For Preservation The Newsletter of Greater Houston Preservation Alliance Houston's Local Partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
Volume 18, No.1
Winter 2007
Good Bricl~s Honor Preservation Excellence
Restorations of three post-World War II houses are among the projects being recognized with 2007 Good Brick Awards, from left, William R. Jenkins House (1955) in Willowbend, Hugo V Neuhaus, Jr. House (1950) in River Oaks, and David & Gloria Frame House (1960) in Memorial. Modem architecture takes center stage when Greater Houston Preservation Alliance celebrates the unsung heroes of historic preservation during the 2007 Good Brick Awards ceremony on Friday, February 2. For the first time since GHPA began presenting the awards in 1979, most of the historic homes being recognized were completed in 1950 or later. "Houston enjoyed spectacular growth after World War II, so it has a wealth of notable modem architecture," said Executive Director Ramona Davis .. "The National Historic Preservation Act defines historic buildings as being 50 years old or older, enabling us to reach out to neighborhoods that hadn't previously been seen as significant." Mica and Robert Mosbacher will accept the Stewart Title Award for their vision in preserving the National Register-listed Hugo V Neuhaus, Jr. House (1950) in River Oaks. The Mosbachers purchased what was being marketed as a "tear down" rt::habilitatt:u one of Houstons earliest and most important modernist designs. Vanessa and Jason Smith are being recognized for the high standard set during the restoration of their 1955 home at 10920 Willowisp in southwest Houston. The Smiths' work remained true to architect William R. Jenkins' distinctive modernist plan. Dana Harper is receiving a Good Brick Award for his meticulous restoration of the 1960 David & Gloria Frame House, 403 Westminster, in Memorial. Designed by architect Harwood Taylor, this exceptional house takes full advantage of its terraced site overlooking Buffalo Bayou. Owners who restored more traditional historic houses will also receive awards. Laura and John Calaway carefully reno-
vated the National Register-listed Paine House (1910) in the Westmoreland Historic District. When they purchased the home at 232 Emerson, most of the original features were intact. The Calaways' painstaking attention to detail preserved this historic home's architectural integrity Stephen Steiner and Keith Wallace rehabilitated one of the three oldest homes in Eastwood. The comfortable two-story house at 4620 McKinney was built in 1912 by William A. Wilson, who developed both Eastwood and Woodland Heights. The owners' careful renovation of the Craftsman style interiors has brought a beautiful home back to life. In addition to those listed above, several other individuals and organizations will receive Good Brick Awards. Joella and Stewart Morris will accept GHPAS Presidents Award for their outstanding leadership and personal commitment to historic preservation. The Morrises have been responsible for Significant preservation projects in the Greater Houston area. Houston Chronicle Arts Editor Lisa Gray will receive GHPA's Preservation Partner in Print Award. Gray is being recognized for her outstanding coverage of preservation issues in Houston, particularly the recent threats to the historic River Oaks Shopping Center, River Oaks Theatre and Alabama TheatreIBookstop. Andrea and Dave Matthiesen will be recognized for their successful adaptive re-use of the National Register-listed Roy & Margaret Farrar House (1923), 511 Lovett, in Montrose as a mediation center. Holy Rosary Church, 3617 Travis, will receive an award for the exterior restoration of its 1933 church building and the construction of an architecturally sympathetic parish hall.
Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church, 6621 Main Street, is being recognized for its master plan, which respects the parish's historic architecture while providing for new construction on its restricted site near Hermann Park. Harrisburg Plaza, Ltd. is receiving a Good Brick Award for its redevelopment of a 1929 Joseph Finger-designed super market at 5104 Harrisburg in the East End, one of HoustonS most overlooked historic neighborhoods. Post Wood Municipal Utility District will receive its Good Brick for developing the Seal McDougle Memorial Park, 23110 Cypresswood, to preserve the remnants of a historic African-American cemetery in north Harris County Award reCipients were selected by a jury of design and preservation professionals and community leaders. GHPA board member and architect Natalye Appel chaired the Good Brick jury The other jury members were Keiji Asakura, Bob Fretz, Maggie Galehouse, Mary Lawler, Peggy Lindow, Bruce MacDougal, Jim Parsons, Bart Truxillo and Tim Womble. The Cornerstone Dinner presenting the 2007 Good Brick Awards will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, February 2, at River Oaks Country Club, 1600 River Oaks Blvd. Beth Madison, Fran Fawcett Peterson and Kelly Fawcett Somoza are the eventS co-chairs. Janet Spencer is the silent auction chair. Reservations start at $200 per person. For reservations and information, call 713-216-5000. An order form is also available online at www.ghpa.org. Proceeds benefit the programs and projects of Greater Houston Preservation Alliance.
