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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBill No. 43-16 Elbel House Historic Landmark DesignationSouth Bend and St. Joseph County HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION Timothy S. Klusczinski, President 16 August 2016 South Bend Common Council County —City Building South Bend, IN 46601 Dear Council Members, 227 WEST JEFFERSON BLVD SOUTH BEND, IN 46601 -1830 www.stjosepheountyindiana.com/sjchp/index.html Phone: 574-235-9798 Fax: 574-235-9578 e -mail: SBSJCHPC@co.st-joseph.in.us A Certified Local Government Elicia Feasel, Executive Director At the August 15, 2016 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County, the Commission held second reading on the proposed Local Landmark Designation for 806 Leland, commonly known as the Elbel House. The owner of the property spoke in favor, as well as the former owner, none in op- position. The Commission unanimously passed Resolution No. 16 -02 recommending to the Common Council the establishment of 806 Leland, for Historic Landmark status. A copy of Resolution No. 16 -02 is enclosed as well as a copy of the Proposed Local Landmark staff report, and a signed Owner Consent form from the previous and current owners. I look forward to its inclusion on a future Council agenda and am glad to answer any questions you may have. Sincerely, Elicia Feasel Executive Director COMMISSIONERS Thomas Gordon (Vice President) Mike Voll (Treasurer) Jennifer Parker (Architectural Historian) Elizabeth Hertel (Secretary) Kevin Buccellato Brandon Anderson Michele Gelfman STAFF Deb Parcell, Deputy Director Brett Hummer, Legal Counsel Steve Szaday, Preservation Specialist Filed in Clerk's Office AUG 16 2016 KAREEMAH FOWLER CITY CLERK, SOUTH SEND, IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONI of SOUTH BEND & ST. JOSEPH COUNTY EST. 1973 ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ESTABLISHING HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS FOR THE STRUCTURE AND REAL PROPERTY KNOWN AS ELBEL HOUSE AND LOCATED AT 806 LELAND AVENUE, IN THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND INTENT The building located at 806 Leland Avenue (the "Property "), in the City of South Bend, Indiana, is known as the Elbel House, in part by its association with Richard Elbel, for his musical legacy, his long- standing service to the City through the Park Board, his passion for preservation of green space, and his vision for city planning, especially streets and parks, and in part due to the structure's unique design and construction. The owner of the Property has petitioned the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County (the "Commission ") to have the Property designated as a Historic Landmark pursuant to South Bend City Ordinance No. 5565 -73, as amended. The Property is located within the Chapin Park Historic District of South Bend. The home was built in 1894 and is recognized in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory of South Bend with a 2007 rating of "Contributing," all prior to its recent restoration. The staff of the Commission has prepared a report and recommendation for the Commission. The Commission has reviewed the request and the Consent ofthe owner and has heard and discussed the recommendation of the staff for the designation of the Property as an Historic Landmark. Based on the HPC's Local Landmarks Criteria as adopted by the Common Council, the site at 806 Leland Avenue has been recommended to the Common Council for designation as aLocal Historic Landmark by the 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 represent an architectural characteristic or innovation. The building fulfills criteria #1 as an excellent example of Queen Anne Victorian architecture. Built in 1894, it exemplifies the architectural style through extensive exterior decoration, including original spindle and fretwork, a mixture of siding materials, ornate and columned porches, irregular rooflines and gables. 2. Its suitability for preservation. The building fulfills criteria #2 by by the integrity of the original construction, being completely intact architecturally on the exterior, including siding, ornate trim, original front and back doors, and all but one of the original first and second floor windows. 3. Its identification with the life of a person or persons of historical significance. The building fulfills criteria #3 by its association with its association with Richard Elbel, president of Elbel Brothers Music Store, and director of the South Bend Orchestra. Richard also served on the South Bend Parks Commission, being the only charter member to serve continuously until his retirement in 1939. He was instrumental in obtaining grants of land from property owners from Leeper Park northward, providing for the beginnings of what would become the Riverside Drive Parkway. In 1963, the golf course under development on the extreme northwest edge of South Bend was named in his honor. The Commission has conducted a public hearing, for the purposes of hearing comments on the designation of the Property as an Historic Landmark and for delivering a recommendation to the Common Council. Following the public hearing, the Commission has given its favorable recommendation to the Common Council of the City of South Bend to designate the Property as a Historic Landmark pursuant to Ordinance No. 5565- 73, as amended. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Desi nab The structure and real property known as the Elbel House and located at 806 Leland Avenue, in the City of South Bend, Indiana, shall be and hereby is designated and established as a Historic Landmark pursuant to Ordinance No. 5565 -73, as amended. That such designated and established Historic Landmark is more particularly described as: Lot 11 Shetterly Place 1" Addition. Section 2. