20.0 - 607 E 38th St — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION DEMOLITION AND RELOCATION PERMITS JUNE 4, 2025 PR-2025-041615; GF-2025-052681 607 EAST 38TH STREET 20.0 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1935 house. ARCHITECTURE The house at 607 East 38th Street is a side-by-side duplex set on an elevated foundation on a sloping grade adjacent to Hancock Golf Course. Unlike many homes in the nearby Hyde Park neighborhood, which were converted to duplexes during the Great Depression in the 1930s, this property appears to have been originally constructed as two units. This can be seen in the two entrances at the front corners, which are covered by small, decorated gables overhanging their respective stoops. The walls are clad in a narrow teardrop siding, and windows all appear to be original 1-over-1 hung units. A short metal rail is present at the perimeter of each stoop, which are accessed by stairs oriented parallel to the front elevation. A moderately pitched side gabled roof covers the house, with visible rafter tails at the front. RESEARCH Throughout its early history, the property was inhabited by a series of renters, none of whom appear to have lived at the address for longer than a few years. Records indicate that the north half of the property was largely vacant for most of the 1940s, which could possibly indicate that both sides were occupied by the same tenant. The house consistently had students living there throughout the decades given its proximity to the universities near to the south. PROPERTY EVALUATION The 2019 North Loop-Hancock-Boggy Creek historic resource survey lists the property as a medium priority. 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 Craftsman style residential duplex construction. 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 20.0 – 2 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 20.0 – 3 Demolition application, 2025 Google Street View, March 2024 20.0 – 4 Occupancy History City Directory Research, May 2025 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 607 E 38th St: Douglas E. Jourdan, renter 607 ½ E 38th St: David W. Campbell, renter 607: Donald and Edell Wentz, renters 607 ½: Billy B. and Wanda R. Wylie, renters; employee at White Pharmacy 607: Robert E. and Dorothy Richardson, renters; student 607 ½: Billy B. and Wanda R. Wylie, renters; pharmacist 607: K. G. and Jeanne Morrison, renters 607 ½: Vacant 607:Austin C. and Jacqueline Webb, renters; Student at University of Texas 607 ½: Vacant 607: Haskell and Betty Watson, renters; Assistant manager at Checker Front Store 607 ½: Vacant 1944-45 607: Harold Alston, renter 607 ½: Mrs. Ophelia P. Hewatt, renter; Employee at Texas Insurance Checking Office 1941 1939 1937 607: Zina Young, renter – Jason A. Young’s widow; clerk at State Treasury 607 ½: Vacant 607: Thomas W. and Clara J. Wilson, renters; Service manager at Capitol Chevrolet Inc 607 ½: Paul T. and Mildred E. Hornberger, renters; Ice delivery man 607: H. Floyd and Clara Davis, renters; Manager at Standard Brands Inc. 607 ½: Mrs. Lucille Marlow, owner; William R. Marlow’s widow, bookkeeper at Austin Metal & Iron Co. 1935 Address not listed Historical Information The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 08 Apr 1935: 3. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 08 Oct 1936: 13. 20.0 – 5 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 12 June 1938: 18. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 16 July 1961: E6.