22.0 - 1606 Cedar Ave — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JUNE 4, 2025 PR-2025-058881; GF-2025-060225 1606 CEDAR AVENUE 22.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1924 house. ARCHITECTURE Very simple in layout and modest in size, the house is an elevated single-story bungalow with a porch at the front corner. The front gabled roof adds height to the front, and the recessed porch provides some outdoor seating space as well as a transition from the steps up from the front walk to the front entry. Hung 1-over-1 windows on all sides appear to be replacement metal units, and the walls have been covered with asbestos shingle, likely after the original period of construction. Rafter tails are present at the sides, and the elevated foundation is covered with a concrete skirt. Though the building is modest and does not feature many, if any, decorative elements, the building form represents a common type of construction once present in this section of East Austin that housed renters and service workers for the past 90 years. RESEARCH Constructed sometime around 1924, the house at 1606 Cedar Avenue was first owned by Sarah, Pernie, and Carrie Suldon until 1935. After this time, it was occupied for renters for at least 30 years, all of whom worked in various services and labor industries in Austin. While some of these renters saw milestones such as birth of children while living at the property, none appear to have been associated with the address for longer than five years. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2016 East Austin Historic Resources Survey lists the property as contributing to both a potential local historic district and a potential national historic 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 does not meet two criteria: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of modest bungalow construction in East Austin. 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 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 material salvage and reuse, but release the demolition permit upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. LOCATION MAP 22.0 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 22.0 – 3 Demolition Application, 2025 22.0 – 4 Occupancy History City Directory Research, May 2025 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 Lewis L. and Hertha Fowler, renters; poultry dresser at Massengale Co. Same as above Homer and Ruby Sanders, renters Lonnie and Eula L. Houston, renters; driver Geo and Elnora Barrett, owners; laborer Same as above 1944-45 Julius Thompson, renter; laborer 1941 1939 1937 1935 Julius and Lillie B. Thompson, renters; attendant at Wickline Garage Bevly and Gussie Davis, renters Same as above Same as above 1932-33 Sarah Suldon, owner 1927 1924 1922 Same as above Sarah, Pernie and Carrie Suldon, owners Address not listed Historical Information The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 22 Mar 1957: 7. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 23 Nov 1960: 2. 22.0 – 5 BECKY COPELAND Staff Writer.  The Austin American - Statesman (1973-1980), Evening ed.; Austin, Tex.. 23 May 1976: B1. Permits 22.0 – 6 Sewer tap permit, 1939