Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Caleb Gasparek, Assistant Planner
Contact Info
(830) 221-4086 - Cgasparek@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
Subject:
Title
DM2020-2515 discuss and consider a potential historic landmark designation for the property currently addressed as 674 W. Edgewater Terrace, in response to an application for demolition
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Background:
Case #: DM2020-2515
Owner: Evy Kay Washburne
674 W. Edgewater Terrace
New Braunfels, TX 78130
Applicant: David Mills
PO Box 312459
New Braunfels, TX 78130
Historic Context:
The subject property is a rectangular, interior lot of approximately 12,000 sq. ft., located at 674 W. Edgewater Terrace. The rear of the lot is adjacent to the Comal River. The subject property is located within Landa Park Estates, a subdivision of mostly rectangular-shaped lots that was first platted in 1933. Landa Park Estates is noted for having many, small lots with 25-feet of street frontage with the exception of Edgewater Terrace which featured 50-foot wide lots.
City records indicate that the house was built and designed by local architect Roye V. Swartwout for $2,500 in 1938. Mr. Swartwout and his wife, Myrtle, owned the property from 1938 to 2003. The house is a unique example of the Minimal-Traditional style that was popular in the US in the years following the Great Depression. Minimal ornamentation, double-hung multi-pane windows, intermediate-pitched gable roof, and an L-shape floor plan are all characteristic of the Minimal-Traditional style. 674 Edgewater has a number of additional features such as an attached garage, large rear bay window with built in planters, and a single roof dormer that adds to the uniqueness of the building. Additionally, the house is clad in brick which is rarely found in Minimal-Traditional homes built during this time.
Roye (May 14, 1901 - August 30, 1963) Swartwout was born in Philadelphia, PA to George and Effie Swartwout. City records indicate Roye moved to New Braunfels in the late 1920’s. He appears in a number of city records throughout the 1940’s, 1950’s, and 1960’s. In 1936 Roye is listed as part of the group of citizens urging the City to buy and preserve Landa Park as a recreational space. That same year a full-page story is printed in the New Braunfels Herald showcasing the “Ideal Home” designed by Mr. Swartwout. The Ideal Home was furnished and landscaped by local businesses, and even came stocked with food from the Eiband & Fischer store. Another ad indicates that these were the first houses constructed in New Braunfels under the supervision of the Federal Housing Administration. City records indicate a number of these Ideal Homes were constructed in the Landa Park Estates, though only one still remains at 719 Edgewater Terrace.
In 1940 Mr. Swartwout and Texas Architect Jeremiah Schmidt won a bid from the city to construct the open air theatre at Landa Park. A number of other buildings around New Braunfels are attributed to Mr. Swartwout throughout the mid-century. These include a 1949 addition to the Sophienburg Museum, a mid-1960’s addition to the Landa Golf Course building, several residences in Landa Park Estates, and the Annex building of St. John’s Episcopal Church in New Braunfels. Roye passed away on August 30, 1963.
Myrtle A. (Lovin) Swartwout (January 18, 1910 - July 16, 2003) was born in Spring, Texas to John and Lula Lovin. She graduated from New Braunfels High School in 1926. Mr. and Mrs. Swartwout had one child, Roye Jr. who passed away in 1944 at the age of 14. Mrs. Swartwout was involved in a number of civic activities in New Braunfels throughout her life. Both Mrs. and Mr. Swartwout are listed as founders of St. John’s Episcopal Church in New Braunfels. Mrs. Swartwout served on various city and civic boards. She served as the president of the New Braunfels Garden Club Council and the Executive Secretary of the Comal County Tuberculosis Association. She resided at 674 W. Edgewater until her death in 2003.
Request:
The applicant is requesting a full demolition of the primary structure at 674 W. Edgewater Terrace and a rear, detached accessory structure.
Determination Factors:
According to Chapter 66 “Historic Preservation” of the New Braunfels Code of Ordinances, demolition permits are to be reviewed by the City’s Historic Preservation Officer for determination as to whether the subject structure possesses any potential historic significance. If it is determined that the subject structure may be eligible for designation as a local Historic Landmark, the case must be presented to the Historic Landmark Commission for review and recommendation.
A structure may be designated as a Local Historic Landmark if it meets at least one of the following criteria:
1) Possesses significance in history, architecture, archaeology, or culture.
2) Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local, regional, state, or national history.
3) Is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.
4) Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction.
5) Represents the work of a master designer, builder, or craftsman.
6) Represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood or city.
Section 66-60 (3) of the City’s Code of Ordinances states that, “If the commission concurs on the significance, the commission shall recommend to the city council that the building, object, site or structure be designated, as appropriate, an exceptional or significant historic landmark.”
The ordinance further states “If the property owner objects to the designation, a three-fourths vote of the entire city council shall be required for historic designation of the property in question.”
Attachments:
1. Location Map
2. Plat of Landa Park Estates
3. Newspaper Clippings
4. Photographs