07.0 - 2514 Wooldridge Dr — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION PERMITS IN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICTS SEPTEMBER 3, 2025 PR-2025-088150; GF-2025-091771 OLD WEST AUSTIN NATIONAL REGISTER HISTORIC DISTRICT 2514 WOOLDRIDGE DRIVE 7 – 1 PROPOSAL Demolish a ca. 1938 building. ARCHITECTURE Two-story Georgian Revival house with curved portico, symmetrical shuttered windows, brick veneer, and a side-gabled roof with added dormers. RESEARCH The house at 2514 Wooldridge Drive was constructed in 1938 for Clarence McCullough and his family. McCullough, who began his career as assistant cashier at the Security Trust company, slowly rose in prominence as a banker. Eventually, he partnered with rancher and fellow real estate broker Dr. Joseph Koenig to develop the Violet Crown Heights subdivisions between 1946 and 1948, lending Koenig’s name to one of its major thoroughfares. In 1950 and 1951, they built the adjacent Violet Crown Shopping Center. “On the northwest corner of North Lamar and Brentwood Street,” notes Violet Crown historian and resident Susan Burneson, “the center was in the heart of Violet Crown Heights, Section 1.”1 In spring 2025, KUT journalist Juan Garcia and Burneson discussed the development of Austin’s most well-known midcentury center: The violet crown nickname [was] used in real estate marketing throughout the early 20th century, but few had the impact Dr. Joe Koenig and Clarence McCullough had when they started selling land in what used to be north Austin in the ‘40s…Right along [Violet Crown Heights], the pair built a shopping center in 1951. They called it the Violet Crown Shopping Center, which had a handful of violet-crown-themed businesses…immortalized as “The Emporium” in Richard Linklater’s coming-of-age film Dazed and Confused. 2 McCullough and Koenig maintained offices at the Violet Crown Shopping Center. Clarence McCullough’s son, who lived at 2514 Wooldridge Drive throughout his time at the University of Texas, later became the center’s manager.3 McCullough and his wife, Ruth, lived at the house on Wooldridge Drive until at least the 1980s. PROPERTY EVALUATION The property contributes to the Old West Austin National Register district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate integrity. Windows have been replaced, and a rear second-floor addition was constructed in 1991; the front façade dormers may have been added at this time. 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 Georgian Revival style. b. Historical association. The property is associated with Clarence McCullough, developer of Violet Crown Heights and the famed Violet Crown shopping center. 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 does not appear to be a significant natural or designed landscape with artistic, aesthetic, cultural, or historical value to the city. 1 Burneson, Susan. “Violet Crown Voices,” 2012: https://violetcrownvoices.com/2012/neighbors-matter-part-3 2 Garcia, Juan. “Why are so many places in Austin named Violet Crown?” KUT News, 2025: https://www.kut.org/2025-04-10/austin-tx-violet-crown- name-places 3 Burneson, 2012. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Consider whether McCullough’s role as co-developer of the Violet Crown Heights neighborhood and Violet Crown Shopping Center have sufficient impact on Austin’s history to offset the building’s integrity issues when evaluating for landmark eligibility. If not, encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, then relocation or deconstruction and salvage, but approve the demolition permit application upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. Demolition permits in National Register districts may not be released until the Historic Landmark Commission has reviewed plans for new construction. 7 – 2 LOCATION MAP 7 – 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION Photos 7 – 4 7 – 5 Occupancy History City Directory Research, August 2025 Demolition permit application, 2025 1959 Clarence and Ruth McCullough, owners – real estate, 402 Capital National Bank building Charles E. McCullough – student 1955 Clarence and Ruth McCullough, owners – real estate, 1206 Capital National Bank building Charles E. McCullough – student Clarence and Ruth McCullough, owners – real estate, Capital National Bank building and building manager, Majik Ironer Inc. Charles E. McCullough – student 7 – 6 Clarence and Ruth McCullough, owners – real estate, Capital National Bank Elsie Fisher – maid Bill Fielder – student UT M. Edward Fielder – student, UT Clarence and Ruth McCullough, owners – Craven’s & McCullough Mary Jo Kajs – domestic worker Clarence and Ruth McCullough, owners – receiver, Security Trust Co. Aline Capps – housekeeper 1952 1947 1941 1939 Historical Information The Statesman (1916-1921); Austin, Tex.. 31 Oct 1920: A1. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 10 Jan 1928: 1 7 – 7 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 09 Jan 1929: 3. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 05 June 1938: 8. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 12 Feb 1939: 14. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 28 Sep 1941: A1. 7 – 8 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 09 Nov 1946: 3. 7 – 9 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 17 Feb 1948: 2. 7 – 10 J D; W H.  The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 14 Jan 1948: 1. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 09 Apr 1968: 23 7 – 11 Burneson, Susan. Violet Crown Voices, 2012: https://violetcrownvoices.com/2012/neighbors-matter-part-3 7 – 12 Garcia, Juan. “Why are so many places in Austin named Violet Crown?” KUT News, 2025: https://www.kut.org/2025-04- 10/austin-tx-violet-crown-name-places Permits Sewer tap permit, 1938