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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHCL-D2DATE: August 18,1997 TO: Planning Commission and City Council FROM: Stephen C. Richardson, Planning Director SUBJECT: Request for the designation of a Historic -Cultural Landmark Preservation District for an area located approximately between First, Fourth and Eleventh Streets and Broadway and Smart Street. The properties are within the Averill, Palm Place, Oaks, Parkdale and McFaddin Second Additions. FILE: HCL-D2 STAFF REPORT Residents on the south side of Calder, in an area bound approximately by First, Fourth and Eleventh Streets and Broadway and Smart, have come to the City requesting that the Oaks Historic District be, expanded into this area. In June, 1993, the City of Beaumont created the Oaks Historic District in an area roughly bound by McFaddin and Beech and First and Eleventh. This historic district was the City's first. With the creation of the Oaks Historic District has come increased interest in the area on the part of property owners and investors. A recent article in the Beauniont Enteipi,ise states that the average residential purchase price has increased from $32.76 per square foot in 1992 to $33.21 per square foot in 1996. This historic designation is an overlay district. The underlying zoning and permitted uses will not be affected. Zoning in the area consists of RS (Single Family Dwelling), RM-H (Residential Multiple Family Highest Density), RCR (Residential Conservation Revitalization), GC -MD (General Comi-nercial-Multiple Family Dwelling) and 1-11 (Heavy Industrial). The historic district overlay will serve to facilitate preservation and increased property values through design controls. The extension of the Oaks Historic District Overlay to the south side of Calder is a logical step. Historically, both sides of Calder developed hand -in -hand. Today, this area north and south of Calder• is commonly known as Old Town and is unified through the Old Town Neighborhood Association. The area is primarily residential with scattered commercial uses along arterial and collector streets. A survey of historically significant and contributing structures on the south side counted over 200 structures within the area that qualified. Almost 700 structures were constructed prior to 1950. 199 structures are SPARE properties. In establishing a H-C - Historical -Cultural Landmark Preservation District, City Council, the Historic Landmark Commission and the Planning Commission shall consider, but not be limited to , one or more of the following criteria: 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 architectural type, or of the social, economic, or political heritage of the City-, C. Identification as the work of a designer, architect, or builder whose work influenced the growth or development of the City; d. Embodiment 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 eligible for historic preservation; Exemplification of the cultural, economic, social, ethnic, or historical heritage of the City, County, State or Nation; 9. Connected with a major historical event; h. Listing in the SPARE Beaumont Survey-, I. Identification with a person(s) who greatly added to the culture or development of the City, County, State or Nation; and A building, structure, or place through its location has become of historic or cultural value to a neighborhood or community. The area in question meets all of the standards outlined in Section 30-39, Subsection (C), regarding historical significance, Condition A is met because the area contains a number of properties that could qualify for the National Register or a Texas Historic Landmark, A report done by the Texas Department of Transportation in April, 1993, identified 69 properties just along that portion of Liberty and Laurel within the proposed district as eligible for listing in the National Register, There are a number of homes not yet designated but are eligible for HC (local) designations. Conditions B and D are met because the aforementioned properties manifest significant architectural characteristics and thus contribute to the social, economic and political heritage of the City. Condition C is met because many homes in the area were designed by notable architects who designed many noteworthy buildings in Beaumont. Just some of the names include Henry Mauer, William Watkin, U.C. Long, Frank T. Smith, Douglas Steinman, Fred Stone, L.W. Pitts and others. Condition E is met because of the fact that the many historical structures complement each other and illustrate entire eras of Beaumont history. Many of these contributing structures are eligible for historic designation and preservation. Conditions F and I are met because the founding families of this area exemplified an important cultural, economic, social and historical heritage of the city, county, state and nation. Condition G is met because part of the area was the first residential section west of the present-day Santa Fe Railroad tracks on Calder Ave. Even earlier history dates back to when the Atascosito, or Opelousas, Trail passed through this area, just south of what is now Liberty Avenue. First used by Native Americans, it later became one leg of the main east - west cattle route across Southeast Texas. Condition H is met because within the area are 199 structures listed in SPARE. Another 477 structures are SPARE eligible properties (pre-1950). Condition J is met because the district contains scores of contributing structures which, due to their proximity to historically significant structures, help define and strengthen the significance of the district as a whole. HCL-D2 was, approved by the Historic Landmark Commission at a public hearing on August 11, 1997 subject to deleting the properties on both sides of 4th St. and redrawing the district lines along the rear lot lines of said