureka Holdings, 2024 26 – 6 Occupancy History City Directory Research, East Austin Historic Resource Survey, 2016 and Austin History Center, 2024 Historic Landmark Commission, 2024 1970 Paladium Club 26 – 7 Louise Eisenbeiser, owner - Eisenbeiser's (beer); widow of Ernest Eisenbeiser Emma L. Eisenbeiser, renter – waitress, Eisenbeiser’s Kathryn R. Vyse, renter – waitress, Eisenbeiser’s Ernest and Louise Eisenbeiser, owners - Eisenbeiser's (beer); waitress Emma L. Eisenbeiser, renter – cashier, Eisenbeiser’s Vondell and Carol's Record Shop Tonnie's Charm House beauty shop Paladium Club Gladys Beauty Salon Club Fifteen Hundred Fifteen Hundred Beauty Shop Frank and Elsie Canady – porter, Driskill Hotel Club Fifteen Hundred (beer) Fifteen Hundred Barber Shop Fifteen Hundred Beauty Shop Ernest F. Eisenbeiser – restaurant Ernest F. Eisenbeiser – restaurant Ernest F. Eisenbeiser – beer E.F. Eisenbeiser, owner – grocery E.F. and Louise Eisenbeiser, owners – grocery E.F. Eisenbeiser – grocery E.F. Eisenbeiser – grocery Ernest F. and Louisa Eisenbeiser – grocery Note: The building is addressed as 1400 E. 12th St. Ernest F. and Louisa Eisenbeiser – saloon Note: The building is addressed as 1400 E. 12th St. E.F. Eisenbeiser, owner – grocery Paul and Emma Klearner, renters – carpenter at Calcasieu Lumber and stenographer for G.W. Walling, Jr. E.F. Eisenbeiser – grocer, beer Daniel M. Johnson, renter – porter, McKean Eilers Company Note: The directory indicates that Daniel M. Johnson was African American and that the building was previously addressed as 1400 E. 12th St. Note: The building is addressed as 1400 E. 12th St. Ernest F. Eisenbeiser – saloon Christian J. Wilhelm – grocer Note: The directory indicates that Wilhelm’s residence is located at his business address, 1400 E. 12th St. Christian J. Wilhelm – grocer Note: The building is addressed as 1400 E. 12th St. Christian J. Wilhelm – grocer Note: The directory indicates that Wilhelm’s residence is located at his business address, 1400 E. 12th St. Christian J. Wilhelm – groceries and beer at 1400 E. 12th St., also bartender for J.A. Miller at 1011 Congress Amelia Wilhelm, renter – dressmaker for Hatzfeld & Co. Note: The directory indicates that Wilhelm’s residence is located at his business address, 1400 E. 12th St. 1903 Christian J. Wilhelm – grocer 1965 1960 1954 1949 1947 1944 1941 1939 1935 1932 1929 1924 1920 1918 1916 1914 1912 1910 1909 1906 1905 Frederick C. Wilhelm, renter – jeweler Note: The directory indicates that Wilhelm’s residence is located at his business address, 1400 E. 12th St. on the corner of Comal. Christian J. Wilhelm – Joergens and Wilhelm, groceries Note: The directory indicates that Wilhelm’s residence is located at his business address, 1400 E. 12th St. on the corner of Comal 26 – 8 1893 1891 1889 Christian J. Wilhelm – grocer Note: The building is addressed as 1400 E. 12th St. Note: The building is addressed as 1400 E. 12th St., corner Christian J. Wilhelm – grocer Historical Information 1922 Sanborn map, 1935 Sanborn map 1940 aerial photo 26 – 9 The Austin Daily Statesman (1880-1889); Austin, Tex.. 28 June 1883: 1. The Austin Statesman (1889-1891); Austin, Tex.. 17 Jan 1891: 3. Austin Daily Statesman (1891-1902); Austin, Tex.. 29 Sep 1892: 2. 26 – 10 Austin Daily Statesman (1891-1902); Austin, Tex.. 03 Sep 1901: 1. The Austin Statesman (1902-1915); Austin, Tex.. 09 July 1908: 2. 26 – 11 26 – 12 26 – 13 Travis County (Tex.). Clerk's Office. Travis County Deed Records: Deed Record 242, book, 1910-08/1910-12; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1110913/m1/84/?q=%22eisenbeiser%22: accessed June 20, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Travis County Clerk’s Office. The Austin Statesman (1902-1915); Austin, Tex.. 18 June 1912: 8. 26 – 14 Das Wochenblatt. (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 43, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 26, 1915 Page: 8. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1478723/m1/8/ 26 – 15 The Statesman (1916-1921); Austin, Tex.. 20 Dec 1917: 1. The Statesman (1916-1921); Austin, Tex.. 29 Nov 1920: 4. 26 – 16 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 28 June 1928: 6. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 01 July 1928: A2. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 11 Feb 1934: 3. 26 – 17 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 27 Apr 1934: 3. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 22 June 1934: 14. 26 – 18 Saint Edward's Echo (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 18, No. 7, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 16, 1936 Page: 3. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1293968/m1/3/ The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 24 June 1944: 7. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 17 May 1947: 7. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 18 May 1947: 20. 26 – 19 Travis County (Tex.). Clerk's Office. Travis County Clerk Records: Bill of Sale Record 9, book, 1947/1957; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Travis County Clerk’s Office. 26 – 20 Barnes, Lorraine.  The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 24 Oct 1950: 1. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 07 June 1951: A12. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 26 Mar 1954: 14 26 – 21 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 15 July 1956: B9. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 12 Aug 1956: I2. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 14 Sep 1956: 16. 26 – 22 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 16 Dec 1956: A2. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 31 Jan 1957: 46. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 24 July 1958: B18. 26 – 23 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 02 June 1957: B12. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 15 Jan 1960: 9. 26 – 24 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 13 Sep 1970: E1.; Hart, Katherine.  The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 19 Sep 1970: 5 26 – 25 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 19 Sep 1970: 2. 26 – 26 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 07 Sep 1970: 24. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 26 May 1973: 18.  Permits 26 – 27 26 – 28 26 – 29 26 – 30