Establishing a Historical Landmark - 617 West LaSalle Ave

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ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION This is a two and a half story Queen Anne style house with three inch clap board siding, flared out between the first and second stories. The central chimney is made of brick with corbeling and toped by a large metal flue cap. The house has a 12/12 pitch pyramid roof with intersecting gables, bracketed overhangs and a molded frieze board. The house also boasts a double leaf glazed wood paneled door with simple jamb and molded entablature. The majority of the windows are wood 1/1 double hung with simple wood jambs, sills and molded entablature. However, there is an elaborately divided pair of fixed windows above the entry and an arch shaped picture window located in the first story with a key stone type element at the very top. The house has a front wooden entry porch with wood steps, sets of three wood supports,a lattice decorated pediment and bracketed eaves. RECOMMENDATION Based on the Historic Preservation Commission's Local Landmarks Criteria's adopted by the Common Council, the building at 617 W. LaSalle has been recommended to the Common Council for designation as a Local Historic Landmark by Historic Preservation Commission. The building meets the criteria in at least three areas: 1.) Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represents an architectural characteristic or innovation. 2.) Its suitability for preservation. 3.) Its identification with the life of a person or persons of historical significance. The building fulfills criteria #1 as an excellent example of a middle class Queen Anne style house. The building is rated a significant twelve in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory . The building fulfills criteria #2 by the integrity of its original construction with very minor changes to the facade and that it is an excellent example of a Queen Anne style house from the 1800s. The building fulfills criteria #3 by its association with Charles L. Goetz. Mr. Goetz was a prominent South Bend Businessman with his own cigar company on W. Jefferson and was Mayor of South Bend from 1910 to 1915. Staff finds that the building meets the criteria for designation as a Local Landmark and recommends that the Commission send such a recommendation to the Common Council. RLS 9/14/98