properties (see Map B), All businesses along 4th Street were excluded. An attempt was made, in most cases, to exclude separate lots under common ownership. Exhibit are attached. PUBLIC NOTIFICATION Notices mailed to property owners 957 . Responses in Favor . Responses in Opposition LEGAL DESCRIPTION FOR ORDINANCE PURPOSES Avcrill Addition, Blocks 1-2, Lots 1-26, Block 3, Lots 14-26, Block 22, Lots 6,7, E °/x of 8, 12-26, Blocks 23-26, Lots 1-26, Block 27, Lots 14-26, Black 46, Lots 1-1.0, 14-26, Block 47, Lots 1-26, Block 48, Lots 1-10, Block 49, Lots 8-14, 18-23, 28-30, Palm Place Addition, Block 1, Lots 1-3, Block 2, Lots 1-6, Oaks Addition, Block 1, Tr. 1-4, A, Block 2, Lots 1- 12, Blocks 3-6, Lots 1-18, Blocks 7-10, Lots 1-12, Blocks 1.1-14, Lots 1-18, Blocks 15-18, Lots 1-12, Blocks 19-20, Lots 1-1.8, Parkdale Addition, Block 3, Lots 1-9, Blocks 4-9, Lots 1-12, Block 10, Lots 3-12, Block 15, Lots 2-9, Blocks 16-21, Lots 1-12, Block 22, Lots 5, 6, A, Black 25, Lots 1-6, Block 26, Lots 1-8, Block 27, Lots 1-12, McFaddin Second Addition, Block 1, Lots 1-7, Block 3, Lots 7-10, Block 4, Lots 2-12, Blocks 5-9, Lots 1-12, Block 10, Lots 2-11, Block 11, Lots 4-6, Blacks 12-15, Lots 1-6, City of Beaumont, Jefferson County, Texas, encompassing 203.6 acres, more or less. k "t. � '1S ON0�3S ] _ ••� I _ Ed 'IS OHIHI 'IS HIHnOJ r ;' :•. a x i' I,E3--r t � e• e L. I k � — ! 'Is Hlx1s Y ,•'t e _ IS A3zljnq • r k n '� ,. � ] to ._ �- '� t •• � _ • u r 'ISFHIN3A3S _ 2 t u w . e n� 'IS HIHD13 _ g. L L M ne a 1 r 1 k }. LU •a a ! a s . • 1S 80Ili3dd14 HININ uj S k N uj 10 LL —77 �I -t41®'r k �=' • 3r1Y0 IlfiArl! JNwa trrv}nt Nn n t r e ' 1 00 .. ... .... 'IS OWHI is HiNnoi IL H131A co'is 141XIS t. 00 Is co LD Ono- lk 'DRAFT F)RAff The August 11, 1997 Historic Landmark Commission meeting was called to order by Acting Chairman Tracy Richardson. The following Commissioners were present: Commissioner Michael O'Rear Commissioner Marie Broussard Commissioner Tracy Richardson Commissioner Julia Levy Commissioner Cathy Belt Commissioner Shaheen Farah Commissioner Denise Shelton Commissioner Terrence Holmes Commissioner Dorcy Watler Staff present: Stephen Richardson, Secretary; Nancy Nicholas, Recording Secretary; Maria Trapp, Planning Technician Also present: Councilman -at -Large Andrew Cokinos Councilmember Lulu Smith APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES A motion was made by Michael O'Re:ar to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. The motion was seconded by Denise Shelton, Motion carried 8:0. fir ► PUBLIC HEARING Acting Chairman Tracy Richardson opened the Public Hearing on HLC D2. Steve Richardson presented the staff report regarding the request for the designation of a Historic -Cultural Landmark Preservation District for an area located approximately between First, Fourth and Eleventh Streets and Broadway and Smart street. The properties are within the Averill, Palm Place, Oaks, Parkdale and McFaddin Second Additions, There were 957 notices sent to property owners within the district and within 200' of the boundary lines. There were 45 responses received in favor of which 43 were within the district and two outside of the boundaries. Eight responses were received in opposition with six within the district and two outside the boundaries. Also received were 243 signatures on petitions in favor of the district. Sheryl Boyd made a presentation for the neighborhood association. There were several people who spoke in opposition of, in favor of, or had questions regarding the proposal, MINUTES Landmark Conunission Meeting August 11, 1997 Mr. Dick McDougal, 2575 Broadway, wanted more information with regards to regulations. Mr. Richardson asked that he come by the Planning Department and he will be given a copy of the regulations. Mir. Richardson also explained that this is the first of three meetings where this proposal will be considered. The proposal will be on the agenda at the next joint meeting of the Planning Commission and City Council on August 18, 1997, at 3:45 p.m. in City Council Chambers. City Council will then consider this item on August 26 or September 2, Mr. Charlie Wicnbaum, who owns a lot of property on Fourth Street, was concerned about the zoning regulations and being able to make changes in his property. He stated that he did not want his property to be within the proposed district. Jack Bertrand operates a business within 200' of the district. He questioned whether or not he would be affected by any of the Historic regulations. Mr. Richardson assured him he would not. Henry Fracht owns property within the proposed district and wanted to know what the benefits are in having a historical district, Mr. Tracy Richardson stated that some of the benefits are an increase in property values and improving the exterior of the homes, Mr. Steve Richardson then explained the need for a Certificate of Appropriateness in order to make changes to the exterior of the buildings, Commissioner Terrence Holmes arrived, Connie Riley, Rusk Street, stated that she was in favor of the district being created. She hopes that people who own property in the district will now take the time and money to improve their rental property and also to get to know the people that they rent to. David Bradley , 615 N. 5th Street, spoke, He stated that in order for the district to work will require a joint effort by the City and the residents. He also stated that the creation of the Historic District on the North Side of Calder gave them pride, incentive and security to improve their neighborhood.. He also stated that the rental property in the district had improved and things are much cleaner, Mark Paladino, 2265 Angelina, spoke in favor of the district and hope that several places would be cleaned up. He also requested more information, Mayor David Moore arrived. Alan Reeder spoke in favor of the district being