19.0 - 1906 S L Davis Ave — original pdf

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HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Demolition and Relocation Permits November 4, 2026 PR-2026-131502 1906 S L Davis Avenue 19 – 1 Proposal Demolish a ca. 1935 main house and a ca. 1955 rear house. Architecture This property features Craftsman details, including a large front gable, deep front porch that wraps around the corner of the building, and wide chimney at the front of the house that tapers as it rises. The gable end roof also features exposed rafter tails. The house is set above grade on an elevated foundation to level the floor above a sloping site. Windows appear to be original and in good condition. Permit records indicate a rear addition was constructed around 1959, but it is minimally visible from the street. The house retains good integrity and is an intact example of Craftsman architecture in East Austin. At the rear of the property, a single-story brick duplex is present. It features asbestos panel siding and a shallow pitched hipped roof. Permit records indicate structures being moved onto the site, listed as either 1156 or 1158 Poquito Street, in 1949 and 1952. This structure is in decent but repairable condition. Research City directory listings for this property go back to at least 1900, with occupants listed as renters with a high frequency of turnover. Most of these occupants are listed as African-American, who were described as laborers, laundresses, and domestic workers. Permit records listed in local newspapers indicate construction activity around 1935, including construction of a box residence and garage. This was during the ownership of Plato & Lillie Clayton, who had owned the property since around 1927. Plato Crayton worked as an elevator operator in downtown Austin, first at the Old Federal Building and then the General Services Administration building until his retirement in 1970. Plato and Lillie would have eight children together, several of whom would serve in the armed services. They resided at the address together for many decades until Lillie’s death in 1993, owning the property for almost 70 years. Plato Crayton passed away shortly after around 1996. Department Comments This application will time out on December 18, 2027. Property Evaluation The 2016 East Austin historic resource survey lists the property as eligible as a local landmark, as well as individually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The rear structure facing Poquito Street is also listed in the same survey, but is not recommended as an individual or contributing resource to a historic district. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain integrity. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff have evaluated the property and determined that it may meet two criteria for landmark designation: a. Architecture. The building is a good example of Craftsman architecture in East Austin. b. Historical association. The property may appear to have significant historical associations as an example of development patterns in East Austin, specifically of long time occupants who lived at the address both before and after the 1928 Austin City Plan. 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 may 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. 19 – 2 Staff Recommendation Consider initiation of historic zoning. Should the Commission find that the property meets two of the following criteria: architecture, historical associations, and community value, initiate historic zoning. Otherwise, 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 – 3 Property Information Photos 19 – 4 Google Streetview, 2024 19 – 5 Occupancy History City Directory Research, October 2026 1996 1992 Plato Crayton (widow of Lillie), owner; retired Plato & Lillie Crayton, owners; retired 1988-89 Same as above 1985-86 Same as above 1983 1980 1978 1976 1974 1972 1970 1968 1966 1964 1962 1959 1955 1952 1949 1947 1944 1941 1939 1935 1932 1929 1927 1924 1922 1920 1918 1916 1914 Same as above Same as above Same as above, now working as a janitor at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church Same as above Same as above Same as above, now listed as retired Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above, now working as an elevator operator at General Services Administration Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above, now working as a porter Same as above Same as above Same as above, now working as an elevator operator at Old Federal Building Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Same as above Robert Turner, renter Robert & Lela Johnson, renters; laborer at Merchants Transfer Leanna Houston, renter; laundress William & Josephine Steen, owners; laborer Same as above Josephine Steen, owner; domestic worker 1912 1909 1906 1902 Virgil Oliver, renter; laborer Charles Bass, renter; laborer William Steen, renter; laborer Same as above Sanborn Maps 19 – 6 Sanborn map, 1935 19 – 7 Historical Information Sanborn map, 1962. Austin American Statesman, January 15, 1953 19 – 8 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 28 Dec 1954: 14. The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 30 Oct 1961: 19. 19 – 9 The Austin Statesman (1921-1973); Austin, Tex.. 04 Jan 1965: 12. Austin American-Statesman, August 3, 1975. 36 Austin American-Statesman, August 4, 1985. 58. 19 – 10 Austin American-Statesman, January 9, 1994. 20. Permits – 1906 Washington Ave. 19 – 11 Austin American-Statesman, October 21, 1934. The Austin American, April 22, 1935. Austin American-Statesman, July 5, 1936. Permit for rear addition, 1959 19 – 12 Water service permit, 1963 Permits – 1156-58 Poquito St. Permit for relocation of building onto lot, 1949 19 – 13 Permit for relocation of building onto lot, 1952 Repair permit for duplex, 1980