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HomeMy WebLinkAbout45-HCDATE: July 21, 2003 TO: City Council and Planning Commission FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Manager i I SUBJECT: Request for a an HC-L (Historic Cultural -Landmark Preservation Designation). FILE: 45-HC NOTE: On July 14, 2003, the Historic Landmark Commission voted to recommend approval of 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 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, lie 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. 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. PPXKC4'Ia1A. Walcwdl May 28, 2003 The Historical Landmark Commission The Planning Commission The City Council City of Beaumont Beaumont, Texas 77701 Dear Commissions and Council: I am requesting that the Elmo R. Willard homestead, located at t325 Gladys Street in Beaumont, Texas, be considered for an historical -cultural landmark designation. For your information, I have enclosed a description of the home, as well as pertinent information concerning the Willard family. Also enclosed are an application for amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and a check l for the application fee in the amount of $200.00. The Willard homestead is one I feet the City of Beaumont can be proud to designate as an historical landmark. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely, �, 'oe Patricia A. Willard 2835 PaIesV&YteSt;-aet 13aa"+ncn�, 7e4ccw 77701 Elmo R. Willard Homestead 1325 Gladys Street Beaumont, Texas 77701 Built in 1927 76 Years Old--2 Story Brick First 2 story brick home built and owned by an African American family in Beaumont, Texas Legend has it that this 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. The original facade is intact. Improvements, of course, have been made through the years but nothing that has changed the home from its initial character or design. Hardwood floors, varnished woodwork and trim and other amenities unique to that era have been retained through proper upkeep and maintenance. Elmo R. Willard and Elmo R. Willard, Jr. were businessmen and landowners. Other family members were educators in Beaumont and New York City. The family owned and operated a funeral home, Willard & Willard Funeral Home, on Forsythe St. for several decades. All of the land on the west side of the block in which the funeral home was located belonged to the Willards, as well as land further north on Forsythe and east on Neches. The land on which Gus Mayer, a women's specialty store in downtown Beaumont, was built vas purchased from the Willards as was other property in that general vicinity. Real estate ownership encompassed not only downtown locations but was widespread throughout the city, which in many instances, was a first for an African American family. Elmo R. Willard, 111, Esq. was born in the homestead. He attended Beaumont public schools. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1954 he was awarded his law degree from Howard University Law School in Washington, D.C., and returned to Beaumont, where he practiced law for thirty-seven 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 honor their untiring efforts in the struggle for civil rights, a library for each one was built by the City of Beaumont. The Elmo R. Willard, I I I Branch Library opened in 1998 and is located at 3590 E. Lucas. Architectural Alliance, Incorporated 6654 Phelan Blvd, Beaumont, Tx 77706 409/866-7196 Fax 409/866-17A5 June 27, 2003 Beaumont Historical Landmark Commission Beaumont Planning Commission Beaumont City Council City of Beaumont P.O. Box 3827 Beaumont. TX 77704 Ref: Historical -Landmark Designation - 1325 Gladys Street Dear Member of Commissions and Council: With honor, I recommend to you the residence, located at 1325 Gladys Street, for designation of a Historical -Cultural Landmark. You have previously been advised by Ms. Patricia Willard as to the historical significance of the home as it was the first masonry two story house to be constructed for an African American family in Beaumont, The Elmo R. Willard Homestead (as it is often referred) was owned by a family of business people and educators. It was this very family that led the battle for Civil Rights to be extended to all residents of Beaumont. The historical prominence of this family's legacy and