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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Landmark Commission - 03/25/2004 400 MINUTES w " ` " t`' LANDMARK COMMISSION MEETING CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, FIRST FLOOR OF CITY HALL 1, k _I- MARCH 25, 2004 n f1 Y SL ti 1 's r%j MEMBERS PRESENT: Mr. Myron Grossman,Chairman6 £d' \ Ms.Susan Abarca 99q Dr. David Blanke Mr.James Bright Mr. David Brown Ms.Grandis Lenken Dr.Richard Moore Mr. Herb Morrison Ms.Julia Nyguen Mr.Elmon Phillips Mr.Craig Thompson Ms. Bunny Tinker Mr. David Wallace MEMBERS ABSENT: Dr.Thanes Krerneck (Excused) Mr. Kevin Maraist (Excused) STAFF PRESENT: Ms. Faryce Goode-Macon,City Planner Ms. Undo W lllams,Recording Secretary Mr. Myron Grossman, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 4:35 p.m. The roll was called and a quorum was declared. Six new commissioners were welcomed and introduced to the Landmark Commission. Commissioners and staff introduced themselves. The new commissioners were James Bright, David Brown, Herb Morrison, Julia Nguyen, Craig Thompson, and David Wallace. Mr. Bright Is a retired architect and has worked with the Landmark Commission on several historical projects. Mr. Bright satisfies the competency of an architect filling the vacancy of Terry Orf. Mr. Brown is an architect with the firm of Ferrell/Brown &Associates, Inc. also satisfying the competency of an architect and filling the vacancy of Alan Wahlers. Mr. Morrison Is a Corpus Christi native and is with the architectural firm of WKMC Architects, satisfying the competency of a regular member and filling the vacancy of Sharon Brower. Ms. Nguyen is a history professor at Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi and satisfies the competency of a history teaches filling the vacancy of Alan Belcher. Mr. Thompson Is civil engineer with Naismith Engineering, Inc. satisfying the competency of a regular member,and Mr.Wallace Is with ERA W mdward Properties and satisfies the competency of a regular member,filling the vacancy of Geraldine McGIdn. ACTION ITEM: Approval of February 26, 2004 Minutes: The minutes for the February 26, 2004 meeting were approvedwith the noted corrections: Page 1, Other Matters,third paragraph, second sentence should read: Yvlr. Phillips continued that three of the officers were later presidents of the United States.' The minutes read"two." Page 2, Fourth paragraph, first sentence should read" 'Dr. Moore commented that when the war started, Pope stated he received a mystery visitor,which turned out to be an emissary of Santa Anna. The minutes omitted the phrase'an emissary of. . . OTHER MATTERS: Historical Presentation on Cuttural Aspects of Early 1900s: Mr. Myron Grossman, Chairman, addressed the commission. Mr. Grossman slated in continuing his effort In providing historical and educational Information to commission members, Dr. David Blanke, history professor at Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi, would be the presenter for today's meeting. Dr. Blanke will present highlights of his recent published book entitled 'American Popular Cultural Through History." At this point In the meeting,the floor was opened to Dr. Blanke. SCANNED (110 11.10 Landmark Commission Meeting March 25,2004 Page 2 Dr. Blanke began his presentation by stating that when he was asked by Mr. Grossman to give a brief summary of his book, he found It an Interesting experience in re-examining what he had previously written. Dr. Blanke continued that the book deals with a decade period of time in popular culture in U. S. History. Dr. Blanke stated that Ray Brown, who was a series editor, requested him to contribute to this series and the only qualification was that he would have the chapter headings laid out. Dr. Blanks stated he would briefly review what the book was trying to accomplish. The chapter headings were entitled: "Everyday America. The World of youth. Advertising, Architecture, Fashion, Food, Leisure Activities, Literature, Music, Performing Pols, Travel, and Visual Art C as well as a series of appendixes. Dr. Blanke stated that in talking with Mr. Brown, he told him that In each of the headings was almost a study in and of themselves, Dr. Blanks continued that as he went back through the book, the approach was not the typical scholarly one where the author would look at a topic, idea or some sort of question and carry it from Its inception and origin through to its conclusion. The book starts in 1910 and ends In 1919 and it really posed quite a challenge in trying to tell a story in this manner. Dr. Blanke.continued one of the things he did In starting the book was to define that a decade was a period of time that was artificial because that was how we thought as a society. As an example, Dr. Blanke cited how events and happenings were often referred to as it happened in She teens, 80s, 70s, and 90s." Dr. Blanke stated that a study of cultural history was really one trying to get Into the mindset of the population that was being studied. As a result, the analysis of the decade was an interesting one. Dr. Blanke stated he would not be reviewing each section, but he would do a reflection what he found of this decade. He continued that he did not have Corpus Christi's history buried in the book, but obviously, the 1919 hurricane factored large into the history of Corpus Christi. Dr. Blanke continued that one of the elements that he considered was how this book might relate to this group is the mindset of the American culture at this point and time. The 1910s was a phenomenal decade and it was a decade where events were taking place that literally shaped this country that we take for granted. Dr. Blanke stated that the 1910s was when World War I took place probably the most important transformative event of the 20'n century. Also in this decade