GHPA Adds West Mansion to Endangered List ~~
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West~
The West Mansion (1930) in Gear Lake could be demolished even though it is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and is listed in the National Register.
Development is encroaching on].M.
The James & Jessie West Mansion on NASA Parkway at Space Center Boulevard in Clear Lake is the latest addition to GHPAS Endangered Buildings List. In October, former Houston Rockets star Hakeem Olajuwon purchased the 17,000-square-foot Italian Renaissance mansion and its 41-acre site from the Pappas family The restaurant owners had held the remnants of the former West estate for several years. Olajuwons company immediately put the waterfront property back on the market. According to the Houston Chronicle, the site is being offered for subdivision and may be sold for highrise residential projects or retaiVoffice development. "Over the years, GHPA has been approached by a variety of individuals and small organizations who wanted to acquire the West Mansion and operate it as a museum, but were never able to develop viable financial plans," said GHPA Executive Director Ramona Davis. "We had hoped that Mr. Olajuwon would use his resources to preserve this extremely important property as he did with his adaptive reuse of the Houston National Bank building on Main Street," said Davis. 'That has proven to be wishful thinking."
with twin gazebos, historic swimming pool and changing rooms, nine-car garage and managers house. West sold the ranch to Humble Oil in 1939, but kept the mansion and grounds. After WestS death in 1941, his wife never returned to the property Humble Oil purchased the house and remaining land from Mrs. Wests estate in 1953. Eight years later, the oil company donated the mansion and 21 acres to Rice University, which later purchased additional acreage. Humble Oil donated an adjacent 1000 acres as the site of what is now the Johnson Space Center. From 1969 to 1991, the mansion housed the Lunar Science Institute (later Lunar and Planetary Institute). Rice University again took possession after the Institute vacated the house. Rice sold the property to the Pappas family, who, in tum, sold the back portion of the land for apartment/condo development. Despite the intrusions, the house, outbuildings and grounds have been well-maintained. GHPA will continue its efforts to focus media attention on this significant property and increase public awareness of the threats to this irreplaceable landmark.
The West Mansion, also known as the West Ranch House, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. Neither designation would prevent the buildings demolition, although National Register listing means the property is eligible for substantial federal preservation tax credits if the house is restored to high standards. The City of Pasadena has annexed the West Mansion and its grounds. Pasadena has weak land-use regulations and no historic preservation ordinance, which would offer the only local protections. In the late 1920s, lumber and oil magnateJ.M. West, Sr. commissioned architect Joseph Finger to design what became one of the most opulent houses in Texas. The mansion was completed in 1930 as the centerpiece of WestS 30,000-acre ranch in southeast Harris County Although the house appears to be a traditional, if expansive, villa, the interior boasts outstanding Art Deco and Moderne design and once had custom furnishings throughout. While the furniture and many decorative fixtures have been removed, the house is otherwise largely intact and unaltered. In addition to the mansion, the wooded site includes the original tennis court
historic waterfront estate.