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption by the Common Council and approval by the Mayor according to law. Member of the Common Council ATTEST: City Clerk Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana on the day of , 2016, at o'clock .m. City Clerk Approved and signed by me on the day of , 2016, at o'clock m. 1 st READING PUBLIC HEARING 3 rd READING NOT APPROVED REFERRED 0,' USED Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana Filed in Clerk's Office AUG 16 2016 KAR EMAH FOWLER CITY CLERK, SOUTH BEND, IN I RESOLUTION NO. 16 -02 A RESOLUTION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVE COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH INDIANA RECOMMENDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 806 LELAND AVENUE, SOUTH BEND, INDIANA HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS Filed in Clerk's Office AUG 16 2016 ON UN7*PEEMA H FOWLER CITY CLERK, SOUTH REND, IN WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County, Indiana (the "Commission ") exists and operates under the provisions of ordinances enacted by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, and the County Council of St. Joseph County, Indiana (the "Enabling Ordinances "); and WHEREAS, the Commission is empowered, pursuant to the Enabling Ordinances, to make recommendations to the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana for the establishment of historic landmarks; and WHEREAS, the owner of the property located at 806 Leland Avenue, South Bend, Indiana, (the "Property") has petitioned the Commission to have the Property designated as an Historic Landmark pursuant to South Bend City Ordinance No. 5565 -73, as amended; and WHEREAS, the Property is located in the Chapin Park Historic District and is recognized in the Indiana Historic Sites and Structures Inventory of South Bend with a current rating of "Contributing "; and WHEREAS, the staff of the Commission has prepared a report and recommendation for the Commission, which has reviewed the petition and Consent of the owner and the report prepared by the staff and has heard and discussed the recommendation of the staff for the designation of the Property as an Historic Landmark; and WHEREAS, the Commission has conducted a public hearing, for the purposes of hearing comments on the designation of the Property as an Historic Landmark and for delivering a recommendation to the Common Council of the City of South Bend to designate the Property as a Historic Landmark pursuant to Ordinance No. 5565 -73, as amended. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND ST. JOSEPH COUNTY AS FOLLOWS: 1. The building located at 806 Leland Avenue, South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana, "The Elbel House" is hereby recommended to the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, for the establishment as an Historic Landmark pursuant to Ordinance No. 5565 -73, as amended. 2. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the Commission. ADOPTED at a meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County, Indiana, held on August 15th, 2016, in the Conference Room, 1308 County -City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, Indiana 46601. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF SOUTH BEND AND T XT President ATTEST: v Secretary ri �._ 8o6 Leland Avenue Based on the HPC's Local Landmarks Criteria as adopted by the Common Council, the site at 8o6 Leland Avenue can be 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: i. Its embodiment of elements of architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship which represent 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 Queen Anne Victorian architecture. Built in 1894, it exemplifies the architectural style through extensive exterior decoration, including original spindle and fretwork, a mixture of siding materials, ornate and columned porches, irregular rooflines and gables. The building fulfills criteria #2 by the integrity of the original construction, being completely intact architecturally on the exterior, including siding, ornate trim, original front and back doors, and all but one of the original first and second floor windows. The building fulfills criteria #3 by its association with Richard Elbel, president of Elbel Brothers Music Store, and director of the South Bend Orchestra. Richard also served on the South Bend Parks Commission, being the only charter member to serve continuously until his retirement in 1939• He was instrumental in obtaining grants of land from property owners from Leeper Park northward, providing for the beginnings of what would become the Riverside Drive Parkway. In 1963, the golf course under development on the extreme northwest edge of South Bend was named in his honor. Elbel House 806 Leland Historical Context: The Elbel name was of great importance in South Bend from 1848 when Johann Friedrick Elbel, a 50- year -old musician and tile maker, along with his wife, Anna Susanna, came to South Bend from Arzberg, Germany. In 1854, Johann Elbel built a house at 300 West Marion Street in South Bend, which became the center of the Elbel family's musical tradition. The Elbel family founded the first choral society in South Bend in 1855. By 1867, nine Elbel families were living in the neighborhood around Marion and Lafayette Streets, which had attracted other immigrants from Arzberg, thus garnering the name Little Arzberg. The Elbel Concert Band and Orchestra, featuring Johann and Anna's sons John, Lorenz, Henry and Wolfgang, performed classical music at South Bend venues from 1858 -1918. Lorenz