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HomeMy WebLinkAbout35-HCPi DATE: November 13, 1995 TO: Historic Landmark Commission FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Director SUBJECT: Consider an application for an HC-L (Historic -Cultural Landmark Preservation Designation) for the "J.L. Eisen" house located at 2301 Long in the Oaks Historic District, zoned RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) FELE: 35-HC STAFF REPORT The Planning Director recommends approval of this request. The application meets eight of the ten criteria required for possible approval as per Sec. 30-39. The property owners have submitted this request for the consideration of the Historic Landmark Commission. A Joint Public Hearing will be held by the Planning Commission and City Council on November 20, 1995 to hear this request. The house was home to J.L. Eisen, President of Sampson Steel Co., an early twentieth century Beaumont company still in operation. The house, built in 1937-38, was designed by the pro; !.isnent Beaumont architectural firm of Stone and Pitts. The New Orleans or Monterrey style home is one of the major contributing structures in the Oaks Historic District. Exhibits are attached. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION Notices Mailed to Property Owners: 16 Responses in Favor: Responses in Opposition: LEGAL DESCREMON FOR ORDINANCE PURPOSES ] Being all of Lots 1 and 2 and East 1/2 of 3, Block 17, Averill Addition, containing 0.40 acres more or less. GENERAL INFORMATIOMPUBLIC UTILITIES APPLICANT: Mike and June O'Rear PROPERTY OWNER: Same LOCATION: LEGAL DESCRIPTION: EXISTING ZONING: PROPERTY SIZE: EXISTING LAND USES: FLOOD HAZARD ZONE: SURROUNDING LAND USES: NORTH: Residential EAST: Vacant/Residential SOUTH: Residential WEST: Residential COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: OTHER PHYSICAL FEATURES: STREETS: 2301 Long Avenue Lots 1, 2 and East 1/2 of 3, Block 17, AverilI Addition RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) .40 acres, more or less Single Family Residence C (Minimal) SURROUNDING ZONING: RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Dwelling) RS RS Oonservation and Revitalization House constructed 1937-38. Long Avenue is a 60' residential right-of-way with a 30' wide pavement. Seventh St. is a 60' collector right-of-way with a 30' wide pavement. GENERAL INFORMATIOMUBLIC UTILITIES continued DRAINAGE: WATER: SANITARY SEWER FIRE PROTECTION: ADEQUACY OF SERVICE: ANALYSIS There is a 36" storm sewer in Long and a 15" storm sewer in Seventh. An 8" water line is in Long and a 6" water line is in Seventh. There is a 36" sanitary sewer line in Long and an 8" sanitary sewer line in Seventh. Fire protection is provided by Station #7, 1700 McFaddin Avenue. Services and utilities are adequate. The Historic Landmark Commission, the Planning Commission and the City Council shall consider, but not be limited to, one or more of the following criteria in establishing an HC-L, Historic -Cultural Landmark Preservation Designation: a. Existing or proposed recognition as a National Historic Landmark, or Texas Historic Landmark, or entry or proposed entry into the National Register of Historic Places; b. Existence of distinguishing characteristics of an arci+:i€�.ctural type or specimen, or of the social, economic, or political heritage of City; C. Identification as the work of a designer, architect, or builder whose work has influenced the growth or development of the City; d. Embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represent a significant architectural innovation or an outstanding example of a particular historical, architectural or other cultural style or period; e. Relationship to other buildings, structures, or places which are eligible for preservation as historic places; f. Exemplification of the cultural, economic, social, ethnic, or historical heritage of the City, County, State or Nation; g. Location as the site of a significant historical event; h. Listing in the S.P.A.R.E. Beaumont Survey; i. Identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the culture or development of the City, County, State or Nation; and j. A building, structure, or place that because of its location has become of historic or cultural value to a neighborhood or community. Staff is of the opinion that the home at 2301 Long Avenue meets and complies with eight of the ten listed criteria. Criteria b. New Orleans or Monterrey style, c. 1937-38. Criteria c. This home was designed by the architectural firm of Stone and Pitts. This firm was formed through a partnership between Fred Stone and L.W. Pitts in 1934. Before the partnership, Mr. Stone designed the Jefferson County Courthouse and the Jack Brooks Federal Building and post office. The firm of Stone and