Parl~s Deparhnent to Preserve MacKie & Kamrath Landmarl~
From the Executive Director We frequently receive calls from individuals who iwant to do "something" for preservation in Houston. One of the mOSL important ways you can assist us is by being GHPA's eyes and ears in the community. Our small staff does an excellent job tracking preservation issues by attending meetings, neLworking with community leaders and local residenLs, checking building and demolition permits, and following news coverage, but we cannOL be everywhere. You can provide a valuable service by becoming aware of the historic buildings you see everyday and Lraining your eyes to no Lice changes in historic neighborhoods where you live, work or shop. If you see a sign for a construction project on the site of an important building or know of a significant property Lhat is coming on the market, please contact GHPA. When you see a project that could be a candidate for a Good Brick Award, let us know Talk with your neighbors and find out what is happening in your community. If you own a qualified house or building, have it designated as a City of Houston Landmark and encourage the owners of other historic properties to do the same_ If you own a home or business in the Heights, sign the Historic District petition _ Most of all, talk about preservation and iLS value to all Houstonians. We get many calls from volunteers willing to "lie down in front of the bulldozers," but if the bulldozers are there, it is already too late. With your input and assistance, GHPA can be proactive and focus public attention on threats to Houston's historic resources before the demolition crews are scheduled. With your support, we are creating a preservation ethic for Houston.
~L Ramona Davis Executive Director Use your Randalls Remarkable Card and support GHPA whenever you shop_ Pick up an application at a Randalls Courtesy booth, complete the top portion and fill in GHPA's account number, 2841, in the Good Neighbor Program section. After the form is processed, Randalls will donate a portion of your total purchases to GHPA.
Farnsworth c-,o Chambers Co. Buildin,~ (1956), shown in Apli11962. Plans for the buildings restoration were announced duling World Srace Week in October.
The City of Houston Parks &: Recreation Department recognized the 50th anniversary of the Gragg Building, the Parks Department's headquarters, by announcing the planned resLoration of the historic building_ Formerly known as the Farnsworth &: Chambers Co _ Building, the landmark structure on South Wayside Drive at Wheeler was completed in 1956
from plans created by MacKie &: Kamrath. The building remains largely unchanged and retains almost all of the celebrated architects' original design features_ When NASA moved its headquarters to Houston in 1962, the space agency leased Lhe Farnsworth/Chambers building along with temporary facilities in Gulfgate Shopping CiLy and other office space throughout the
People in Preservation Tony Abyad is the new president elect of GHPA's Board of Directors. He had previously served as the organization's treasurer. Abyad's Lwo-year term as Board preSident will begin in the fall of 2007. GHPA's Board has elected Larry Whaley to replace Abyad as treasurer Glenda Barrett, Andrew Kaldis, Louis H. Skidmore, Jr. and William W Stubbs are GHPA's newest Board members. They were introduced during the 2006 Annual Meeting on November 8 at the historic River Oaks Theatre. Johnny Soto has joined GHPA's staff as Director of Special Projects_ As a volunteer, he has long assisted with the Good Brick Awards production as well as presentations for public speaking engagements_ He will continue to work in that capacity with added responsibilities_ Monica Danna and Chris Ponzica raised more than $1700 for GHPA and rang in 2007 hosting a New Year's Eve fundraiser at the historic Heights Fire Station. Almost 350 people attended the event, which was themed "007: Casino Royale." Joe and Donna Danna donated a professional football jersey autographed by Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning that was raffled for GHPA's benefit.
Al Davis has retired as volunteer chairman of the Harris County Historical Commission after 19 years of service_ The commission approves and places official Texas historical markers. More than 140 markers have been installed in Harris County under his tenure_ As Commission chair, he also served as an ex-officio, non-voting member of GHPAs Board. Davis received a 2004 Good Brick Award for his efforts to raise awareness of Harris County's rich heritage, and to preserve its history for future generations. Patrick Van Pelt has been appOinted volunteer chairman of the Harris County Historical Commission_ Van Pelt won a 2000 Good Brick Award for restoring the Benjamin Apartments (1924), 1218 Webster. As Commission chair, Van Pelt will also serve as an exofficio, non-voting member of GHPA's Board.
Texas Highways editor Jack Lowry died on December 22 in Austin. Lowry joined the magazine's staff in 1984_ Under his leadership, Texas Highways became an important voice for heritage tourism and historic
area . NASA workers occupied the building until 1964, when the Manned Spacecraft CenLer (now Johnson Space Center) opened in Clear Lake. The City of Houston purchased the office building in 1976, when LO_ Gragg and family donated the surrounding land for use as a park. Renovation of Gragg Park is included in the Houston Parks
Department project along wiLh the restoration of whaL is now known as the Gragg Building_ Harrison Kornberg Architects is planning the building's rehabilitation. Asakura Robinson Company is the landscape archiLecL for the park and grounds renovation. Anna Mod of LFC, Inc. and Michael Gaertner were the preservation consultants.
