Establishing an Historical Landmark - 513 Harrison Ave.

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ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION This house is a two-story foursquare type constructed entirely in split-rock faced concrete block with very unique ornamental features including water table and mid-story stringcourse articulated with a leaf motif cast into the concrete units. The roof is an asymmetrical hip-roof with a vent dormer protruding at the peak and facing the Polmongle court. frontage. The chimney reflects Victorian formal influence (Neo-Jacobian) modeled in the cast concrete block. Window openings are articulated with cast sills and headers embellished with animal faces at each end of the header. The windows t.hernselves are wood double hung type. The plan deviates from the usual foursquare with a beveled corner at the left front and a bay extending at a 45 degree angle flanking the one-story covered front porch which is also constructed in the split--faced block with an ornamental balustrade of cast concrete. RECOMMENDATION Based on the Historic Preservation Commissions Local Landmarks Criteria as adopted by the Common Council, the building at 513 Harrison Avenue has been recommended to the Common Council for designation as a Local Historic Landmark by the Historic Preservation Commission. The building meets the criteria in at least three areas: 1.) Its character, interest and value as part of the development heritage, or culture of the city of South Bend, St. Joseph County, the state of Indiana or the United States of America. 2.) Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship which represents an architectural characterist:.ic or innovation. 3.) Its suitability for preservation. The building fulfills criteria 4~1 as an example of a single family housing unit located at the rear of a lot and oriented to the alley, a situation especially common in the northwest neighborhood of South Bend and increasingly becoming rare and endangered. The building fulfills criteria 4~2 as an example of a single family house constructed entirely of concrete block molded to replicate split faced stone. Although this material was commonly employed in foundations for frame buildings, relatively few structures used this material so extensively. If the supposition that the building was constructed by one or both masons named Palm.iter, it may have been conceived as a demonstration for the emp.loyrnc~nt of these materials to promote their business or trade. The other precast concrete decorative features are also very unique. The building is rated Significant 11 in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory. The building fulfills criteria at3 by the integrity of its original. construction with only minor alterations. DBD 1/28/97