G路H路P路A 1100 Bagby Houston, Texas
77002 713 223 8367
Greater Houston Preservation Alliance
1111111111111 Preservation Alert WINTER 1984
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
VOL.1, NO.2
by Beverly Permington
The Greater Houston Preservation Alliance is holding its Armual Meeting in the newly restored Kress Building, providing a wonderful opportunity to see a beautiful old building corrpletely ready for a new use. In addition to other activities, the neeting will feature representatives fram the four historic districts, the Heights multi-resource district, and the Fourth Ward. Photographs of these areas will be on display. In our last issue of PRESERVATION ALERT, we listed four endangered buildings in the new Market Square Historic District. The Pillot Building, for example, will became the Harris Cmmty Law Library. A new structure containing a mdern library will be built within the Pillot's facade. Work shotild begin on the project in early spring. The B.A. Shepherd Building, along With the South Texas National Bank Building and the Durnble Building (circa 1883, 1910 and 1880 respectively) were demolished in September, to be replaced by a new office high-rise. The Radoff Building and the Henry Brashear Building have remained intact; however, change could occur at any time for these structures. Currently, we are in the process of establishing a connri.ttee to accept facade easements from owners of historic hones and buildings. Owners, after donating easerrents to the GHPA, will be able to take charitable deductions on tax returns. This program should be active this spring and, we hope, will be another inducement to pennanently preserve Houston's past. We want your suggestions and ideas. Come to the Meeting on the 26th!
HISTORIC DISTRICTS
by Stephen Fox and Hinnette B. Boesel
Since 1978, four historic districts in Houston have been listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Sixth Ward (Sabine) District was the first. Bounded by 11ennrial, Washington Ave., Houston Ave., and Glenwood Cerretery, it corrprises part of the W.R. Baker Subdivision platted in 1858 and was developed as a neighborhood of small frame working-class houses in the last half of the 19th century. The Courtland Place Historic District and the Broad Acres Historic District were listed next, in 1980. They are located in Houston's south end and are relatively small in size. Courtland Place was Houston's first elite private subdivision containing many grandly scaled houses designed by well-known architects, Sanguinet & Staats. Broad Acres has a distinguished collection of houses designed by renowned architects of the period, John Staub and Birdsall Briscoe. In 1983, the Ham Street/Market Square Historic District was listed. AlnDst 14 blocks in size, it corrprises over 70 buildings, structures and sites north of Texas Avenue in downtown Houston, including its oldest buildings - the Pillot Building (circa 1858) and the Kennedy Bakery (circa 1860). 'Iko of Houston's mst historic sites, Allen's Landing and Market Square, are also located in the district; Harket Square being the site designated as the Republic of Texas' first capitol, and also Where four of Houston's five city halls have been built. Recently, four Market Square area buildings have been derrolished!
ME M B E RS HIP DR I V E
is unde:rway for 1984. Applications and dues renewals are now being accepted by the GHPA. c/o Harris County Heritage Society. 1100 Bagby, Houston, 77002. Dues are tax deductible: Students: $5, Regular: $10, Contributing: $25. Benefactor: $50. Patron: $100, Corporate: $500. GHPA needs your support. Invite others to join, too.
Published by the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance Edited by Randle Pollock
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
by Hirmette B. Boesel
On 4 November 1983, President Reagan signed into law a bill for fiscal 1984 that appropriates $26.5 million to the National Historic Preservation Pro~am, despite the
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Administrations's efforts to have it "zeroed out. " Five million dol ars was allocated to the National Trust for Historic Preservation and $21.5 million will go to the state historic preservation programs. Heavy lobbying by preservationists aided the overall effort. Texas will received one of the largest allocations, over $700,000. These fimds will be used by the Texas Historical Comilission for progranrning and for grants to local governments and non-profit groups to inventory and survey cultural resources.
* The
Texas Historic Preservation Grants Pro am of the Texas Historical Commission was allocated 5,0 0 y e Texas Legis ature. Grants will be awarded on a matching basis to government entities, non-profit groups and individuals for program planning, acquisition or developnent. Applications deadline is 1 Jtme 1984. Contact the National Register Dept., THC, P.O. Box 12276, Austin, IX, 78711 for more details.
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PLAN 'ill ATTEND '!HE "GHPA ANNUAL HEETIN";" ON TIIURSDAY, 26 JANUARY, 5-7 PH.
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ANNUAL MEETING at The S.H.Kress & Corrpany Buildin;g, 707 Main in downtown Houston. All GHPA rnerr.bers and their guests are cordially invited to attend this wine and cheese event featuring:
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* Election of Officers:
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The Nominating Committee slate consists of Beverly Permington, President; Mirmette Boesel, First Vice President; Bart Truxillo, Vice President; Barrie Scardino, Secretary; and Pat Burris, Treasurer. Other nominations will also be considered. Presentation by Building Director, Bill Curtis, who will discuss Kress Building, an 8-story, steel-framed office structure with rretal cornices and lush terra cotta ornaments tllat is in the process of restoration and updating by the P.F .K. Developrrent Group Ltd. Tribute to Houston's Historic Districts, including photos and comnents by those instrumental in gaining district designation.
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PLAN 'ill ATTEND.
For mare information call 623-2491 or 861-6236.
G*H*P*A 1100 Bagby Houston, Texas
77002 713 223 8367
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Greater Houston Preservation Alliance Founded 1978
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