TxDOT Eliminates Enhancements Greater Houston Preservation Alliance has joined with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Texas and Texas Downtown Association to challenge the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) decision to eliminate funding for the Transportation Enhancement Program. Since the program began in 1991, local governments across Texas have received federal grants worth more than $466 million for 505 projects, including downtown streetscape programs, visitor centers, historic preservation projects and hike and bike trails.t TxDOT abolished the program when the federal government cut $305 million, or about 2 %, of the state's $14.5 billion 2004-2009 allocation to help cover the cost of the Iraq war and hurricane reconstruction_ If TxDOT's decision stands, Texas will be the only state in the Union that does not benefit from federal transportation enhancement funding_ In Houston, TxDOT's decision eliminates $16 million that had been allocated to restore the Battleship TEXAS and jeopardizes the creation of the Buffalo Bayou Heritage Corridor. Both the US Code for the Surface Transportation Program (23 USC 133) and SAFETEA-LU (Public Law 109-59) state that 10
percenL of federal transportation funding is to go to enhancement projects, bUL the TxDOT has decided, on its own and without consulting state legislators, to take away this valuable source of funding. The Houston area has benefited greatly from the program. Enhancement dollars have been used to construct or improve the White Oak Bayou, Braes Bayou and Hermann Park trails, support the MKT/SP Rails to Trails project, construct pedestrian improvements in West University Place and repair Allen's Landing in downtown Houston. The FOrL Bend County Courthouse resLoration in Richmond, Dickinson Depot restoration, Mustang Trail in Alvin and League City bikeways project have all received enhancement funds. Please tell the Texas Transportation you disagree with TxDOT's decision to eliminate the Transportation Enhancement Program. The Commission does not accept phone calls, faxes or emails, so please send your written comments to: Mr. Ric Williamson Chairman Texas Transportation Commission 125 East 11th Street Austin, Texas t78701-2483.
Harris County Moves Forward on Preservation Projects Harris County judge Robert Eckels has reaffinned the $65 million commitment for the restoration of the National Register-listed Harris County Courthouse (1910) in downtown Houston. The master plan for restoring the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark includes reopening the central rotunda and reconstructing the major entry stairways on the San jacinto and Fannin fai;ades, reversing alterations that were made during a 1953 remodeling. Interior demolition is currently scheduled to be completed in May 2007. The master plan was created with a $500,000 grant from Texas Historical Commission through the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program. Since the program began, 58 counties across the state have begun or completed restorations on their historic courthouses. In each project, private funds were raised to supplement the local governments commitment. The Friends of Harris County Courthouse
will play an active role in the private fundraising efforts. The Friends group is currently working to uncover historic photographs and other documentation of the buildings interior and exterior, and is also seeking original furnishings and ornamentation from the building. Historic photos taken inside the Courthouse are of particular interest, especially those showing courtrooms and public areas before the building was altered. Anyone who would be willing to share documents or artifacts with the Friends group may contact Posey Parker at 713-666-1280 or
mparker28@houston.rr.com. Historic Documents Preservation Project Harris County District Clerk Charles Bacarisse continues his efforts to preserve the Countys historic documents while making them available to the public. The Historic Document Reading Room opened in October in the County District Clerk's Office, Room 200, in the Civil District
Courts Building, 201 Caroline. The public is welcome to use the facility to view preserved documents dating back to the 1830s. Opening the reading room is the most recent step in the District Clerk's Historic Documents Preservation Project. This ongoing effort is preserving irreplaceable historic documents dating back to the Republic of Texas, including public records filed and signed by Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston and Mirabeau B. Lamar. GHPA recognized the outstanding work of Bacarisse and the Harris County Records Office staff with the Stewart Title Award presented during the 2004 Good Brick Awards. The Historic Document Reading Room is open from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays. For more information about the project and the reading room, call 713-755-9463 or email historicalreadingroom
The Harris County Courthouse is one of 100 buildings included in the new book Historic Texas Courthouses, which has been named Texas Highways magazines "Best Book of 2006" and Preservation magazines "Book of the Year for Texas." The book was written by GHPA Advisory Board member Michael Andrews and features 400 color photographs by Paul Hester and Lisa Hardaway. GHPA staff shared their architectural and preservation expertise during the editing process. Historic Texas Courthouses may be ordered through GHPAS online Bookstore at www.ghpa.orglbookstore!.
