Landmark Preservation Commission 2011 Annual Report to City Council May 15, 2012
landmark preservation commission On the front cover (clockwise from top left): Interurban Depot, southwest corner of Center Street and Abram Street (1912); Houston Hitching Block, 414 N. Mesquite Street; Arlington s first three stores, location unknown (1876); Arlington Stadium (date unknown); Center Street looking north from South Street (date unknown); Tom Ditto Groceries, East Main Street (1898); Seven Seas amusement park map (ca. 1972); and Abram Street (ca. 1960). 2
2011 annual report Table of Contents Message from the Chair 5 Accomplishments 6 2012 Work Plan 7 Priority Historic Resources 8 State Historical Markers 13 Certificates of Demolition 14 Dangerous Structures 14 Grant Funding 16 3
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2011 annual report A Message from the Chair The Landmark Preservation Commission (LPC) is pleased to present our 2011 Annual Report to the Mayor and City Council. We have nine dedicated commissioners who work diligently to preserve our city s historic landmarks and educate our citizens about the significance of these sites. The past year has been productive in conducting our required preservation functions. We have also expanded our Landmark Arlington marker initiative, which was started several years ago at the request of City Council to aid in the education of citizens and visitors to the historic sites in Arlington. Arlington has a small number of citizens who are personally motivated to preserve our history, so the Landmark Preservation Commission is stepping up our efforts to build relationships with owners of historic sites and structures so these sites can be recognized and preserved. Based on the actions of other communities in Texas and around the nation, we believe it is in our city s best interest to offer incentives to save and restore historic locations and structures. The Commission has been developing some preservation concepts based on best practices of other successful programs to present to City Council for consideration during 2012. Hopefully, we can put a new preservation program in place for the next fiscal year to encourage our citizens to save more of our historic culture. Thank you for giving our Commissioners the opportunity to serve Arlington by helping to preserve our dwindling supply of historic locations and structures. Ron Reber, Chair Landmark Preservation Commission 5
landmark preservation commission accomplishments Certified Local Government Reporting As a member of the Certified Local Government program, annual reports must be provided to the Texas Historical Commission. Reporting was completed to both the Commission and National Park Service in January 2011. Preservation Month Proclamation The Mayor and City Council recognized May 2011 as National Preservation Month in the city of Arlington. A proclamation for Celebrating America s Treasures was presented to the community on May 10, 2011. Commissioners During 2011, the following citizens served as members of the Landmark Preservation Commission. Place 1 Thelia Chaffin (appointed 03/09/10) Place 2 Jacob Sumpter (appointed 07/01/10) Place 3 Alvin Warren (appointed 07/01/09) Place 4 Cheryl Taylor-West (term expired 06/30/11) Sue S. DeShong (appointed 08/02/11) Place 5 Juanita Price (term expired 06/30/11) Kristina Rumans (appointed 08/16/11) Place 6 Ron Reber, Chair (appointed 04/07/09) Place 7 Amy Cearnal (appointed 07/01/10) Place 8 Sharon Holman (appointed 07/01/09) Media Coverage The following were from 2011 editions of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Arlington school receives historical marker (02/28/11) - the former Booker T. Washington School Metro Academy may be forced to close (03/03/11) - the former Booker T. Washington School After years of planning, Viridian gets under way (05/18/11) - mentions Bird s Fort, where 1843 peace treaty with 10 American Indian tribes allowed pioneer settlements in North Texas Historic site foreclosed on (5/19/11) - Eastern Star Home property on East Division Street A little nostalgia and nice chunk of dough (6/13/11) - built in 1957, the Candlelite Inn s auction and purchase Arlington school hopes for future as it celebrates past (10/17/11) - Kooken Education Center, opened in 1907 as North Side School Eastern Star property in Arlington will be transferred to bank (11/7/11) - owners plan to transfer to a lender to satisfy the money it s owed, according to bankruptcy filing Place 9 Ghada Homoud (appointed 07/01/09) City Staff Liaisons Clayton Husband, Planning Project Manager II, provided staff support as the Historic Preservation Officer. Dell Smith Wood, Grants Secretary, provided support as the secretary to the Commission. 6