involvement in the development of the City of Beaumont alone sets this residence in position to be considered as a Historical -Cultural Landmark, Another valuable component to the consideration of this special designation is: As an architect, I am aware of the distinction that certain structures carry within various neighborhoods and districts. The Willard residence was, and continues to be, a viable part of Gladys Street and downtown Beaumont which commenced the day that construction first began. For an African American family to build such an affluent home in this neighborhood, marked the beginning of the recognition of African Americans as significant members of the community. It was that significance that caused a community to congregate together to witness the construction of this 1927 Historical Masonry Williamsburg style home. The massing is simple with strong symmetry, hipped roofs, double -hung wood windows and central -covered entry. The structure did not compete with the smaller Texas Victorian and bungalow style structures more frequently found in the neighborhood; however, it did set a new standard by the use of more Substantial construction materials. I appreciate your consideration of a designation for this property. Please feel free to contact me should you desire any additional information. With kindest ards, V't J. Rob Clark, A THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS Paul N. Hay, A.I.A. Ronald M. Jones, A.I.A. J. Rob Clark, A.I.A. sw mom" FILE 45-HC: Request for an HC-L (Historic Cultural - Landmark Preservation) Designation to be placed on the homestead of Elmo R. Willard. Location: 1325 Gladys Applicant: Patricia Willard 100 I.M11SIANA -110 AYE LOUISIANA AVE, 7w- Nk 4w 0 At 0 M 10 N 6LA9ys AYA 50 10 30 GLADYS AVE, 50 cr 4 j 0 z L a- 5 'V At a z 50 AVE V /500 EVALON AVE so x 30 W I i� J N T-45� Ar ♦ I Ir ri dr At "I of 4t 14 A, Lr AVE ASHLEY AVE, so 0 F 0 V EL io Co A LO AVE. 30 NORTH A& SCALE P= 200' tl I 7Z 4 as JL /.Zoo 0 0 15 14 I . County JEFFERSON 5. USGS Quad No. 3094-11_1 Site No. 590 City/Rural BEAUMONT EB!m9T 6. Date: Factual Est. c. 1919 2. Name Address 1325 Gladys 7. Architect/Builder Contractor S. owner Willard, Elmo R. III 8. Style/Type Vernacular Tudor Revival Address -550 Fannin Beaumont . 77701m3116 9, Original Use DOMESTIC/Sin g(e Dweitinq 4. Block/Lot Jirou Lots 2 and 3 Block 26 NE 1-4 Present Use DOMESTICLSingte Dwelling,-_ 10. Description: Two story frame structure with brick veneer. Hip roof with asphalt shingles. Exterior brick chimney:Soldier course across roof line. Two sets of three one -over -one sash. One set of two one -over -one sash. One one -over -one sash. All windows have diamond security grills over them. One story pedimented portico with half-timbering in gable and two square brick columns. Wood door with diamond light. Brick foundation. 11. Present Condition Good. Some settLina has caused the structure to fracture. 12. Significance: The house is an example of middle class housing built in the 1920's in Beaumont. 13. Relationship to Site: Original Moved - Date (Describe Original Site) 14. Bibliography 15. Informant 16. Recorder S. Skarbowski Date 05-30-90 PHOTO DATA Black and White 35 mm negative YEAR DRWR ROLL FRME ROLL FRKE C90 �03 1 21 to VIEW: RECORDED BY: S. Skarbowski DATE: GENERAL INFORMATION/PUBLIC UTILITIES APPLICANT: Patricia A. Willard PROPERTY OWNER: Estate of Elmo R. Willard, III LOCATION: 1325 Gladys EXISTING ZONING: GC -MD (General Commercial -Multiple Family Dwelling) District PROPERTY SIZE: 0.32 acres, more or less EXISTING LAND USES: Single Family Residence FLOOD HAZARD ZONE: "X" - Areas determined to be outside 500-year floodplain SURROUNDING LAND USES: SURROUNDING ZONING: NORTH: Residential, vacant GC -MD (General Commercial -Multiple Family Dwelling) EAST: Vacant GC -MD SOUTH: Residential, church, vacant RS (Residential Single Family Dwelling) District WEST: Funeral home GC -MD COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Conservation and Revitalization OTHER PHYSICAL FEATURES: None STREETS: Gladys Avenue - local street with 60' wide right-of-way and 30'pavement width. DRAINAGE: Curb and gutter WATER: 2" and 6" water lines SANITARY SEWER SERVICE: 6" sanitary sewer line FIRE PROTECTION: Fire protection is provided by Station #7, 1700 McFaddin. ADEQUACY OF SERVICE: Services are adequate.