@hcdistrictclerk.com.
2007 Good Bricll Awards Project Teams Although the Good Brick Awards are presented to the property owners and developers, most successful historic preservation projects are the result of collaborative efforts. GHPA is pleased to recognize the organizations and individuals who worked on these exceptional projects. Roy &: Margaret Farrar House 511 Lovett Gensler
House by William R. Jenkins 10920 Willowisp Champion Contractors
Architect
Anna Mod
House by William A. Wilson 4620 McKinney Connie Cooper, CC
Preservation Consultant
Piedmont Contractors
Primary Contractor
David &: Gloria Frame House 411 Westminster Stern and Bucek Architects Eaves Construction
Herbert R. Paine House 232 Emerson Kahanek Construction
Harrisburg Plaza 5104 Harrisburg Weaver Davis &: Jacob Realty Group, llC
Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church 6621 Main Bailey Architects, Inc.
Primary Contractor
~ ~:
Henderson + Rogers Structural Engineer
Architect
foP
State Fann ITATI .A.M Insurance has provided a $10,000 grant INIU.ANC\ to support the Historic Neighborhoods Council. State Fann Community Citizenship Specialist Dawn Moses presented the check during GHPAS Annual Meeting. The grant is from the Good Neighbor Citizenship Program, which is dedicated to building strong communities. landmark Theatres graciously provided the River Oaks Theatre for GHPAS Annual Meeting. Weingarten OM:1 Realty's 1l !~; ~ planned redevelopment of ..-\ the site has -S~ ~A1'\l. landed the theater (1939) and River Oaks Shopping Center (1937) on GHPAS Endangered list.
A
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Kuo &: Associates, Inc.
Karol Kreymer
Civil Engineer
Project Consultant
Harris County Courthouse (1910).
g
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Engineer
Holy Rosary Church 3617 Travis Marion Spiers, AlA
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-:
Burns Delatte &: McCoy, Inc.
Tellepsen Builders
Fretz Construction Company
Project team members were prOVided by the award recipients. Listing does not constitute endorsement by GHPA.
lucia, Inc.
Singing in the Rain Period music fills the air while colorful umbrellas bloom from the windows and balcony of the historic Foley House (1904) in artist jo Anne Fleischauer's Parasol Project. Houston Arts Alliance funded the imaginative installation on view through Wednesday, February 28, on Avenida de las Americas between Capitol and Rusk. The unusual patterns on the parasols are actually enlarged, hand-colored brain-scan prints symbolizing the memories the
house contains. William Foley, uncle of the founders of Foleys Department Store, built the Classical Revival style house in what was then the Quality Hill neighborhood. His daughter Blanche occupied the home until her death in 1965. The City of Houston now owns the property and is developing preservation plans for the Foley House and the neighboring Cohn House (1905), the historic residential area's lone survivors.
Masonry and Stone Carving
GHPA is a member of the Kroger Share Card Program. Whenever you present GHPA's Share Card at any Kroger store, GHPA will receive a portion of the sale To take part in the program, cut out the Share Card reproduced here and present it to the
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checker before your purchase is rung up.The share card must be presented each time you shop for GHPA to fully benefit from the rebate program. To receive additional Share Cards, call 713-216-5000 or e-mail dbush@ghpa.org.