was'progressivism:which the same could be said about the pditiccl sentiment. It could be argued that we are still seen as progressives, liberals or conservatives and arguing over a progressive agenda. The politicians of that era have always been interesting. In 1912, there was a presidential election. Theodore Roosevelt,Woodrow Wilson, Eugene Debs, and W. R. Taft were four men who were in the top ten list of their categories all vying for the same presidency; which gave an indication of the type of engagement that Americans had and also the type of response that leading men and Individuals in society had towards that engagement. Dr. Blanke stated that it was his thought that democratic countries hove great leaders when the society calls upon them to lead-gNing them a reason to be engaged. this was one of the things that was evident in the 1910s--the reason for strong engagement. During the 1910s,the first lime for mass production of the automobile came on the scene, the Model T was built. manufacturing, took root, and motion pictures went from a backroom industry to a three-quarter of a billion dollar industry. By 1919, the motion picture industry was the fifth largest Industry in the United States. It did not exist In 1910. Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford were not heard of. Ms. Pickford was emblematic of what culture did in the 1910s. In 1904, she was a penniless Canadian immigrant who started working the vaudeville stage in 1911 earning $100.00 per month. By 1919, she was earning nearly$1 million per year and became co-owner of the United Mists Distribution Company. By the end of that period of time, things and events began to look very familiar. That decade was also a time fa new risks-automobile safely issues became an Issue. Dr. Blanke continued that his current research discusses that some topic of automobile safely Issues during the same period of time. Dr. Blanke continued that this was the same era of the Manic,the Easling tragedy, which was the Great Lakes passenger liner in the United States. We live in the world of modern society that is constantly changing and our perception of what risk is also changing. Dr. Blanke continued that he refers to them as trivial, but they are much more everyday aspects of this book. In re- reading the book, more things were found to be more meaningful-the founding of the Boys Scout, convenience and fast foods were coming on the scene, the way In which people dressed changed, and the way in which the automobile was used also changed. Also, the way in which we communicate amongst ourselves with our consumer goods changed very rapidly In the 1910s. Dr. Blanke continued that one of the things for the Landmark Commission was that the clack actually storied at the end of the book for the city of Corpus Christ81. After 1919, everything started new for Corpus Christi, but it started anew with the sense of what was taking place up to that print and time. Dr. Blanke slated he was shuck by not only the sense of optimism,but the sense of progress that still resided in this population--even with the First World War, and the disappointments of those issues that were previously discussed. Dr. Blanke stated he wanted to briefly discuss the trends that were outlined in the book rather than go into detail about the narrative. The book was written in an informative format. The book really takes a stroll through the various categories outlined in the book. What Is clearly shown during this period of time is a moving away from European standards, tastes and cultural. Dr. Blanke continued that Americans became much more confident in what was uniquely their own. The cultural did not have to mirror European interests. Certainly Worid War I was gong to accelerate on that tradition and Americans looked upon that the European country was a declining, decadent and aristocratic society and their war was really of the 19'"century and the United States was a country of the 20th century. Dr. Blanke stated that 0 V Landmark Commssbn Meeting March 25,2004 Page 3 the moving away really takes it most forceful expression was in architecture. there was twenty years of experience of Americans building a very modern and simplified style. Architecture took on the form of an American utilitarianism-o kind of usefulness. It took place in the modern architecture of Louie Sullivan and Fronk Wright,and It also took place in almost everyday fashion. The development of the'bungalow"style of architect was one of those domestic architecture facets that became one of the most common home forms of domestic tortes of architecture. This was happening during the 1910 arts and crafts movement was merged in the 1910s to produce a major boom in the California bungalow construction. The bungalow style of architect became an Instant hit across the country, dating back at least a decade and relying on forms first pioneered by the British and Colonial India, which Is where the name came from. The bungalow was the Ideal California home. The style was Simple, versatile and casual Inexpensive and closely linked to the Californians'love of the outdoors. Dr. Blanke read a quote written by architect and social critic, Charles Boyd that`the bungalow Is of all American home styles. truly the most nationalist." Dr. Blanke continued that In talking about landmarks one should keep in mind that these are trends that are really American in their components and the bungalow was certainly one of them. During this same period of time, there was a resurrection of the more classic style of architect-the Lincoln Memorial was constructed during the 1910s, the New York Public Library was also constructed during that lime period. They were all of the same Greek classical style with simplicity, shaightfawardness, and very early national American. The second trend that was discussed In the book was that