HomeMy WebLinkAbout45-HCDATE: July 14, 2003
TO: Historic Landmark Commission
FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Manager
SUBJECT: Request for a an HC-L (Historic Cultural -Landmark Preservation Designation).
FILE: 45-HC
STAFF REPORT
The Planning Manager recommends approval of the historic designation,
Patricia Willard, the applicant, is requesting that the home at 1325 Gladys be designated as a
City of Beaumont historic site.
This property is the homestead of Elmo R. Willard. Built in 1927, Ms. Willard states that it
was the first two story brick home built and owned by an African American family in
i Beaumont.
Mr. Willard and his son, Elmo Willard, Jr., were businessmen and landowners. The family
owned and operated a funeral home, the Willard and Willard Funeral Home, on Forsythe for
several decades. The Willards owned a number of properties in the downtown area and well
as in other parts of the city.
Elmo R. Willard, III was born in the homestead. He attended Beaumont public schools and
went on to graduate from Fisk University. In 1954, he earned his law degree from Howard
University Law School in Washington, D.C. He returned to Beaumont to practice law for 37
years. During that time, he and his law partner made a difference in the lives of all citizens in
Beaumont by desegregating all public facilities. To recognize Mr. Willard's efforts in the
struggle for civil rights, a new city library that opened in 1998 was named in his honor.
The house is listed in the 1990 SPARE Beaumont Survey. It is of the Vernacular Tudor
Revival style. Ms. Willard states that legend has it that this home was such a unique structure
for an African American family during that time that spectators took their lunch to the site and
watched the construction from across the street.
Exhibits are attached..
y PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
Notices mailed to property owners 22
Responses in Favor . Responses in Opposition
LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR ORDINANCES PURPOSES
Being Lots 2 & 3, Block 26, Jirou Addition, City of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas,
containing 0.32 acres, more or less.