Greater Houston Preservation Alliance
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Greater Houston Preservation 2006-2007 Board oj Directors
A
lance
Officers Eileen Hricik President
Tony Abyad President Elect
Rick Walton Past President
Alfred J. Calloway VP-Communication
Nancy Ames VP-Special Events
Lynne Bentsen Secretary
Larry Whaley Treasurer
L. Susan Hill VP-HNC/Programs
Bill Franks VP-Development
Voting Directors Natalye Appel Fred Baca Michelle Barnes Glenda Barrett Minnette Boesel
Tim Cisneros Dan Dubrowski Phyllis Griffin Epps Sidney Faust Charles Foster
Cindy Crane Garbs Diane Gendel Madeleine Hamm Andrew Kaldis Patricia Laurent c.c. Lee
Cora Sue Mach Beth Madison Jim Murnane Carmen Nadolney Patty Porter
Dr. Mary Ann Reynolds Randhir Sahni Louis H. Skidmore , Jr. Janet Spencer William W Stubbs
Non-Voting Ex-Officio R. George Cunningham Parliamentarian Patrick Van Pelt Chair, Harris County Historical Commission
Charles D. Maynard, Jr. Legal Counsel
Cynthia Card Old Sixth Ward Neighborhood Assn .
Bart Truxillo Director Emeritus
Randy Pace City of Houston Historical Preservation Officer
Marlene Gafrick Director, City of Houston Dept. of Planning and Development
Business and Not -for-Profit Members 917 Franklin LandlMr. &: Mrs. Tony Abyad ALA-Houston Anspace Projects, Inc. Avenue CDC Blumenthal Sheet MetallBill Lipscomb Bowne BMS Management, Inc. Budweiser/Silver Eagle Distributors, LP Canyonlands Corp. City View LoftslDan Silverstri Clocktower Enterprises Club Quaners Houston Colliers International Cooke + Skidmore Consulting Corp. Cunningham Engineering Davey CompanieslPaul M. Davey English &: Associates, Architects, Inc. Fretz Construction Co. Geo. H. Lewis &: SonsIForest Park Lawndale Glassman Shoemake Maldonado Architects Greenwood King Propenies G.T. Leach Construction HawesHillCalderon, LLP Haynes Whaley Associates
Heights Funeral Home Heritage Texas Propenies Hermann Park Conservancy Hines History Consultants.net Hotel ICON Housing Horizons, LLClKimberly-Clark
Houston Chronicle Houston HispaniC Forum
Houston House & Home Imperial Venture, Inc. JE. Dunn Construction John Daugheny Realtors Johnson &: Maxey JPMorganChase Kaldis Development Interests Kirksey The Lancaster The Law Office of David McEwing Lawndale An Center Lionstone Madison Benefits Group Mattheisen &: Associates MECA
Minnette Boesel Propenies Nadolney Enterprises Natalye Appel + Assoc., Architects Nonh Houston Bank Ostendorf Tate Barnett &: Wells PageSoutherlandPage Parkside Homes Past Era Antique Jewelry/Mrs. Marion Glober Prestige Builders Ray + Hollington Architects Rice Design Alliance State Farm Insurance Stewan Title STOA International Story Sloanes Gallery Taste of Texas Tindall &: Foster, PC UniverSity of Houston-Downtown Walter P Moore Ward &: Ames Special Events Watkins Hamilton Ross Architects Webb Architects Weaver, Davis &: Jacob Realty Group William W Stubbs &: Associates
The mission oj Greater Houston Preservation Alliance (GHPA) is to promote the preservation and appreciation oj Houston~ architectural and cultural historic resources through education, advocacy and committed action, thereby creating economic value and developing a stronger sense oj community. GHPA is a 501 (c) (3) not-Jor-profit corporation. GHPA is funded in part by a grant Jrom the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance. For Preservation is
published with the generous support oj Houston House &: Home magazine. Copyright 2007 Greater Houston Preservation Alliance. All rights reserved. David Bush, editor. Photography by David Bush, unless otherwise credited.
GHPA Calendar For updated information on each of the following events, please visit the Web sites indicated. Friday, February 2 The Cornerstone Dinner presenting the 2007 Good Brick Awards. 7 p.m. River Oaks Country Club. www.ghpa.org Thursday, February 7 Preservation Day in Austin. Announcement of Texas' Most Endangered Historic Places. 10:30 a.m. South steps of the State Capitol. www.preservationtexas.org GHPA Walking Tours Sundays, February 11, March 11 and April 8. 2 p.m. www.ghpa.org Greater Houston Preservation Alliance 712 Main Street, Suite 110 Houston , Texas 77002-3207 Address Service Requested
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