created. Rhonda Buchanan, Angelina Street, wanted to know if the creation of a new district would have any effect on the speed limit around Central School. Mr. Richardson stated that the Historic Commission does not deal with speed limits. Mr. O'Rear suggested to Ms. Buchanan, that she attend a neighborhood meeting as the police attend these meetings and can address these needs. Josie Perio, 2400 Rusk spoke in favor of the proposal, Salena Valdez, 2225 South. She stated that she has been so discouraged that she does not want to live MINUTES Landmark Commission Meeting August 11, 1997 in Beaumont, wants to sell her property and leave town. She cited numerous examples of complaints and how none of them have been addressed by the police. Jack Carville, Old Town Realty, stated that the first district had all the problems that now face the proposed district, but because of its inception, it is now a nice place to live. Angic Bonin, stated that she is a landlord and hopes the district is established so that all the problems may be addressed. She stated that its takes the residents and not just the City to make things better and take pride in their neighborhood. Mr. Tracy Richardson asked Steve Richardson if it were possible to amend the boundaries of the proposed district and take Fourth Street out of the overlay. He stated that it was. Maxine Harris asked if she would have to remove her privacy fence, Mr. Steve Richardson assured her that she could keep the fence up, Dorcy Watler stated to the audience that demolition of homes is not permitted unless it is brought before the commission. Barbara Corville spoke in favor of restoring homes within the district, Darrell Troppy asked how long it would take to get a request for improvements to be approved, Steve Richardson explained the process of making a request and getting it approved before the commission, Chairman Richardson closed the Public Hearing. Michael O'Rcar made a motion to approve HCL-D2 with an amendment to delete the properties on both sides of Fourth Street by drawing the district lines along the rear lot lines of said properties. Marie Broussard seconded the motion. Motion was approved 9:0 Michael O'Rear encouraged everyone to attend their local neighborhood associations, Mayor Moore addressed the meeting. He asked that the various complaints he heard today, be directed to the City Council. He asked that these persons meet with him after the meeting so that their needs could be addressed, REGULAR MEETING I CLG Workshop - Lubbock: Steve Richardson reminded the Commission of the CLO Conference in Lubbock. Cathy Belt stated she would like to attend. 2) Revolving Loan Fund - Steve Richardson gave a status report on the Loan Fund. The amount available for loans is $5,467,67. Shalicen Farah asked about the status on the KCS Depot. Mr. Richardson stated that at the present time, there is no paying tenant. There is a possibility of a city organization utilizing the building. He also stated that Gulf Sierra Enterprises has started work on their facility. 030 Marcus Beaumont, TX 77708 August 6, 1997 To the Members of the Beaumont Historic Landmark Commission: The history of the neighborhood around Liberty and Laurel streets goes much further back than turn -of -the -century Beaumont. The Atascosito, or Opelousas, Trail passed just south of what is now Liberty Avenue. First used by Native Americans, it later became one leg of the main east -west route across Southeast Texas (as the Camino Real was to the north) and was used by cattlemen taking their -herds to the New Orleans market. Eventually, because it passed through the town of Liberty, it came to be called the Liberty Road (see map records of Jefferson County, Averill Addition to Beaumont, #131-132, recorded July 20, 1905). Many of the trees that line Laurel and Liberty streets grew up at the edge of this ancient trail while it was in active use, thus now delineating its, route. Most of the land just to the north of the Liberty Road lies ies on land originally granted by the Republic of Texas to, Noah Tevis, the first Anglo settler in the Beaumont area. William McFaddin later bought the land and made it part of his homeplace. The gate to the road leading through McFaddin's pasture to his house was said to have been located near Liberty Avenue and First Street. The historic tradition of a community instills pride in its citizens and enhances its value to the rest of the world. As a longtime Beaumont historian and lifetime supporter of the quality of life in our city, I can attest to the unquestionable historic value of the area around Laurel and Liberty streets and the appropriateness of including it as part of the -Oaks Historic District. Sincerely, Judith Lir ALIG-136-97 03 . 1 6 PrI :. 9 T. ts 14 07,284 894 0 P . OL. Bstcrical�Cultural Background of the Early Spreading of Beaumont West of the Santa Fe Rai"ad Tracks on Calder By Howard Perictne Brief History of the McPaddin, Averill, Oaks' Parhdale, and Palm Place Additionst The district that includes parts of the McFaddin and Averd] subdivisions and the subdivisions known as Oaks, Parkdale, and Palm Place meets several of the criteria set forth by the Historical Landmark Commission In Its application for historical cultural designation. The McFaddin Addition today, for instance, Is the oldest subdivision In the city that has remained a stable, viable resi• dential neighborhood. Historically, the addition was platted in January 1898 and filed with the county clerk's office on Match 11, 1899, It wus the first residential section west of the present-day Santa Fe Railroad tracks on Calder Avenue. The railroad at that time was known as the Sabine and East Texas. Boundaries of the addition extended west from the tracks along b*th. sides of Liberty Street to present-day Sixth Street, north along Sixth to the tracks, and then southeast and south along the tracks