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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Demolition and Relocation Permits October 7, 2026 PR-2026-110851; GF-2026-118223 2705 E. 2nd Street 23 – 1 Proposal Demolish a pre-1898 house moved onto the lot in 1949 from 2805 Nueces Street. Architecture One-story wing-and-gable house with horizontal siding, 1:1 windows, and double front doors. A two-story addition has been constructed at the rear of the house. Research The main portion of the house at 2705 E. 2nd Street was built during or before 1898 at 2805 Nueces Street. Its earliest occupants appear to have been relatively short-term renters. The first long-term owners, Kate and Rufus Smith, began renting out rooms to UT students during the 1920s and 1930s; by 1926 it was described as a “rooming house” in the Austin Statesman.1 In the late 1930s, they sold the home to dressmaker Bernice Cluck, who supplemented her income as a seamstress by greatly expanding the rental operation. One of Mrs. Cluck’s longer-term tenants was Charles B. Normann, notable Texas artist and director of the Texas School of Fine Arts. In 1939, Normann even operated an art store with business partner and future Assistant Attorney General Joe Fultz2 from the house at 2805 Nueces Street. In 1946, Bernice Cluck sold the property to Fultz. Frank C. Hernandez purchased and moved the house to its current location on E. 2nd Street in 1949. With the Hernandez family, it returned to its original use as a single-family home. They constructed an addition to the rear of the building in 1956, and it remained in the family for 77 years until it was sold in July of 2026.3 Department Comments This item first appears on the October 7, 2026 agenda of the Historic Landmark Commission. The Commission’s 75- day timeline for action will elapse on December 21, 2026. Property Evaluation The 2016 East Austin survey lists the property as contributing to potential local and National Register districts. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain some integrity to its post-1949 period of significance at this address. Fenestration has been altered, but original and period-of-significance openings remain. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff have evaluated the property and determined that it does not meet two criteria for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building does not appear to convey architectural significance. b. Historical association. When it was at its original location, the property was associated with Charles Normann, notable Texas artist and director of the Texas School of Fine Arts. At its current address, it was associated with the Hernandez family for nearly eighty years. c. Archaeology. The property was not evaluated for its potential to yield significant data concerning the human history or prehistory of the region. 1 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 27 Oct 1926: 10. 2 https://navasotanews.com/fultz-family-honored-month/, https://fultzlaw.com/firm-history/ 3 https://travis.prodigycad.com/property-detail/189667/2026 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 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. 23 – 2 Location Map 23 – 3 Property Information Photos 23 – 4 23 – 5 Demolition permit application, 2026 https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2705-E-2nd-St_Austin_TX_78702_M73848-14976 Occupancy History City Directory Research, September 2026 1959 1955 1952 1949 1944 1941 Frank C. Hernandez, owner Frank C. and Consuelo Hernandez, owners – production clerk, HEB Food Stores No. 9 Frank C. and Consuelo Hernandez, owners – spotter, George Wesley Cleaners The house was moved from 2805 Nueces Street by Frank C. Hernandez after Bernice Cluck sold the lot to Joe Fultz in 1946. Earlier directory entries are for 2805 Nueces Street. Nellie Donaldson, renter – stenographer, State Dept. of Public Safety Mrs. B.A. Cluck, owner– clerk Betty J. Ferrell, renter – bookkeeper, Austin National Bank Ruby Geren, renter – Greyhound Lines Mrs. Arlene Huddle, renter – waiter Charles B. Norman – art director Mrs. Bernice A. Cluck, owner– dressmaker Kenneth Cluck, renter – student Delia Currence, renter – waiter Samuel Hawes, renter – student Mrs. Dickie Hill, renter – bookkeeper Mrs. Arlene W. Huddle, renter – waiter Charles B. Nermann, renter – teacher 23 – 6 1939 1932 1927 1924 1922 1920 1918 1914 1909 Adele Reed, renter – waiter Mrs. Bernice A. Cluck, owner– seamstress Emil Drake, renter – student Don Duplan, renter – student Floyd McKinzie, renter – clerk Emmett G. Jackson, renter – student Charles B. Normann – Normann & Fultz Art Shop, 2805 Nueces St. Rufus H. and Kate Smith, owners – driver Clifford C. and Agnes Crumbley, renters – barber Stephen and Mabel Quinn, renters – manager Robert Crow, renter Rufus H. and Kate Smith, owners – salesman James B. Smith, renter Joseph K. Wallis, renter – student Chester L. Crow, renter – student Rufus H. and Kate Smith, owners – salesman James B. Smith, renter Chester L. Crow, renter – student Robert H. and Kate Smith, owners – driver, Austin Laundry and Dry Cleaning Co. Herman and Gertrude Pais, owners – painter, P.W. Powell Miss Frances Pais Matthew Ford, renter Miss Annie Shafer, renter – stenographer Annie Shafer – widow of Jacob T. Shafer William J. McIntosh Robert C. Symington – attorney Miss Edith C. Symington – tutor in Greek and Latin, UT 1903 Henry J. Bohlender, renter – clerk, Scarbrough & Hicks Historical Information 1922 Sanborn map 23 – 7 Austin Daily Statesman (1891-1902); Austin, Tex.. 27 Mar 1898: 6. The Austin Statesman (1902-1915); Austin, Tex.. 15 Sep 1905: 8. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 27 Oct 1926: 10. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 06 Aug 1939: A7. 23 – 8 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 12 Nov 1939: 18. 23 – 9 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 10 Feb 1942: 5. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 12 Nov 1954: 15. The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 23 Oct 1955: A14 The Austin American (1914-1973); Austin, Tex.. 15 Mar 1964: A6. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 08 Feb 1971: 10. 23 – 10 Kendall Curlee, “Normann, Charles Berkeley,” Handbook of Texas Online,://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/normann- charles-berkeley. Permits 23 – 11