not only was America more comfortable with Its own form of cultural, but It was much more inclusive of Americans culturally speaking. Dr. Blanke stated this was an ironic kind of twist because the 1910s were a period of time when a more formal policy o1 eugenics was beginning to form In American's academies. People were beginning to talk about racial theory-notions of race and ethnicity In ways that were very problematic to a very modern mind. Dr. Blanke continued that he always quoted a report to his survey class that was made to President Hoover in 1932 that was published based on all 01 the leading sources. That section included in the report talked very proudly about the forward progress of the American's eugenics program. This was taking place In a formal way while at the same time our cultural was absorbing largely immigrants, basically speaking about the alien aspect of the Jewish immigrant experience, African-American, and other minorities within the united States. Their cultural was being absorbed and defined as typically American. The area focused upon again in the 1910s, which was a very busy decade, was the rise of popular music, particularly jazz. The 1910s were really the oddment for the an era, but It began to break in the 1920s. Jazz came from ragtime, which was an Interesting fusion of African-American sounds. African-American music is largely a rhythm based sound in a participatory style of must and with European notation styles. Most of us could hum a good tune a have a good beat, but someone like Scott Joplin, an African-American composer, was able to pull those Iwo things together. The reason It was the basis for American music was because there was strong sense of beat,where the audience could follow along and participate In the music. this was the genesis and basis fa popular modern music from country western to urban hip hop to gangsta rap. fie third trend was the commitment to realism. Dr. Blanke stated what was meant by this statement was that stylize form of entertainment and cultural ideally looking to society as to how man and woman should act In a certain way. All of the cultural portentous began to face and in essence,Americas began to say this is the world In which we live in and the art of the periods of time will reflect this. This was the one period of time where traditions In America modern art running very counter to the traditions in European modern art. Today, we remember the European masters of the modern art movement-such greats as Picasso, Matese'. In the American scene, It was the Sloane's and the Glackens'and the individuals who were making images like a simple pen and Ink drawing of a group of tenement dwellers who were sleeping on top of their tenement because it was a hot summer night. the drawing depicts a sense of collective behavior and It was called 'Group Summer Night by John Sloan. The American realist tendencies does two things- not only does it run counter to European trends, but it also started something that we are all familiar with which was conversation that crossed classes,genders,ethnicity and race. The fourth trend discussed was that all of this together really commercialized American cultural. During these periods of time, most of these events took place In a commercial setting. Making money through cultural was as old as time itself, but doing It on a mass phenomenon was one that would have interesting repercussions. Individuals like Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford, both of whom were foreign ban, who had a phenomenal influence on the lives of many Americans. Between 1914 and 1918,there was no one Individual more popular than Charlie Chaplin. People were able to participate in 'Chaplin Mania" through dress ups and contests to see who could walk like him. The commercial aspect of that had to be reckoned with In terms of what it did to modern society. Dr. Blanke stated he wanted to close his presentation by pulling It all together In talking about modern sports. One of the leisure activities that the book focused upon were popular sporting events. Football, which went from a really elite college pastime,to the nation's game. The sport of football was something which was appealing to the sense of participatory consumer popular culture. Boxing is still the number one pastime, In spite of what " Landmark Commission Meeting March 25,2004 Page 4 baseball consumers say. Dr. Blanke continued that baseball will change more than any other sport. Some of the changes outlined in the book were stars,high pay,and the modern stadiums led to a cycle of escalating interest in attendance. Good players were Increasingly lauded for how well they exemplified American values. Rising salaries and the 1912 formation of the players' union gave strong encouragement to others to avoid embarrassing brawls and alcohol abuse. Managers began to require the players to dress and act like professionals while In the public eye. Baseball clubs looked to hire college educated athletes, many of whom like Jim Thorpe, had already made names for themselves nation wide. By 1920, nearly 20 percent (7 In 5) of the rookies coming to the professionals were coming from the college ranks. Even the empires are better paid and abused less, therefore, signifying a change. Dr. Blanke stated he was concluding by drawing this section to a close by focusing on what was the most infamous 1919 scandals, which was the Chicago White Sox baseball team soling of the World Series. Five of the players admitted they had taken bribes in order to throw that series. The White Sox team was heavily favored against the Cincinnati Reds back when the series was a nine-game series and they lost 5 to 3. That scandal sort of embodied the possibilities of what we do, as o society, when we rely on our cultural in a commercialize fashion. Commissiki himself realty