back to Liberty. A portion of the addition lay east of the tracks In an area bordered by Gladys Street on the south, Gulf Street on the cut, Chaison Street on the north, and the tracks on the west. Much of the land for this addition and the later Averill additions had been a part of the William McFaddin ranch which lay primarily west of the tracks. A portion of this property had been a Republic of Texas (and grant to William McFaddin for his services in the Texas Revolution. The southern boundary of this grant ran roughly where the McFtiddln-Watd Museum carriage house statics today on North Street, McFaddin later purchased land extending to present-day Liberty Street, which, at the time, was, Liberty Rood, or a major artery between Beaumont and Liberty. When the addition was platted, there was roughly one house west of the tracks — the William McFaddin ranch house built in 1853 and located where Fourth Street is today between McFaddin and North, In the: mid-1890s. William McFaddin and his Wife, Rac.hacl WilliqM3 McFaddin, died. Their estate was divided among their surviving children. The homeplace and approximately 2,02 acres were left to one of their daughters, D1 Averill, It was she and bet husband, Col. W.C. Averill, who were primarily responsible for developing the McFaddin Addition and they continued to live in the old ranch house. A McFaddin grandson, Rufus ,Medley Kent, in 1899, built a second structure west of the tracks — a home for his family, located on what would later become the northwest comer of Calder and Seventh. It was known to the family as the "Little Ranch." The house was designed by an architect and stood on 20 acres of land, a pottion of which might have been from the original land grant. The home remained In the Kent family until it was demolished in the 1960s, An automobile repair shop is located there today. When the Kent home was built, Calder was just a graded extension from the tracks to serve the dents. Access from downtown Beaumont was through gates near the tracks which opened into the McFaddin property, Near the house were stables, the tnain learn, and a wontlna farm complete with rows of corn and a number of varieties of animals and fowl. By 1902, lumber magriate, J. Frank Keith and his wife, Alice Carroll Keith, bought a blmk of land from the Avcrills bor. dered by Calder, Sixth, McFaddin, and Seventh. Here they built the first palatial mansion west of the tracks. Designed by Tennessee architect George F. Botber and named Arbol Grande, it was and remained one of Beaumont's grandest homes until it was demolished in 1949 to make way for a modern supetinatket. After 1902, buil8ing in the addition was rapid. Henry Conrad Mauer, one of Beaumont's most prolific architects of the period and the city's first unly", Ity-trained architect, designed many of the homes built In the McFaddin Addition and the later Averill additions, lie also designed home,; in the Oa6 Addition, which was 11tst platted in 1902, and in the ParWole Addition, Mauer bad come to Beaumont in 1901 to work with Beaumont architect U-0. Long. His residential commissions in these additions Included (not a complete listing) the 1908 Bass -Flynn -Hobson house, 21013 Harrison (extant); the 1905 Ed Steadman home, northwest corner Fifth and North (demolished to make room for an apartment complex); the 1906 Averill-McFaddin-Word house, 1906 McFaddin (now a muse- um); the 1908 C, T. Heisig home, northeast corner of Fifth and Hazel (demolished to make room for an apartment complex)-, the 1906 T.V. Smelker home, northwest comer of Hazel and Fifth (extant); the 1905 Jerry Steadman home, southwest comer of Fifth and Hazel (cxwnth the 1905 A.L. Williams house, northeast corner of McFaddin and Fifth, now Blake's Clock Company, and the 1922 George Adorns, Sr., home, southwest corner of Sixth and North (extant). Mauer designed many or the homes south of Calder. Some of d-w larger commissions lined Seventh Street between Laurel and Calder. These included the 1909 E.W. Talliferro home at 253 Seventh (extant); the 1909 E.E, Townes home at 275 Seventh (demolished to make to�om for Ppnrtmcr.ta); an.4 r1le 1909 W.M, 0r uk ),Om. era tho south —cat rors— of St:vcsitit mid Droudway (&mollEhed ro Make roan% for "PUMILCMr, He aluo designed the R.E. Smich home on the northeast corner of Brondway rand Fourth, which again was aernal- bhed to make room for an apartment complex. He designed the 1907 I.E. Josey home at 2337 Broadway (extant), the 1909 C.R. Chambers hri-ne at 2320 Broadway (demolished), the 1906 R.C. Millet home- it 2341 Liberty (demolished); the 1909 Natrigon *hiraker home at 2010 Broadway (demolished); and the 1911 J.L. Cunningharn home, 2105 Liberty (extant), For many years, this was the home of Dr. David Worth Roberts, lung -tithe minister of Westminster Presbyterian Church and a noted grapholo- gist'... Mauer designed many of the buildings in Beaumont and surrounding communities. Some of these still remain. They include the old White House Dry Goods Store, across Pearl Street from Tyrrell Historical Lib, e,ary (extant); the old Star Store Building, comer of Orleans and Crockett (extant); the T,& Reed Orocery Company Building, comer of Pearl and Bowie (extant); Plets2ch School, Highland Avenue (extant); the Alamo Block, Pearl Street (demolished); Beaumont Water Works buildings on Pine Street (some extant), the Texaco Company office buildings in Port Arthur (extant); five city fire stations (demolished In the 1930s); Silsbee State Bank (demolished in the early 1950s); and the Adams Building in Port Arthur (octant). Mauer designed many of the mansions built at the turn of the century by Beaumont families who were involved in lure. bet, cattle, rice, or Spindletop oil or proceeds from the boom. These included the JZ Browssard home on College (demolishcd)i the M.L. Hinchee home on Park Street (extant); the Ed Eastharn home on Broadway (demolished); and, considered by some is the most palatial home ever built in Beaumont, the 1908 Valentine Wiens -Frank Yount house an Calder and demolished in 1957 according to the wishes of Mrs. Yount who had purchased the TF. Rothwell home in Caldwood, Mauer was a college-tralned architect, Ile was graduated from Pratt Institute in New York in 1898 with a. degree in architecture, where he would have graduated with honors had that designation been given in those ditys. At the time at Pratt, architecture was a two-year program in the Fine Arts. After graduation, he returned to his native Texas, Mauer was from LoOtange and was, barn of German immigrant parents. His father, Ceorge Mauer was a prosperous former and county commis- sioner, When Henry Conrad Mauer died at his home on Magnolia Avenue In Beaumont in 1939, he was working on school buildings for the oN French School District, Other well,known architects designed homes in these additions, William Word Watkin, for instance, the first dean of the architecture school at Rice, designed the 1920 W.A. Prfddie home at 675 Fifth (extant) and the 1920 Perry Wicss home at 1872 Calder (demolished). Other Beaumont architects designing homes in this area included U.0, Long, Frank T. Smith, Ben E, Irby, Wallace B. Livesay, A. Babin, Newell Wiedemann, the T.H. Banker firm of Houston and Beaumont, Douglas Steinman, Aibcrt Oolemon, Ned Stone, L.W. Pitts, and others. Livemy and Wiedemann designed the 1926 W.D. Gordon home at 96 Seventh. Babin designed and built the 1912 Will E. Orrain home at 05 Seventh. The Banker firm built the 1910 Stuart Smith home at 1792 Broadway from plans drawn up by Mn- Smith. Banlcer also built the O.H. Pennock home at 1822 Broadway. Beaumonters considerca It one of the that bungalows built in the city although today we might consider it neo-classical rather than bungalow in style. Interestingly enough, the L.H, Parish/W.W. Ward home at 407 Seventh (more recently a restaurant) is almost a mirror image of the Pennock home minus the second story. Oldrimers will remember,\4r, Ward as long.tlme editor of the Beaumont Journal. Banker's Houston office designed and constructed the 7912 Harry and Olen Keith Wiess home, northweat comer of Fifth arid McFaddin. The company had a pro- motional brochure printed, praising the home's attributes. As an example of the kind of meticulous planning and detail that went into some of the homes built it, these additions, one might look at the 1928 Judge T.H. Bowers home -at 2390 Pecos Boulevard, now owned by William C. "Bill" Johnson, retired senior vice president and secretary of the board of directors of Texas Commerce Bank, Designed by Beaumont architect Ben E. Ir6y, who was particularly adept with the neo-colonial idiom, the house was featured in the 1941 publication titled New Ideas for Building Yoar Home, published by Better Homes and Gardens, It was among 1,30 house plans that the magazine bad chosen nation, wide to feature In the publication, no book devotes a lull page to the house, showing the front and east facades.and the pint and second floor plans, The text discusses the merits of the design and lists the owner, the architect, and the contractor, who was Be2umonwt Jahn Edgar Heartficla, 10680n Still has the original house Plans and even the original landscaping plan by Frank L. bertschler. In conclusion, the areas discussed in this essay developed over a period of years r from shortly before the turn of the century to the present day. In fact, the areas are still developing. It's hard for us to imagine today that Thomas and Grace Smelker considered their new home in 1906 at Hazel and Fifth to be: "quite rural." It's also hard for us to imagine that James and Cora Weed thought they had "moved relatively far out into the country" when they Settled into their new home at 375 Seventh at the turn of the century. Because of the long perLod over which people built homes, the ' Areas have an amazing diversity of architectural styles, A good test of this statement 13 to drive down Broadway from First Street to Eleventh Street. It is true that 9everal of the houses have been "remuddled" so much that their architcctura] integrity is lost, On the other hand, there are numerous houses that leave seen little or no change since they were built, and they are good examples of the atylts they were intended to convey - colonial, neo-classical, craftsman, nco-colonial. California bungalow, Queen Anne, mission, four -square, 0corglan, federal, English tudor, Spanish revival, Mediterranean revival, cottage] carpenter vernacular. And, too,the houses In these areas were and are inextricably tied with the development of the city. The were built by people who developed the oil industry, the rice Industry -lay jurists, ple. -;. by Merchants, by teachers, and by everyday, working pco- S.P.A,R,E, Survey, All Of the existing structures discussed here, which are located south of Calder, are listed on the S-P,A.R,E. Beaumont 01111 AUG-06-97 02:32 PM t,-936 4 OZ 2848.5P4 0 P. e2 Historical -Cultural Background of the Early Spreading of Beaumont West of the Santa Fe RadroAd Tracks on Calder By Howard Perkins Brief History of the McFaddin Addition The district known as the McFaddin Addition In Beaumont meets several of tll t1t ri et forth by the Histo' C C C a S ric2l Landmark Commission in Its 2pplication for historical -cultural designation, The McFaddin Addition today, for instance, is the oldest subdivision in the city that has remained a $table, Viable residential neighborhood. Historically, the addition was platted in January 1898 and filed.with the county clerk's OM c on March 11, 1899. It was the first residential section West of the present-day Santa Fe Railroad ctracks on Calder Avenue. The railroad at that time was known :as the Sabine and East Texas. Boundries of the addition extended west from the tracks along both sides