2011 annual report 2012 Work Plan The Work Plan outlined below provides a description of the major items the Landmark Preservation Commission proposes to address during 2012. Some of the items come from the Preservation Plan adopted in 2010; other items are continued from the previous year s program. They are intended to implement the City Council priorities related to enhancing and preserving neighborhoods; creating a vibrant downtown; and offering cultural, recreational and learning opportunities. Incentives. Study and develop an incentive program for consideration by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. Such a program would help lay the foundation for and sustain a program that promotes quality preservation in the community. Areas of study include tax incentives for historic properties. LP Overlay. Evaluate the existing Landmark Preservation Overlay zoning district. Study opportunities for including additional properties, buildings, and historic sites, as well as coordinating with potential incentives. Recommend appropriate changes to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Local Marker Program. Continue to seek funding from grants and other sources to further implement the local marker program and build on its initial success. Focus on establishing text/subject markers, recognizing additional properties, and creating a walking tour of local landmarks. Training. Obtain funding to host a preservation summit in Arlington and invite commissioners and preservationists from other cities in the area. Commission. As positions become available, actively recruit LPC members with general preservation experience and knowledge. Improve communications with the City in order to assist the LPC in effectively fulfilling its role. Outreach. Increase awareness of Arlington landmark preservation efforts with local, state, and national preservation organizations. Update the pages for the Landmark Preservation Commission on the City s website. Priority Historic Resources Continue to monitor critical historic resources in Arlington. Conduct special outreach to owners of all properties rated as high priority in the Historic Resources Survey. Staff support. Keep Commissioners informed about community preservation events and initiatives. Follow through on recommended staff functions from the 2011 annual report, including: Prepare case reports for demolition permits that are referred to the Commission by the Community Development and Planning Department. Review applicable zoning cases for their potential effect on historic properties and forward their findings to the Commission. Prepare annual Certified Local Government and other grant applications on behalf of the Commission. Coordinate training opportunities for the Commission and staff, including the required annual training at Texas Historical Commission-approved events. Network and coordinate with the private sector, the community, and other City departments on preservation issues and efforts. Coordinate with the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau in promoting preservation and heritage tourism in Arlington. 7
landmark preservation commission PRIORITY HISTORIC RESOURCES Eastern Star Home This historic structure has been declining from neglect for many years. Following several changes in ownership, some with intentions of developing alternate uses that would have incorporated the remaining central structure that dates to 1924, the fate of the Home is again uncertain. The last ownership group went into bankruptcy in 2010 and the property reverted to the lien holder, Providence Bank located in Missouri. In April 2012, the bank took possession of the property and immediately contracted with Jones Lang LaSalle Realtors in Dallas to sell the property. So, once again, the fate of the Home remains with another new owner. A demolition permit that was granted in September 2007 that allowed only the extended wings of the building to be torn down has expired. The LPC will be very interested in the plans the new owners will bring to the City for consideration. The main building of the Eastern Star Home was placed on the Most Endangered List by Preservation Texas, Inc. in 2006. It remains a top priority of both the City of Arlington and the LPC. Redevelopment of the building and surrounding 28.5 acres has been on hold since 2009. 8
