Title
Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on the Request by David Phillip Bernard Bleecker, for Approval to Receive a Historic Marker for the House Located at 208 South College Street.
Summary
MEETING DATE: January 9, 2013
DEPARTMENT: Planning
CONTACT: Guy R. Giersch, Historic Preservation Officer
Ross Altobelli, Planning Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff is recommending approval of a Historic Marker for 208 South College Street.
PRIORITY RATING: The property is listed as a high priority building according to the 1985 Historic Resource Survey. A high priority building contributes significantly to local history or broader historical patterns. It is an outstanding or unique example of architecture, engineering or crafted design; retains a significant portion of its original character and contextual integrity; meets, in some cases, criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places and/or is eligible for a Texas Historical Marker.
ITEM SUMMARY: On December 10, 2012, the applicant submitted the necessary documentation to apply for a Historic Marker for the house at 208 South College Street.
The purpose of the Historic Marker Program is to encourage owners of historic properties to become actively involved in the preservation of McKinney’s historic past through the recognition of historic events, people, and architecture. The applicant has submitted a written narrative relating history of the various families that have owned the property or resided at 208 South College Street and the role they played in McKinney’s history.
The Hughes House is a fine example of a Queen Anne Victorian Style house that incorporates classical architectural details in the design of the porch. This type of Queen Anne Victorian represents about 35% of all Victorians in the U.S. It is a variant of the style which started being built with great regularity beginning in the 1890’s. Of note is the centered temple front motif which clearly indicates the single door primary entrance to the house. The porch wraps around the south side of the house and is supported with wood, Doric columns. The house, constructed 1905-07, is a 1 story home built using an irregular floor plan and a hipped roof with a cross gable. (The attic was converted into two bedrooms in 1975. As a result the house is now a 1½ story house.) Weatherboard lap siding covers the bulk of the house, including the battered foundation. The gables are filled using shingles that run on the diagonal. The original windows are double-hung, one-over-one, wood sashes. In 1975 the dormer and window in the gable were added.
George Hughes was born in Tennessee in 1862. He moved with his family to McKinney in 1872 and became a contractor and carpenter. He was a charter member of the Central Presbyterian Church and a Degree Staff Member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Empire Lodge, Number 8 in McKinney. On December 25, 1904 he married Mary Powell Middleton. They purchased the lot at 208 South College Street in 1905 from W.D. Davis and began construction on their house which was completed in 1907.
George and his wife, May Powell Middleton, lived in the house for 47 years. They had two children, Harold Hughes (1908 -1914) and Mary Elizabeth Hughes. Mary Elizabeth married Armyn Odell McKinney in 1933. Mary Elizabeth and Armyn lived with Mary Powell Hughes after George’s death in 1951. Mary Powell died in 1959 and Mary Elizabeth and Armyn continued to live in the house for another 13 years. They sold the house to B. F. Bass in 1972. Since 1975 there have been six owners of the 208 S. College residence.
Prior to 1975 the patio/porch at the rear of the house was converted into a utility room, laundry room, and master bedroom. In 1975 the attic was’ transformed into two additional bedrooms, a playroom, and sitting area. Over the years, since 1975, a few modifications have been made to the exterior as well as various upgrades made to preserve the home.
ASSESSMENT: Staff believes that the applicant has met all of the requirements to obtain a Historic Marker under the Historic Neighborhood Improvement Zone Program (Ordinance 2008-04-030). Therefore, Staff is recommending approval of a Historic Marker for 208 South College Street.
Under Ordinance 2008-04-030, if the HPAB approves the Marker, the applicant will be responsible for purchasing and displaying the Historic Marker.
Also, under Ordinance 2008-04-030, if the HPAB approves the Marker, the applicant may make application for a Level 1 tax exemption (100% exemption of the City’s ad valorem taxes, for a period of 15 years) providing the building has architectural integrity and has been properly rehabilitated/restored and maintained.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Historic Marker Application
• Historic Narrative and References
• Current photos of house
• Sanborn Maps
• Survey plat
• Photo of George Hughes