Pitts designed the Jefferson County Annex in Port Arthur; the addition to the downtown YMCA; the annex office of Mobil Company, Beaumont; and the downtown White House Department Store. Criteria d. The New Orleans or Monterrey styled house has an abundance of "grape and ivy" pattern heavy wrought iron on three balconies, the side entrance and on the back of the house. The interior includes a circular stairway with the original gilded metal railings and heavy crown molding in many of the rooms. This home is built upon a reinforced concrete slab which is unusual for a residential structure built in the late thirties. Criteria e. This structure is located in the Oaks Historic District where a number of Stone and Pitts designed homes are located. This house is one of the major contributing structures in the Oaks Historic District. Criteria ' f. Ther major public -and private buildings designed by Stone and Pitts have had a major impact upon the cultural, social and economic life of the City. Criteria h. The house is listed in the 1991 S.P.A.R.E. Beaumont survey, Site No. 1683. Criteria i. Mr. J.L. Eisen, the president of Sampson Steel Co., built this home for his family. Mr. B. Sampson, founder of the Sampson Steel Co., was the father of Mr. Eisen's wife and lived with his daughter in this house. The Eisen family eventually sold this residence to Mr. Walter Casey and his wife Loretta Broussard Casey. Mr. Casey was the owner of the Crosby Hotel and Mrs. Casey was the daughter of the old line Broussard family, Criteria j. The house at 2301 Long is located within the Oaks Historic District and is valuable to that neighborhood. M. L. O'Rear & June Palmer O'Rear 2301 Long Avenue Beaumont, Texas 77702 Phone # (409) 832-8858 Landmark Commission City of Beaumont, Texas Ladies and Gentlemen: August 25, 1995 This is to serve as an application for a historical -cultural designation with the city of Beaumont, Texas. The requirements are to prepare this letter, provide necessary documentation concerning the criteria listed on the application, and submit the form with the appropriate fees. All of the anticipated needs are covered in this packet. Items a. through j. as listed in your Criteria follow: a. No plans to date to list with any other historic designation. b. Economic heritage of the city is distinguished in this residence. A leading business owner, Mr. J.L. Eisen, President of Sampson Steel Co. contracted to have his residence built. This Beaumont Co. was an early twentieth century company still in operation. Distinguishing architectural characteristics are most noteworthy. There is an abundant use of "grape and ivy" pattern heavy wrought iron on three balconys, the side entrance, and on the back of the house. There is also a circle stairway with original gilded metal railings. Even though this is a New Orleans style home in the front elevation, the Georgian style of perfect balance is seen even to the false fireplace chimney on the right side facing the front. Another distinguishing characteristic is the extensive crown molding that becomes more ornate and heavy as one prog °,<<e" from the dining room through the entry hall and into the living room. c. The hcs::.e was designed by the architectural firm of Stone and Pitts. Fred Stone and L.W. _ Pitts formed a partnership in Beaumont in 1934. Construction of this home was started in 1937. As examples of the impact of this firm on the Beaumont area a number of projects and points are listed. Before the partnership was formed, Mr. Stone designed the Jefferson County Court House and the Federal (Jack Brooks) Building and post office. After the partnership was formed, Stone and Pitts designed the Jefferson County Annex in Port Arthur; the addition to the downtown YMCA; the annex office at Mobil Oil, Beaumont; and in 1940 the White House Department Store on Orleans St. in downtown Beaumont. Following or during World War II the firm ceased to design residential structures. Other commercial structures include the American Embassy building in Mexico City in association with Brooks, Barr and Ass., the original St Elisabeth Hospital and First Scurety National Bank in association with Steinman Ass., the Labor Department office buildidng in Washington DC, numerous buildings at Lamar University and numerous Coca-Cola bottling plants. Some of the Coco -Cola plants were located in Beaumont, Port Arthur; Dallas; Denver, Colorado; and Jackson, Miss. Following the retirement of Mr. Stone the firm became Pitts, Mebane, and Phelps. Mr. Mike Mebane was an architect and Mr. Russell Phelps an engineer. The fum is currently operating from offices in Beaumont, Houston, and Austin. The name is now Budd, Beets, Hardin, and ' Kolflat. d. Embodiment of innovation in architectural design is demonstrated in the unusual application