9.0 - 900 Spence St — original pdf

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9 – 1 HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS JULY 3, 2024 PR-2024-026690; GF-2024-043975 WILLOW-SPENCE NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 900 SPENCE STREET PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1915 contributing building. ARCHITECTURE The 1985 Willow-Spence National Register Historic District Nomination describes the property as a one-story wood-frame house with a hipped roof. A porch supported by wooden columns is located across the eastern three-fifths of the front facade.1 The Historic Resources of East Austin National Register Nomination describes the building as an exemplar of the pyramidal cottage style.2 RESEARCH The house at 900 Spence Street, originally addressed as 810 Spence Street, was built in 1915 by Alfred and Caroline Johnson. Alfred Johnson worked as an engineer at the Southland Ice Company. The Johnsons lived in the home for twenty years, after which time it became a rental. Martha Ann “Mattie” Speir purchased the house after the death of her husband, Nace, in 1943. She took in renters for extra income and lived in the home until her death in 1957. Bastrop natives Bernardino Casarez Romo and Santos Selvera Romo purchased the house in 1957. Married in 1945, the Romo family had 8 children; Bernardino Romo served on the Palm School PTA board. Bernardino Casarez Romo worked as an upholsterer when the family moved into 900 Spence Street around 1959. The Romos retained ownership together until Bernardino Romo’s death at age 97 in 2017, and Santos Romo kept the house until her death in 2021. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the Willow-Spence National Register district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain high integrity. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff has evaluated the property and determined that it may meet two criteria for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of the National Folk style. b. Historical association. The property does not appear to have significant historical associations; however, the house’s occupancy history is a good example of the settlement patterns of the district. 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 was not evaluated for its ability 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 does not appear to be 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 only upon receipt of a City of Austin Documentation Package. Demolition permits in National Register Historic Districts may not be pulled until the plans for new construction have been reviewed by the Historic Landmark Commission. Alternatively, postpone the public hearing to August 7, 2024, to invite the applicant to the Architectural Review Committee to discuss alternatives to total demolition. 1 https://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/NR/pdfs/85002264/85002264.pdf 2 https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/ae795ed3-9ae7-41a5-bedd-9474ae3bcf75 LOCATION MAP 9 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 9 – 3 9 – 4 Demolition permit application, 2024 Willow-Spence National Register Historic District Nomination, 1985. https://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/NR/pdfs/85002264/85002264.pdf Bernardino and Santos Romo, owners – upholsterer, Wesley H. Pearson Occupancy History City Directory Research, April 2024 1959 1955 1952 Mrs. Mattie A. Speir, owner Mrs. Mattie A. Speir, owner Ralph A. Staples, renter 1949 Mrs. Mattie A. Speir, owner (widow of Emory) 9 – 5 Mrs. Mattie A. Speir, owner (widow of Nace E.) John Powell, renter John H. Thompson, renter Jack Condit, renter Thomas Davis, renter Address listed as 810 Spence St. on 1935 Sanborn map Alf Johnson, owner Address listed as 810 Spence St. Alfred and Caroline Johnson, owners – engineer, Southland Ice Co. 1944 1941 1939 1935 1929 1924 1922 1920 1918 1916 Alfred Johnson, owner Alfred Johnson, owner Alfred Johnson, owner Alfred Johnson, owner Address not listed Historical Information The Austin Statesman and Tribune (1915-1916); Austin, Tex.. 06 Sep 1915: 1. The Austin Statesman and Tribune (1915-1916); Austin, Tex.. 15 Dec 1915: 10. 9 – 6 Draft card for Bernardino C. Romo, 1940. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui- content/view/21415416:2238?tid=&pid=&queryId=778d7e2b-f915-461a-8530- e7268b7efe9e&_phsrc=Dbw4&_phstart=successSource 9 – 7 Marriage license for Bernardino Casarez Romo and Santos Selvera, 1945. https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui- content/view/40648940:9168 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 10 Sep 1943: 17. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 20 Sep 1945: 6. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 02 June 1953: 3. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 15 Feb 1955: 8. 9 – 8 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 22 Apr 1957: 18. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 31 Mar 1965: A11. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 27 Mar 1962: 10. 9 – 9 9 – 10 https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/austin-tx/bernardino-romo-7373400 Permits 9 – 11 Interior remodel permit, 1962