came out of that tradition of not having professional players, not paying them well, and not treating them well and his players responded by throwing the world series. In a sense, It was exemplary of the kind of society that we are living in. Its popular and it becomes much more ingrained In everyday society and we start to look to sports as an example of ways in which to live our lives, but it is tied to that commercial aspect that can constantly pull the rug from underneath us. It Is not as unifying and the sort of uplifting phenomenon that it was at the start of the decade. Dr. Blanke stated that we tend to think of our Wes In ten year terms--the 70s, 80s,and the 90s. There is a real sense of reality when people think about this decade as a meaningful concept. Mr. Phillips asked Dr. Blanke If this was a series of books and Dr. Blanke answered yes this book was part of a series. Greenwood Press stoned with the 20"1 Century, but they are gong back to the Colonial America. They ale trying to stay within Rase categories,even though each writer may use a different style or format,the categories will be the same. Mr. Grossman and commission members expressed thanks to Dr. Blanke for a very interesting and informative discussion on his book Mr. Grossman stated that the city really began to take on its on Individuality In 1900. The commission files to find buildings and homes that have been saved so that there is a touch of the past along with the present. One of the things we can feel good about why we did hove more qualified members on the commission and that the commission will become a real powerhouse. (tate on Council Date for 402 Peoples Street properly: Ms. Foryce Goode-Macon, Staff Liaison,addressed the commission. Ms. Macon gave brief Information on the 402 Peoples Street property for benefit of the new commissioners. Ms. Macon stated that the property at 402 Peoples Street was presented to the Landmark Commission for consideration of a historical designation. The properly is a cladded building,which was the national bank in 1908. The Landmark Commission reviewed the property and made the determination that the building should not receive the full 1-C" designation, but it was worthy of the "potential landmark' designation. The commission's recommendation was forwarded to the Planning Commission and was recommended for approval as a "potential landmark' designation. The Landmark Commission and the Planning Commission's recommendations will be forwarded to City Council for final action. Mr. Grossman stated he wanted to form a subcommittee In determining where the historical city limit boundaries of Corpus Christi were in the various time periods. Mr. Grossman continued he was hoping to have volunteers to serve on this committee and do the research in finding various historical points of Interests. At the last meeting, it was discussed about the location of Colonel Kinneys post. Dr. Moore stated about four years ago, he worked on a project that researched the possible location of that post and he found nothing. Mr. Phillips stated the old post was thought to be located where the current Southwestern Bell phone company Is located. Ms. Tinker added that the Nueces County Commission published a book regarding the boundaries and they have been pretty well defined. After further discussion, the'following members volunteered to serve on the committee: Mr. Phillips, Ms.Abarca, Dr. Moore. Ms. Nguyen,and Mr.Grossman. Ms. Macon stated that the Morningside Neighborhood is attempting to identify boundaries of the subdivision in the first of many phases in apply for national register y. Ms. Tinker asked how did the Morningside Neighborhood become interested in the designation and Ms. Macon answered that Gretchen Arnold, former city employee, resides In that area and she is the one of the lead persons for the neighborhood who is pursuing the designation. Ms. Tinker asked Ms. Macon if she knew why the Landmark Commission was not involved with the Lexington's National Register designation and Ms. Macon answered not at this time, but she would loo:into It. Landmark Commission Meeting March 25,2004 Page 5 Mrs. Macon stated she spoke with a prospective purchaser of the house located at 801 Tancahua,and he is interested in pursing a"HC"designation for the house. He is also considering relocating the house to the Del Mar area. The house was formerly located on Furman Avenue. Ms. Tinker Informed the commission that the owner of the property located at 822 Furman Is trying to build a house at the location, but the property has a deed restriction. Ms. linker continued that she formerly owned the property and she wanted to know if the owner had obtained a building permit to start building. The property was supposed to be coded in the city's database so that the Landmark Commission would be notified. Ms. Macon Informed commission members that Tom Stewart and Vernon Wuenche worked together on an engineering presentation on the Knney Street Bridge and would like to present a power point presentation to the commission. Commissioners concurred they would like to review the presentation. Ms. Macon stated she would contact the gentlemen to see when they would be available to attend one of the meetings. For benefit of new commissioners. Ms. Tinker stated that engineering is a qualifying subject for"HC designations. Ms. linker continued that in the past, the commission has discussed designating the city's pump stations and the commission should consider reviewing this Idea again. it was disclosed that Mr.Tom Stewart is writing a book on civil engineering In the history of Corpus Christi. There being no further business,the meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Linda Warns Faryce Good Macon,City Planner Recor. • Secretary Staff Liaison andmark Commission f WORDurveALANDWM INARESNan504Mw.DOC)