2011 annual report Bird s Fort The LPC continues to build its relationship with the owners of the property, with the hope that they will either develop the property as a historic park or sell the property to an entity that will maintain its integrity as a historically significant site. Currently, the owners have no intention of selling or donating the property since it has been owned by their family for more than 110 years. They are very aware of its historical significance and want to maintain the site in its current condition as long as practical, given the development and activity surrounding their property. Marrow Bone Spring Commissioners celebrated the City s completion of the redevelopment of the Marrow Bone Spring linear park. Though concerned that the spring was disturbed during the installation of new city sewer lines, that does not seem to be a problem. We would like to thank the Parks and Recreation Department for restoring the historical marker to its original location. The park is close to its original condition, and citizens and visitors can enjoy the historical significance of this part of Arlington. The Bird s Fort area on the Trinity River is the site of some of the earliest exploration by settlers, the Sloan- Journey Expedition, and is the earliest settlement in Tarrant County. Captain Jonathan Bird established Bird s Fort in 1841, about a mile east of North Collins Street. Its life was short and no evidence of the fort remains, but it was the site of the 1843 execution of A Treaty of Peace and Friendship between several Indian tribes and the Republic of Texas. The treaty was later ratified by Republic President Sam Houston. The parks trail winds south from West Arkansas Lane toward Vandergriff Park. The historical marker is at the spring s location on Johnson Creek, which parallels the trail. The area around the spring had long been a gathering place for Indians. In January 1848, Colonel Middleton Tate Johnson s Company of the Texas Rangers was assigned to Kaufman Station in the area of the spring. It was later called Marrow Bone Spring Post. The spring is still active though it cannot be separated from Johnson Creek, which the trail follows from Founders Park to Vandergriff Park. A post office operated here from 1851 to 1905. Johnson Station, as it is known, became one of the county s earliest settlements and Johnson became a major landowner in the area. 9
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2011 annual report Arlington cemeteries The Commission continues its development of an extensive inventory of local cemeteries, their exact locations, their historical significance, and a list of historical individuals who are buried there. We have been reviewing selected cemeteries at each monthly meeting so that our Commissioners can enhance their knowledge of the history of Arlington. The potential exists for many of the cemeteries to be designated as Texas Historic Cemeteries. The cemeteries described in this section were reviewed during 2011. Gibbins Cemetery An old family cemetery located in the 2200 block of North Davis Drive, it is situated in the parking lot at Turning Point Junior High School. An historical marker and family headstone are found on the site. It is part of a former 1,300-acre farm settled in 1860 by James Gibbins and his family. The earliest grave in the cemetery, of Amanda Gibbins, dates to 1877. More than 200 acres of the original farm were donated to the City of Arlington for what became River Legacy Parks. Watson Cemetery Located at the southeast corner of Watson Road and Avenue H, it is the oldest known cemetery in Tarrant County. The earliest grave site dates to 1846, and the cemetery was founded by Patrick Alfred Watson in 1853. Only descendants of those who are already interred there are permitted to be buried at the cemetery. The Watson Cemetery Association continues to provide maintenance and upkeep of the property. Tomlin Cemetery This cemetery was first used in the 1870s by the Wilkinson family. It is located near the Gibbins Cemetery site at the west end of Tomlin Lane. The Wilkinsons, a pioneer family whose graves are marked by clusters of rocks, were the first interred in this cemetery in 1870. However, the oldest gravestone is that of Solomon Tomlin, a horseman and farmer who migrated to Texas with his family in the 1860s. 11
landmark preservation commission Berachah Cemetery This cemetery is located on the UTA campus, near the north end of Doug Russell Park. The cemetery was part of the Berachah Industrial Home, a house for homeless girls and unwed mothers. The first burial in the cemetery was in 1904. Today, there are 81 graves, 78 marked and 3 unmarked, with the oldest being for the burial of Eunice Williams, a resident of the home. The home ceased operation in 1942. The University of Texas at Arlington purchased the property in 1963 and became the cemetery s caretaker. Tate Cemetery The Tate Springs community was founded in 1870 by Evan Calloway Tate. Mr. Tate and three of his children are buried at Tate Cemetery, as are many members of the Tate Springs community. Land for this cemetery, located on West Pleasant Ridge Road, was deeded to the community by Tate heirs in 1894. Many of the graves are unmarked. Care of the cemetery was entrusted in later years to family members of those buried here. In 1965, an arch and a perimeter fence were erected on the grounds. 12
