Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Request by Morgan Newman & Jason Manske for Approval of a Historic Marker for the Property Located at 611 W Virginia Street.
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
MEETING DATE: January 15, 2026
DEPARTMENT: Development Services - Planning Department
CONTACT: Rayna Alam, Historic Preservation Planner I
Cassie Bumgarner, Planning Manager
RECOMMENDED HPAB ACTION:
• Staff recommends approval of the Historic Marker application request.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• The applicant requests approval of a Historic Marker under the HNIZ Program for the property at 611 W Virginia Street.
• To be eligible for a historic marker under the HNIZ program, residential properties must meet the minimum eligibility requirements of the program, provide specific information with the historic marker application.
• Specifically, the applicant must provide the following with an application for a historic marker:
o A written documented history.
o Verification that the building is a minimum of 50 years of age.
o Verification that the residential property is located within the HNIZ boundary.
o Photo documentation of all four elevations using black and white or color photographs and copies of any available historic photographs.
o Legal description of the property with a location map.
o A site plan of the property shall be provided, if available.
o Additional information as deemed necessary by the Director of Planning or their designee.
• Staff has reviewed the request and has found that it meets the minimum eligibility requirements of the HINZ program for a historic marker.
The home is listed as a high priority building in the 2023 Historic Resources Survey. High Priority - Contributes significantly to local history or broader historical patterns; 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.
Construction and alterations to the property:
• The Gerrish-Johnson House was built c. 1898 and was built as a single-story, t-shaped frame dwelling used as a rental property.
• Between approximately 1908 and 1914, the house underwent its most significant expansion which included the addition of a second story and rear extensions.
• A substantial rehabilitation began in 1979 including an interior reconfiguration, removing a dining room wall to open up the kitchen area, and restoration of original wood floors.
• In 1996, further restoration occurred which focused on both interior and exterior preservation efforts.
• Several changes occurred between 1985 and 2005 including the removal of a carport and a third peak on the roof, a closed-rail porch changed to an open rail design, a set of upstairs windows were removed to make way for a chimney for an added downstairs fireplace, and a pair of French doors were removed and used to make two new windows downstairs.
History of the home and people associated with the property:
• The initial property was associated with Dr. Scott Harrison Abbott who used the house as a rental property.
• Dr. Abbott was a prominent McKinney physician, businessman, and landholder. He owned multiple parcels in the area and was actively involved in real estate transactions throughout Collin County.
• The next owner was Wellington Charles “Will” Gerrish, marking a clear transition from rental use to long-term owner occupancy.
• Mr. Gerrish was a well-known McKinney businessman and civic leader. He was actively engaged in the grocery trade, including ownership and partnership in enterprises such as Barnes & Gerrish and later Gerrish & Fryer, with business locations along East Virginia Street. Contemporary newspaper accounts reference Gerrish as a successful merchant and community figure.
• The property was sold in 1955 to Joe and C.H. Sullivan.
• In the latter half of the twentieth century, the property changed hands several times including ownership by Edsel and Doris Harris and later Dallas and Frances McCullough, Maxey Sr. and Lillian Batson, and Michael and Melanie Trost.
• In 1979, the property was purchased by Tom and Barbara Swing.
• In 1996, the home was purchased by William and Rosie Hughes and stayed in their possession until 2023.
• The home was purchased by the current owners, Morgan Newman and Jason Manske, in 2024.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The Historic Neighborhood Improvement Zone (HNIZ) Program was established in 2008 for the purpose of preserving the city’s unique and historic neighborhoods while encouraging property owners to maintain and/or rehabilitate residential properties and structures.
• The HNIZ Program includes a three-tiered incentive structure whereby residential properties that meet specified criteria are eligible to receive ad valorem tax exemptions on city taxes for a designated period.
• To be eligible for an HNIZ Program incentive, the following minimum general requirements apply:
o The property shall be located within the HNIZ Program area.
o The property shall be owner-occupied and shall maintain a homestead exemption from the Collin Central Appraisal District for the life of the incentive period.
o Verified, eligible improvements shall have received all necessary permits and approvals, including COAs.
o The structure, accessory structures, grounds, property elements and building elements with their materials and finishes have been maintained in good repair and in operable condition.
o There are no pending code violations.
o The total ad valorem taxes owed to the city must be current and paid on time.
• The historic marker is one of the requirements for the Marker Level incentive of the HNIZ program.
• Under Ordinance #2022-03-036, if the HPAB approves the Marker, the applicant will be responsible for purchasing and displaying the Historic Marker.