of Liberty Street to pr"ent-day Sixth Street, north along Sixth to the cracks, atid, then southeast and south along the tracks back to Liberty. A portion of the addition Jay cast of the tracks in an area bordered by Gladys Street on the south, Gulf Street on the east, Chakon Street on the north, and the tracks on the west. Much of the land for this addition had been a part of the William McFaddin ranch which lay PrIm',"lly west of the tracks. A portion of this Property had been a Republic of Texas land grant to William McFaddin for his services In the Texas Revolution, 'The southern b�oundry of this grant ran roughly where the McFaddin-Ward Museum carriage house stands today on North Street. McFaddin later Purchased land extending to present-day Liberty Street, which, at, the time, was Liberty Road, or a major artery between. Beaumont and Liberty, i When the addition was platted, there was roughly one house west of the tracks — the William McFaddin ranch house built in 1853 and located where Fourth Street Is today between MeNddin and North. In the mid-1890sp William McFaddin and his wife, Rachael Williams McFaddin, died. Their estate was divided among their surviving children The homeplace and approximat 1 202 acres were left to one of their daughters, Di AverIlL it was she and her husband, ',01 W,C Averifl, who were Primarily responsible for developing the McFaddin Addition and they continued to live in the old ranch house, A McFaddin grandson, Rufus Dudley Kent, In 1899, Wit a second structure west of the tracks — a, home for his family, located on what would later become the northwest corner of Calder and Seventh. It was known to the family as the "Little Ranch.' The house was designed by an architect and stood on 20 acres of land, a portion of which might have been from the original land grant. The home remained In the Kent family until it was demolished in the 1960s, An automobile repair shop Is located there today. When the Kent home was built, Calder was just a graded extension from the tracks to serve the Kents. Access from downtown Beaumont was through gates near the tracks which opened into the McFaddin Property. Near the house were stables, the main barn, and a working farm complete with rows of corn and a number of varieties of animals and fowl. BY 1902, lumber magnate J. Frank Keith and his wife, Alice Carroll Keith, bought a block of land from the Averills bordered by Calder, Sixth, McFaddin, and Seventh,, Here they built the first palatial mansion west of the tracks. Designed by Tennessee architect George V. Barber and named Atbol, Grande, it was and remained one of 13cumont's grandest hones until it was demollshed in 1949 to make way for a modern 8upermarket. After 1902, building In the addition was rapid. Henry Conrad Mauer, one of Bcaumont,s, most prolific architects many of the homes built of the period, designed In the McFaddin Addition and the later Averlh Addition, located west of the McFaddin Addition. Mauer had come to Beaumont in 1901 to work with Beaumont architect U.0 Long. Withiq, two years, he was In business for himself and enjoyed some of Beaumont's largest nrchitectutal commissions in both private and Public building, His residential commissions Harin thse ariesedditior,$ included (nOt 2 COMPlete 1113ting) the 1908 Bass-Flynn-Hob3on housc, 2108 seon (extent); the 1905 Ed Stcadman home, northwest corner Fifth and North Ocrnolished to 40 3 2 8 4 8 9 4 0 P - o 7. make room for an aPartmcnt complex); the 1906 Averill-McFaddin-Ward house, 1906 McFaddin (now a museum), the 1908 C, T. Heisig home, hOtthea3t corner of Fifth and Hazel (demolished to maloo room for an apartment complex); the 1906 T-V. Smclker home, northwest corner of Hazel and Fifth (extant); the M5 Jerry Steadman home, southwest corner of Fifth and Hazel (extant).and the 1922 George Adams, St., home- southwest comer of Sixth and North (extant). Mauer designed many of the bulldinp in Beaumont and surrounding communities. Some of Thew still remain. They include the aid White House Dfy Ocads Store, across Pearl Street from Tyrrell Historical Library (extant); the old Star Store Building, cd rleans and Crockett (extant); the T.S. Reed Grocery Company Building, comer of Pearlcorner and BowOie (extant); Pict3zch School, Highland Avenue (extant); the Alamo Block, Pearl Street (demolished); Beaumont Water Works buildings on Pine Street (some extent), the Texaco Company office buildings In Port Arthur (extant), flue city fire stations (demolished in the 1930s); Silsbee State Bank (demolished in the early 1950s), and the Adams Building in Port Arthur (extant), Mauer desli;nea many of the . mansions built at the turn of the century by Beaumont families who were Involved In lumber, cattle, rice, or SpIndletop oil or proceeds from the boom, These Included the I.E. Broussard home on College (demolished); the M.L. Hinchee home on Park Street (extant); the Ed Eastharn, home on Broadway (demolished)l and, considered by some the most Palatial home ever built in Beaumont, the I a U Calder and dernall6hed in 908 Valentine Wiess�Frank Yount house on Bothwell home In. Caldwo'957 according to the wishes Of Mrs, Yount who had purchased the T.F. ad. Mauer Was a college -trained architect. He was graduated from Pratt Institute in Now York in 1898 with a degree In architecture, where he would have graduated with honors had that designation been given, in those days. At the time at Pratt, architecture was a two_ycar program in the Fine Arts. After graduation'he returned to his native Texas. Mauer was from LaGrange and was barti of Oerman immianant parents. His father, George Mauer was a prosperous former and county commissioner. When Henry Conrad Mauer died at his home on Magnolia Avenue in Beaumont In 1939, lie was working on school buildings for the old French School District. Other well-known architects designed homes in the McFaddin