2011 annual report State historical markers On February 27, 2011, the former Booker T. Washington School earned historical status when the Texas Historical Society and Arlington Landmark Preservation Commission dedicated the 56-year old building with a historical marker and city landmark designation. The dedication of the historical marker for Carver Dixon King, mayor of Arlington from 1899-1900, was held on August 27, 2011. The marker is located at 301 East North Street. The Arlington Independent School District held a dedication ceremony for the Kooken Education Center historical marker on October 13, 2011. Originally known as North Side School, the site has been used by the school district since the early 1900s. 13
landmark preservation commission Certificates of Demolition The Arlington Zoning Ordinance requires LPC review of demolition permit applications for all structures at least 50 years of age, whose age is unknown, or those with historical designations. Commissioners rotate assignments in visiting and researching each property and preparing a report for the Commission. Community Development and Planning staff assists with the site visits and photography. All of the properties listed in the table were reviewed by the Commission and public hearings were held. Date of construction is listed according to Tarrant Appraisal District records. The 2007 Historic Resources Survey is used by City staff and the Commissioners to determine if the property is an historically-contributing structure to Arlington. The applications for all of the properties listed in the table were approved by the Commission. Address Applic. Date Year Built Age Contributing 2100 California Ln 2/10/2011 1957 54 No 512 Indiana St 2/10/2011 ca. 1930 81 Yes 5016 SW Green Oaks Blvd 5/12/2011 1950 61 No 2033 Pecandale Dr 5/12/2011 1935 76 No 909 Valley View Dr 5/12/2011 1954 57 No 431 N Oak St 6/9/2011 1945 66 Yes 824 E Park Row Dr 8/11/2011 1956 55 No 516 Prairie St 9/13/2011 ca. 1925 86 Yes 100 Vinson St 9/13/2011 unknown - No 2011 Zuefeldt Dr 10/13/2011 1930 81 No 1600 Rocky Canyon Rd 10/13/2011 1954 57 No Dangerous Structures These properties were reviewed and released to the City of Arlington for appropriate action. Commissioners assisted with applications by visiting sites and preparing case notes for deliberation at LPC meetings. City code compliance officers provided case information related to LPC review of dangerous structures. The Commission turned over all the properties listed in the table for appropriate action by the Dangerous and Substandard Structures team. Address LPC Date 507 N Center St 1/13/2011 1109 Wood Ln 3/10/2011 328 Highland Dr 3/10/2011 2810 Holiday Ln 4/14/2011 1016 N Mesquite St 4/14/2011 7110 Zuefeldt Dr 4/14/2011 901 Meadow Oaks Dr 4/14/2011 6100 Arlington Webb Rd 11/10/2011 14
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landmark preservation commission Grant Funding Historic Preservation Fund The City of Arlington s Historic Preservation Fund was established from the insurance proceeds from the historic Cooper House, which was destroyed by fire in 1998. Annual grants to qualifying nonprofit organizations are distributed from the fund s accrued interest. The Commission issued a request for proposals for the grant program in July 2011, but no proposals were received. A new request will be issued in 2012. Arlington Tomorrow Foundation A letter of interest for grant funding to continue the local marker program was submitted to the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation in April 2011. However, the Commission was not invited to submit a full proposal. A new request will be submitted in April 2012 to carry on this important program. Certified Local Government Grants The Texas Historical Commission offers Certified Local Government (CLG) grants to provide funding to participating city and county governments to develop and sustain an effective local preservation program critical to preserving local historic resources. These grants can be used for local historic preservation projects, including surveys of historic properties/districts, preparation of nominations to the National Register of Historic Places and other community-based preservation projects. Grants may be used for numerous projects such as preparing preservation plans, writing preservation ordinances, developing educational materials, and training seminars. The Commission will continue to seek grant funding from the CLG program to advance preservation efforts in Arlington. The City of Arlington is one of only 66 Certified Local Governments in Texas, and has been a member since February 24, 1992. 16
2011 annual report Photo Credits and Sources Cover: Landmark Preservation Commission files 8: Landmark Preservation Commission files 9: Landmark Preservation Commission files and Ron Reber 11: Landmark Preservation Commission files 12-13: Kristina Rumans, Clayton Husband and Landmark Preservation Commission files 15: City of Arlington files 17
City of Arlington Community Development & Planning Department 101 West Abram Street Arlington, Texas 76010