04.c - C14H-2025-0095 - public comment — original pdf

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September 30, 2025 RE: Calhoun House Historic Landmark Designation Dear Chair Heimsath, Vice Chair Evans, and members of the Austin Historic Landmark Commission, Preservation Austin exists to empower Austinites to shape a more inclusive, resilient, and meaningful community culture through preservation. We write today in support of historic designation for 2401 Givens Avenue, also known as the Calhoun House, for its historic associations and community value. This home and the people who lived there embody the invaluable contributions Black Austinites made to our city during the 20th and 21st centuries. We are proud to partner with the home’s owner, our friend Ms. Patricia Calhoun, in preparing this much-deserved nomination. The Calhoun House was built in 1959 by Theodore “T.C.” Calhoun and Thelma Dotson Calhoun in the Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross neighborhood, one of Austin’s first suburban developments built by and for Black Austinites during segregation. The Calhouns were educators and civic leaders in Austin’s Black community during the mid-twentieth century, when “separate but equal” policies hindered Black prosperity. Mr. Calhoun was the longtime principal of Kealing Middle School, Austin’s only middle school for Black students. Mrs. Calhoun was a Jeanes supervisor for segregated rural schools and later a reading specialist. Both were active leaders of Ebenezer Third Baptist Church and held significant civic roles, including with the Austin Negro Chamber of Commerce and the Teacher’s State Association of Texas. T.C. and Thelma Calhoun created an enduring legacy and helped build community for Black Austinites, establishing a tradition of excellence in education and service that marks an inspiring chapter in Austin’s history. Their leadership lives on in their daughter Pat, who sees the Calhoun House as her personal legacy. Among her many accomplishments, Pat was a leader in the grassroots effort to designate Rogers-Washington-Holy Cross as a historic district and preserve this remarkable community’s story. Preservation Austin is honored to call Pat our partner and friend of nearly a decade. From early support for the historic district effort, to our documentary that tells the story of this incredible neighborhood, Pat’s partnership and generosity have made an indelible impact on our organization. We are thrilled and proud to support the designation of the Calhoun House as a City of Austin Landmark. Thank you for your consideration and your service to the City of Austin. Sincerely, Miriam Conner, President