12.0 - 1109 Travis Heights Blvd — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Permits in National Register Historic Districts June 3, 2026 PR-2026-053670 Travis Heights-Fairview Park Historic District 1109 Travis Heights Boulevard 12 – 1 Proposal Demolish a ca. 1920 house. Architecture This American Foursquare house with Prairie School stylistic influences was constructed around 1920. The two- story house has a low-pitched hipped roof with broad overhangs. The full-width, hipped-roof porch has a long, open span supported at the corners by large square columns. The second floor had recessed corners that been infilled and converted to interior space. Much of the house has been covered with aluminum siding. Wood windows appear throughout the building, with larger, multi-lite fixtures appearing at the front elevation and simpler 1-over-1 units more common at the sides and rear. Research Early owners of this ca. 1920 house were Elmer & Cora Young. E. E. Young was co-owner of an automotive dealership, Hart & Young, Willys-Knight and Overland Austin Agency; he later bought out his partner and continued operation under his name. He served as president of the local automobile dealers’ association. Shortly before his death in 1928, Young became secretary of the Stacy Realty Company, developer of the Travis Heights neighborhood. Later owners included Charles & Katherine Brunner, who owned the house from 1929 until 1947. Charles Brunner operated a jewelry business on East Sixth St. beginning in the late 1890s. After his death in 1933, Katherine Brunner continued to run the jewelry store for another ten years. It appears that she leased out the house following her husband’s death but moved back in around 1941. In the 1950s, the house was occupied by Robert B. and Gwendolyn Hill. Robert Hill was a foreman at the Calcasieu Lumber Company. Department Comments A demolition permit for this property was originally referred to HLC in July 2019, and the case was subsequently withdrawn. Meeting minutes are available here: https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=325930. Per city code § 25-11-213 (G)(4), the Historic Landmark Commission has 180 days to review demolition permits in National Register historic districts starting from the date the application was submitted. This period is set to time out on October 27, 2026. Property Evaluation The property contributes to the Travis Heights-Fairview Park National Register district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate 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 American Foursquare architecture. 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. 12 – 2 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. The Historic Landmark Commission must review new construction drawings prior to permit release in National Register Historic Districts. Location Map 12 – 3 Property Information Photos 12 – 4 Occupancy History City Directory Research, May 2026 Demolition application, 2026 1959 1957 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 1939 1937 1935 1932 Ray and Dorothy Walker, renters; Actuary 303 Perry-Brooks Building Robert & Gwendolyn Hill, renters; Foreman at Calcasieu Lumber Same as above Same as above Vacant Kath Brunner (widow of Charles), owner; Brunner’s Jewelry Store (133 E. 6th St.) Same as above Same as above Enos & Ruby Cape, renters; assistant engineer State Highway Department Same as above Same as above Charles and Kath Brunner, owners, jewelers at Brunner’s Jewelry Store Same as above Elmer E. and Cora Young, owners; Hart & Young Automobiles (305 E. 5th St) 12 – 5 Same as above Same as above Same as above Address not listed 1929 1927 1924 1922 1920 1918 Historical Information The Austin Statesman; Austin, Tex.. 13 April 1924 (left) & The Austin American; Austin, Tex.. 26 February 1928 (right) 12 – 6 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 27 May 1934: 4. Charles J. Brunner obituary, The Austin American, 7/23/1933 (left) & Mrs. Kate H. Brunner obituary, The Austin Statesman, 2/2/1963 (right) 12 – 7 Photo of 1109 Travis Heights Blvd. featured in article on natural gas service, The Austin American, August 15, 1926 Permits 12 – 8 Water service permit, 1925