Elbel married Johanna Mainer in 1856, and they had six sons: Henry, Herman, Richard, Robert, Fred, and Louis. All were musically gifted like their father, especially Louis, who composed the University of Michigan fight song, The Victors, which was first performed by John Philip Sousa's Band in 1899. Richard Elbel (1867- 1949) opened a music store in South Bend at 114 North Michigan Street in 1880. His brothers soon joined the venture, naming it Elbel Brothers Music Store. The store remained in business for ninety years. Richard served as president of the business. Richard Elbel, the builder of 8o6 Leland, also served as director of the South Bend Orchestra, and a South Bend Parks Commissioner. Richard Elbel served on the Parks Commission with George M. Platner, W.W. Ridenour and Otis Romine. Elbel was known as the "Dean of South Bend Parks." He was the only charter member of the South Bend Parks Commission to serve continuously until his retirement in 1939• Richard Elbel displayed a love for the development and preservation of green space from early adulthood. He served the city without salary and always insisted on paying his own traveling expenses. He was reappointed by four different mayors from different political parties. In 192o Richard Elbel was elected President of the State Park Association. He was adamant of the need for city planning and in particular for parks and streets. He believed streets should include landscaping and a sensitivity to appearance, thus attaching himself to the landscape and urban parks movements which produced such wonders as Central Park in New York City and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. He was instrumental in obtaining grants of land 100 -200 feet wide from property owners from Leeper Park northward, providing for the beginnings of what would become the Riverside Drive Parkway. In 1963, South Bend Parks opened Elbel Golf Course, on the extreme northwest edge of South Bend, named in his honor. Richard and his wife, Maude, had two children, Verniece and Donald. The house at 8o6 Leland was built in 1894, and the family lived there from 1895 -1903, when the Elbels moved to 605 Portage Avenue in South Bend, staying in the Little Arzberg Neighborhood, some of which is now incorporated in the Chapin Park Neighborhood. Description of Building: The Elbel House is part of the Chapin Park Local Historic District, as well as Chapin Park National Register Historic District. The house is in the Queen Anne style with two full stories, as well as a basement, and finished attic with windows. The frame house with brick foundation has an irregular plan. Wood siding covers the first floor, while the second floor and attic gables are covered in wood shingle siding. The roof is pyramidal in design with cross gables, asphalt shingles, and molded cornices below the eaves. The windows are one - over -one double hung with molded entablatures. The corner windows on the south fagade have pendills and the front and back doors are wood with dentils and light. The porch has a coffered front pediment, balustrade, wooden columns resting on the original masonry supports, and concrete porch floor and steps. Location NotesJLegal Description: The land referred to in this Commitment, situated in the County of St Joseph, State of Indiana, is described as follows: Lot 11 Shetterly Place 1St Addition. Landmarks Criteria: The life of Richard Elbel and his impact on South Bend makes his home an ideal candidate for local landmark status. The Elbel family's musical legacy to the city of South Bend through formation of the first choral society and the Elbel Concert Band and Orchestra, and establishment of Elbel Brothers Music Store had a major impact on the city's life and culture from its early days. Richard Elbel's service to the city through the Park Board, his passion for preservation of green space, and his vision for city planning, especially streets and parks, resulted in improvements that survive to present day. The Elbel house is a fine example of Queen Anne architecture, typical of the Victorian period. Both the interior and exterior remain largely intact, with interior alterations made during a 1950's conversion to apartments being reversed as of 2016. The interior features 12 foot ceilings, hard wood floors, solid wood pocket doors, and the original fireplace which preserves its carved wooden mantel with columns, file work and metal built -in surround. The house retains many of its original solid wood paneled doors and Orientalized hardware. Additionally, an elaborate foyer with a stairwell featuring delicately carved spindles and paneling, as well as two built -in wooden benches, with lids which lift for storage, mark the house as architecturally significant. HISTORIC LANDMARK OWNER CONSENT FORM I, the undersigned property owner, grant the Historic Preservation Commission of' South Bend and St. Joseph County the permission to have the property located at: 806 South Bi Declared a local historic landmark under I do also approve ofthe classification ofthis building under Gr oup B Standards. / -W Un7SQi L SIG f I ChrestcansorZ Signature of'Property Owner 06/30/2016 ���"/ I � 07:47 PM GMT Date Filed in Clerk's Office AUG 16 2016 KAREEMAH FOWLER CITY CLERK, SOUTH BEND, Its HISTORIC LANDMARK OWNER CONSENT FORM I, the undersigned property owner, grant the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend and St. Joseph County the permission to have the property located at: 806 Leland South Bend, Indiana Declared a local historic landmark under ordinance. I do also approve of the classification of this building under Group B Standards. GQ� Signature of Property Owner Date Filed in Clerk's Office AUG 16 2016 KAREEMAH FOWLER CITY CLERK, SOUTH REND, IN