Addition, William Ward Watkin, for Instance, the first dean of the architecture school at Rice, designed the 1920 W.A. Priddie home at 675 Fifth (extant) and the 1920 Perry Wiess ho"e at 1872 Calder (demolished). Other architects working in the area included Fr" T. Smith and A, Babin. Many people who built in the McFaddin Addition were tied to the oil industry. Although the present McFaddin-Ward house was built by W-C Averill and Dt McFaddin Avcrill after the old William and Rachad McFaddin home burned In early 1905, Di Averill switched this house with her brother, w.r.H. McFaddin, in early 1907 for his hone in the 1300 block of Calder Avenue. When the addition was platted, the Averills, because of the placement of the old McFaddin home. had reserved a large black of land bordered by McFaddin, Fifth, Hazel, and Third streets, When the old house burned, they could then open Fourth Street to Hazel and North Street from Third Street to Fifth Stteet, thus improving the value of their property. W.P.H. McFadditi, In association with Valentine Wiess and W,W. Kyle, owned much of the land where Spindictop came Into being, Consequently, the McFaddins the Wicsses, and the Kyles were Inextricably linked with the all Industry In Beaumont. Valentine Wiess became a major stockholder in the Gulf Oil Company, and his brother, William wicss, became major storkholder in Texaco. me a Three of William Wiess's children have been mentioned earlier in the text of this paper, Perry Wiess, Mrs. W,A. Priddie, and Harry Wiem. it, 1912, Harry Wiess and his wife, Olga Keith Wicu, daughter of J. Frank Keith and Alice Carrell Keith, mentioned earlier in the text, built the home still standin4 at 615 Fifth, designtd by the Houston architecturalfirm of T.H. Banker and Company. It was here that Harty Wiess and his associates founded the Humble Oil and Refining Company. The W'csses later moved to Houston where he became pte,sident And chairman of the board of the company. They were major contributors to Rice University and the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, One of their daughters, Caroline Low of Houston, was recently named ""angel, ange I ,of Houston arts fot her substantial contribution' to the fine arts In that city. Harty and Olga Wiest the contributed substantially to Baptist Hospital in &aumont, founding the Alice Keith Nursing School, which was a major nursing training center until it was o6orbed by Lamar University in the 1970s. The Keith$ and the. Wiesses were also major contributors to other Beaumont charities a oreanitations, - n M especially First Baptist Church, where Alice 'Keith was affectionately "Mother Keithil rely know as until her death in 1956. The Keith family also will instrumental in establishirig AllJ--06- 97 $32:Z5:3 PN 6936 4o32 4e,D 40 P.04 Alice Keith Park on Highland avenue, Old Keith Park had been downtown, complete with its bandstand, but in the late 1920s, the city, took that property to build City Auditorium, now the Julie Rodgers Theater, connectionsIt was through the Wiess; that Perry ss and Mrs. Priddie engaged William Ward tkinto des gn�htirehomes mentioned earlier in n the text. Brief Notes an the Averlll and Ida Reed Additions The area west of Sixth Street, including the present Averill and Ida Reed additions, has remained one of Beaumont's most stable neighborhoods, especially the area including Harrison, Long, and Ashley streets. These streets feature some of Beaumont's better homes and many are or have been tied with families who lived in the McFaddin Addition. For instance, Long Avenue (going west from Seventh Street) was developed during the 1930s, The first three homes 'built on this street were the Alexander and Signora Marshall house at 2425 Long, the Ida Keith home at 2400 Long, and the Virgil and Evelyn Keith home at 2490 Gong, Signora Marshall was the granddaughter of Valentine Wiess, mentioned earlier in the text, Ida Keith was the widow of John L. Keith, brother of J. Frank Keith, mentioned earlier in the text; and Virgil .Keith was Ida Keith's oldest ,,eon. interests, 'Housesin ethria his area were designedtby ome of1Be umont's best-known architects o hether period. Wallace Livesaty designed the Marshall home In the Colonial Revival style and Fted Stone designed the Ida Keith home in a Mediterranean Revivalstyle. Stone designed the Jacob Eisen home at 2301 Gong and L.W. Pitts designed the J.13. Morris home at 2395 Long. Stone, and Pitts were partners. Other architects working In the area were Den Irby and Douglas I? Steinman. In fact, Steinman designed and built his home at 2355 Harrison and one of his daughters atilt' lives there, John Staub, mated Houston architect, designed the J. Cooke Wilson house on Ashley Street, These men, a generation after Henry Conrad Mauer, helped give Beaumont a new face and much of that face still exists today, Including the Julie Rodgers Theater, the Jack Brooks Federal Building, and the YMCA. Stone, working with A. Rabin, designed the present Jefferson County Courthouse and, Stone designed the American Consulate In Mexico City, S.P.A.R.U. Many structures in these additions are listed an the S.P,A.P.h. Beaumont Survey. These are on file with the city and will not be addressed here. Concluding Notes One structure, the McFaddin�W'ard House Museum, has been designated a Naettonal Historic Landmark, a Texas Historic Landmark, and has been entered in the National Register of Historic Places. The museum Is a constant success in bringing people to Beaumont. Last year alone, 9,000 visitors from 49 states and 17 foreign countries toured the facility. Visitors are always asking museum personnel 'What ,else is in the neighborhood?" 