19.0 - 812 Park Blvd — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Demolition and Relocation Permits December 3, 2025 PR-2025-139336 812 Park Boulevard 19 – 1 Proposal Demolish a ca. 1937 building. Architecture This single-story, stone-clad house was constructed around 1937 but contains some design features that would become common to the ranch style commonly seen in many other parts of Austin. The low, horizontal form, with two separate front facing gables that bookend a long, low side gabled roof form, as well as the picture window alongside otherwise horizontally oriented fenestration, and the L-shaped plan would all become features of later developments, but here are combined with a white stone cladding and covered entryway that are more common to the older houses found on the rest of Park Boulevard. Decorative attic vents and two small, vertical windows on the front elevation appear to have embedded a slight Tudor Revival influence as well. Research The house was originally built for Ralph & Elizabeth Button of Button Ice Cream Company, which was developing into a larger organization after being founded some years before. However, this changed with the passing of Ralph Button in 1943, after which sole ownership passed to Elizabeth and after to Ralph Jr., who worked as a driver. Elton & Millo Marcum purchased the property after, and lived there for several years, adding on to the footprint in 1962. Property Evaluation The 2021 North Loop-Hancock-Boggy Creek historic resource survey lists the property as a medium priority and eligible as a contributing resource to a potential Park Boulevard 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 for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of an early ranch-inspired residence in this area of the city. 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 Encourage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse, relocation, or deconstruction and salvage over demolition, but approve the demolition permit application upon completion of a City of Austin Documentation Package. Location Map 19 – 2 Property Information Photos 19 – 3 Demolition permit application, 2025 Google Streetview, 2019 19 – 4 Occupancy History City Directory Research, November 2025 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 1940 1939 Elton & Millo Marcum, owners; manager at Jack Stableford Pontiac Same as above Same as above Same as above, with Ruth Lanier, renter; nurse Ralph Button Jr., owner; driver Elizabeth Button, owner; widow, with Ralph Button; student at UT Ralph & Elizabeth Button, owners; Button Ice Cream Company Same as above Address not listed Historical Information The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Sep 23, 1943: 17. 19 – 5 The Austin American (1914-1973); Dec 21, 1952: C7 The Austin American (1914-1973); Sep 6, 1959: 18. Permits 19 – 6 Water service permit, 1938 Permit for a rear addition, 1962