of a reinforced concrete slab on a residential structure in 1937. In 1992 this slab was determined to still be in sound condition. e. This structure is centered in the Oaks Historic District where a number of Stone and Pitts designed homes are located. Other structures of historic value within the district include the Weis home where the papers for Humble Oil Corporation were signed and McFaddin Ward home among others. f. The heritage to the city is that this is one of the premier homes in one of the early platted subdivisions. This subdivision which is currently part of the Oaks Historic District was an extension of the McFaddin and Averill Subdivision. g. The first committee meeting to decide whether to pursue and set a direction for preservation. This meeting set the direction for the event that consummated in the designation of the Oaks Historic District in 1993. h. This dwelling is listed in the S.P.A.R.E. Beaumont, survey. i. The president of Sampson Steel Co. Mr. J. L. Eisen had this home built for his family. Mr. B. Sampson lived with his daughter for a number of years in this residence. Mr. B. Sampson was the founder and owner of this large Beaumont based business until he turned it over to his son in law J. L. Eisen. The heritage of this business that continues to contribute to the Beaumont economy is that Mr. Eisen's two sons continue to run the company that includes six Eiseds now in the operation. The subsequent owner of the home was Walter Casey and his wife Loretta Broussard Casey. Mr. Casey owned the famous Crosby Hotel and was a past Neches River King in the fifties in addition to his fame as a public speaker. Mrs. Casey was the daughter of the old line Broussard family. Her home was the Broussard home that was on College St. When the home was demolished, the door hardware was used on our home. This hardware is deeply engraved brass. j. This is one of the anchor homes in the Oaks Historic District. Other areas of value are covered in items d.,f., g. and i. Enclosures in addition the requirements include the original plat, a photocopy of the home circa 1939 or 1944 from a Stone and Pitts brochure, a segmented copy cf the original house plans, and a photograph of the house as it exists today, with reportedly one of the prettiest landscaped yard around. We trust that this effort supplies most of the needs to obtain a meaningful hearing. Please advise if other information is needed or required. The most important thing is to truly preserve part of our history as narrated in the criteria above. Sincerely, wnmz June ORear �q o BEAUMONT, TEXAS HISTORIC SITES INVENTORY FORM - BEAUMONT HISTORICAL LANDMARK COMMISSION JEF 1. County JEFFERSON 5. USGS Quad No. 3094-111 Site No. 1683 City/Rural BEAUMONT BHT 6. Date: Factual Est. c. 1938 Name i Address 2301 Long Avenue _ „ _ 7. Architect/Builder Contractor 3. Owner James E. Quinn S. Style/Type _ — Monterrey Address 2301 Long Avenue. Beaumont 77702-1716 9. Original Use DOMESTIC -Single Dwelling 4. Block/Lot—_Av-erill Add. Lots 1-2 Block 17 SE ,L3 Present Use DOMESTIC -Single Dwelling 10. Description: Two story, 4-bay brick house, hipped asphalt shingle roof, exterior end bay chimney, recessed 2-bay central Porte cochere, 4 second story 6/9 shuttered sash windows, second story recessed porch with wrought iron posts, upper and lower balustrade, wrought iron faux balcony on 2 end windows of second story, wood front door with shuttered and arched transom in recessed porte cochere, 6/9 shuttered sash window with arched transom, 6/9 shuttered sash window on both ends of front facade, brick foundation. 11. Present Condition Good. House is wet( -maintained. 12. Significance: An uncommon house style built for an upper class family in Beaumont. 13. Relationship to .Site: Original 14. Bibliography Moved Date (Describe Original Site) 15. Informant 16. Recorder Leslie Sharp Date 07-01-91 PHOTO DATA Black and White 35 mm negative i YEAR DRUR ROLL FRME ROLL FRIE 91 16 30 to VIEW' N. Facade RECORDED W. Leslie Sharp IlWi1 DATE: 07-01-91 M•+r FILE 35-HC: A request for an HC-L Designation on NORTH - ..J A property located at 2301 Long St. vrs lI e APPLICANT: Michael and June O'Rear if'I I l! I ,J !r I7 ,r JI lr !/ •t lJ rr rs N n Aj r iIl I Ij� Jr N 77 p a r0 r, .. rs so I rt M r7 h M R IF i Ile , � r : • { J r to r SCALE 1/zoo ' SO I I ! rf l u ' ,o ;• I r I r i t i t � J� l i�$ q N i ,t N n r n ro I lr It to '. so is M AS-HLEY I g/! Y I II r r l / I r I• I! l I l i � 0 1 rJ r! is --I 9wCON� LONG � rs I" I" I^°LTr I F. I I. I, I • I l lr I I /A of arson+ - I . - I - I •�IrE HARRISON 9 I r rJ Jl „ � � r r � 7 � r � J � • ' r I I I •I ; . a r• I /�!E J. /7 71 i to At fr /! l4 I is IS l9lYlf�z1 • I - - 10're - - jI � ] QIO a9 / do - - - 1 k •` i r 7. 7s rr r> r. I rr m rr rr ' r! rf r! •v'� NORTH 1 i I 5