'wY''ith some work and protection measures, we could have much to tell visitors practically within walking distance of one of our most successful museum attractions In Beaumont. L. DATE A PETITION FOR THE EXPANSION OF OAKS HISTORICAL DISTRICT STREET ADDRESS AND TELE. NO. NAME AND SIGNATURE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION mom 5a- �<iVY hLu_, p—Mr,al WNW-1 1- �w—t.M-67 MIR M ��-T-E PETITION FOR THE EXPANSION OF OAKS MSTORICAL DISMICT STREET ADDRESS AND TELE. NO. NAME AND SIGNATURE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION 931,3n--� il? �p Iva- "'o r, ipoi��� ; ao-1 f i ANTE -T-E�LE-NO- 1/�M)- mm C-6 3 NAME AND SIGNATURE J tA kq L ( (7-s t 1-b vrA I % ��ij, � Y 2 2- Py� ✓ L ) I PETITION FOR THE EXPANSION OF OAKS HISTORICAL DISTRICT i I ;0E TELE. NO. 0/7 7 gam- �-?�� 40z�p l� y5P [9 Y *�>S--70S4 NAND AND SIGNATURE 3o rk ,�, 6 6 7 A� -5c PETITION FOR THE EXPANSION OF OAKS HISTORICAL DISTRICT STREET ADDRESS AND DATE TELE . NO. NkME AND SIGNATURE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION I' n r r � 9L .3- 2-Y 4- t 0-,. PETITION FOR THE EXPANSION OF OAKS FESTORICAL DISTRICT STREET ADDRESSAND jLTE TELE. NO. NAME AND SIGNATURE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION PETITION FOR THE EXI?ANSION OF OAKS HISTORICAL DISTRICT STREET ADDRESS AND ) )ATE TELE. NO. NAME AND SIGNATURE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION 2N-3 3 - W3 _5 3 06 -' 0 2 ovo u ta7 PETITION FOR THE EXPANSION OF OAKS HISTORICAL DISMICT STREET ADDRESS AND TELE. NO. NAME AND SIGNATURE' PROPERTY DESCRIPTION RE V I 4a� a22L-A��� <73 LIA s --Z S—Z" 0-w PETITION FOR THE EXPANSION OF OAKS FUSTORICAL DISTRICT STREET ADDRESS AND jATE TELE. NQ- NAME AND SIGNATURE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION qo 741 FINAUM5 It W, ' WN B. WE I M b � WMA A =I 5- 9 vl�' 77, TELE. NO. (4 0 `t 2 *3;). - ? 5zS-b q67 - 9 35-33.Y7 z 'Yof L5 223 A+09 33 --:3 & Z 0 NAME AND SIGNATURE M 1,40o ft wamlo walf migolwWw" llll�Mjom 3qS-A1. r.,-,A.17w 57- oraa-teO 64A-e- 7-7707- 2,5-Y-6 -,r 7 74) 2-' _AQo LAugc I., 777O2 g,J-44,0 )-,/t tj Ile, 1 -1 -7 7 0 a r-6 1, ro YO L� r) ;2,5-32 /,acr,/-7?200, jo �Z�?or E L ler -7-770-2- ?,ATE PETITION FOR THE EXPANSION OF OAKS HISTORICAL. DISTRICT STREET ADDRESS AND TELE. NO. NAME AND SIGNATURE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION 10 �232Q C_ 0 21-70 PE-C'35 - �22 i�z ,2y Z fm WE PETH,JON FOR THE EXPANSION OF OAKS MSTORICAL DISTRICT STREET _ADDRESS AND )ATE TEVE-, NQ. NAME AND SIGNATURE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION -71 ��y/� �3a-s5�� j-26 -q 93 z -6 3� 7 -�7Z- - A l9�7 c LI-65)pe""C - &/Cr V?6 PSIS am[ 7 7 74 Z ---Y, 25?5 ReOZ,5 777oZ )"ATE TELE. NO. L7 ILL - to 7Y-f---T n3,5-3o,;7 7-A07 3,3-7o27 NAME AND SIGNATURE e /i 1/a Twan z.,l ",'�IWW j4k2- 4 777Z? 7776'Z- �so 0�5 �- Lgg zlA�v�-y 2 7776 7 7 743a- Z 7, P- -7 7 76.z_ rM� jATE 4C-f ' 9384 ko 401 '53LYqc� 33 13,a-166P NAME AND SIGNATURE MOO WIRM I w Rrlllllllll��iiP, -"MomrI Zq7() c�5ao o 6t rl- I PETITION FOR THE EXPANSION OF OAKS MSTORJCAL DISTRICT NAME AND SIGNATURE STREET ADDRESS AND W., TELE. NO. 7- PETITION FOR THE EXPANSION OF OAKS FUSTOPUCAL DISTRICT STREET ADDRESS AND -)ATE TBLE. NO. NAME AND SIGNATURE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION pITE PETITION FOR THE EXPANSION OF OAKS MSTORICAL DISTRICT STREET ADDRESS AND IELE. NO. NAME AND SIGNATURE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION lb C, ( Y-q- I I -rYzep I Y,) d&O �53 -7 3,7 - � 1 5 - Zq,� 13,0 C. Fo I by', 0 rill- LA-- 2 Z2, Mb acz � -)"., . " - - M, IV Nk4fos ,w . - VS., gm -p.4 w _7 (44`1 on PETITION FOR THE EXPANSION OF OAKS MSTORICAL DISTRICT STREET ADDRESS AND TELE.- NO. NAME AND SIGNATURE PROPERTY DESCRIPTION old 72-111 7 "F7 Lo �- �-3� — ?c)b3 a1d5 �o ut �.�- 2196 Soo 71 '(A r 1p Ty PETITION FOR THE EXPANSION OF OAKS HISTORICAL DISTRICT d ' DATE TELE. NO 1 W NAME AND SIGNATURE AU4 G. DATE TELE. NO. NAME AND SIGNATURE O�tjo,- �,- 4"el F. r ,. t Fair., STREET ADDRESS AND PROPERTY DESCRIPTION z 1 5 5� q go Y,htiF"r `may. RESPONSE: If you wish to comment, please return this form to the Planning Division, P.9--�ox 3827, Beaumont, TX 77704. 1 ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF THIS REQUEST? YES �O (CLE ONE) OWNER: COMNENTS: �Sigurc LF.A or Jr RESPONSE: If you wish to comment, please return this Conn to the Planning Division, P, C� . Box 3827, Beaumont, TX 77704. ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF THIS REQUEST? YES NO (CIRCLE ONE) OVINER: Mzo�T/ Signature CONMENTS: RESPONSE: If You wish to comment, please return this Corm to the Planning Division, P.O. Box 3827, Beaumont, TX 77704. ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF THIS REQUEST? YES � (CIRCLE ONE) OWNER:. COMMENTS: Signature 0 RESPONSE: If you wish to comment, please return this form to the Planning Division, P.O. Box 3827, Beaumont, TX 77704. ARE, YOU IN FAVOR OF TFHS REQUEST? YES N(Q(CIRCLE ONE) OWNER: Signature COMMENTS: + r AUG-06-97 WED 12:52 PM SUM INDUSTRIES FAX K0, 9133459820 R 02/03 RESPONSE; Itynu wioh to comment, please Mum this rorm to the 11jun;aS Divi3iqn, P.O. Dox 3337, 8couraotir, TX 7'7704, AU YOU IN FAVOR OF THIS REQUEST? YES ("NO �CIRCLL Qgc') COMML, NTS: 1,14 RESPONSE: If you wish to comment, please return this form to the Planning Division, P.O. Box 3827, Beaumont, TX 77704. AO RE YOU IN FAVOR OF TMS REQUEST? YES - (CIRCLE ONE) " � JN(,) V �<x Signature COMMENTS: ;A, RESPONSE: If you wish to comment, please return this forni to the Planning Division, P.O. Box 3827, Beaumont, TX 77704. ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF TFUS REQUEST? YES 4 ENO (CIRCLE ONE) 1 ) J CONMENTS. f nOMMM"t Signature RESPONSE: If you wish to comment, please return this form to the Planning Division, P.O. Box 3827, Beaumont, TX 77704. ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF, THIS REQUEST? YES Qj0) (CIRCLE ONE) Signature RESPONSE: If you wish to comment, please return this fbmi to the Planning Division, RO. Box 3827, Beaumont, TX 77704. ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF TI-HS REQUEST? S NO (CIRCLE ONE XM9M CONRvfENTS: