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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHDC1987-006 United States Department Of The INterior National Park Service 02/17/1987ARKANSAS HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM February 17, 1986 Mr. Mike Dooley Planning Office City of Little Rock Markham at Broadway Little Rock, AR 72201 RE: Turner -Ledbetter House National Register Nomination Dear Mike: I am enclosing a copy of the National Register Nomination form for the Turner - Ledbetter House. This property is scheduled on the agenda of the March 11, 1987, meeting of the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) State Review Board. In order to fulfill the terms of the Certified Local Government agreement between the City and the AHPP it is necessary for this office to receive a recommendation from the historic district commission prior to March 11. I would like to request that the review of this nomination be placed on the agenda of the March meeting of the MacArthur Park Historic District Commission. Thank you for your assistance in the review of this nomination. If you have any questions please let me know. Sincerely, . Bill Hall Compliance & Protection Manager BH/dr cc: Tonia Jones Suite 200 • Heritage Center • 225 East Markham • Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 • Phone (501) 371-2763 A Division of the Department of Arkansas Heritage W oMe NO. 102e-0010 NP! Form 10-900 Exp. 10-31-54 asa United States Department of the Interior National Park Service For NPS use only National Register of Historic Places received Inventory —Nomination Form date entered See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms Type all entries —complete applicable sections 1. Name historic and or common Ledbetter House 2. Location street & number 1700 South Louisiana Street — not for publication city, town Little Rock — vicinity of state Arkansas code county Pulaski code 3. Classification Category Ownership Status Present Use — district — public X occupied — agriculture — museum W_ building(s) -x__ private — unoccupied _ commercial — park structure — both — work in progress — educational X private residence — site Public Acquisition Accessible — entertainment _ religious — object — in process — yes: restricted — government — scientific — being considered —_ yes: unrestricted — industrial — transportation — no — military — other: 4. owner of Property name Dr. and Mrs. Danny R. Cook street & number 1700 S. Louisiana city, town Little Rock — vicinity of state Arkansas S. Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Pulaski County Courthouse street & number Markham & Spring Streets city, town " Little Rock state Arkansas C. Representation in Existing Surveys title has this property been determined eligible? -- yes — no date federal — state — county --local depository for survey records - city, town - — __--state — -- 7. Description Condition Check one Check one _X_ excellent — deteriorated — unaltered X original site good — ruins — altered — moved date fair unexposed Describe the present and original )it known) physical appearance SUMMARY Occupying two lots on an elevated corner adjacent to Little Rock's Governor's Mansion Historic District (National Register listed 9/13/78), the Turner -Ledbetter House is a 22-story, red brick residence that was built in 1891-92 by Miss Susan C. Turner. Constructed in the then popular Queen Anne style, the house features a hipped roof punctuated by multiple dormers and an abundance of decorative wood trim. During the early 20th century, subsequent owners updated the house with additions and alterations in the Craftsman and Colonial Revival styles. ELABORATION The most distinctive architectural features of the 'Turner -Ledbetter House are concentrated on the east and north elevations, the two street facades. On these elevations, as well as on the eastern section of the south elevation, the red brick which sheathes the wooden frame of the house is pressed brick, laid in stretcher bond, with tinted mortar and narrow joints. The brick facing the westernmost section of the south elevation and all of the west, or rear, elevation is a less expensive grade laid in ccffmn bond. The east, or primary, elevation is dominated by a turret which surmounts the recessed entryway. At the 2nd-story level three one -over -one, double -hung windows define the turret, while at the attic level there is a unique arrange- ment of four one -over -one, double -hung windows of alternating heights. The turret's conical roof flares over each window and is crowned with a metal finial. Immediately south of the turret and entry, a first floor bay contains a tripartite window with arched transom. This window and all others located on the street facades feature stone lintels and sills. A second story porch rests above the bay. The flared roof projecting over the porch is supported by wood columns that are comprised of both turned and square sections. A spindled balustrade encloses the porch which is reached through a pair of French doors opening from the master bedroom. Projecting from the main roof - line above the porch is a gabled dormer with three small one -over -one, double - hung windows. The gable is further ornamented with Eastlake -inspired wood trim. The existing Craftsman style entrance porch dates from an early 20th century remodeling by the Ledbetter family, the third owners of the Turner - Ledbetter House. Two square brick columns support the porch's shed roof which shelters the main entryway. The porch features characteristic Craftsman details such as knee braces, exposed rafter ends and a quarry tile floor which extends south to create an open terrace. Despite the obvious stylistic differences, the porch harmonizes with the house through the use of matching brick and stone detailing. The original recessed entryway was not altered when the porch was remodeled and it still features oak paneling and encaustic tile floor. The single oak entrance door, its original hardware intact, is NPS Form 10.900-8 OMB No. 1024-0018 (3.82) Exp. 10-31- 84 Unite! States Department of the interior National Park Service For MPS use ar1ty National Register of Historic Places nsceww Inventory —Nomination Form date entered Continuation sheet Description Item number 7 Page 2 composed of one large light and four panels set under a transom. Located at the east end of the second, or north, street facade is a 2-story projecting bay --the central feature of which is a paneled chimney which penetrates the roofline. A terra cotta panel ornaments the chimney at the second story level. Immediately west of the projecting bay, a 1-story frame porch defines the side entrance. It is similar in design to the second story porch found on the east facade. Centered above the porch on the second story level is a round arched staircase window and, at the attic level, a shed -roofed dormer with a pair of small double -hung windows. West of the side porch is another projecting bay with tripartite windows at both the first and second story levels. The face of the bay recedes slightly on either side of the arched second story window which is protected by a small shed roof. The hipped gable roof atop this bay is broken by a gabled dormer which projects from the ridge line of the main gable. A pair of triangular arched, double -hung windows is located in the face of the dormer. The final, or westernmost, division of the north elevation contains two double -hung windows, one on each floor, but otherwise lacks distinctive architectural elements --a possible reflection of its utilitarian interior function. The two remaining elevations of the Turner -Ledbetter House, probably because they are not readily visible from the street, also generally lack distinctive architectural features. In addition to the less costly brick construction already mentioned, these two elevations contain windows with brick rather than stone heads. During the early 20th century --prior to 1913--a second story sleeping porch was added to the south elevation. Supported on square brick piers, this simple frame addition features a shed roof and screened openings alternating with wooden casement windows. Circa 1920 a first floor solarium was constructed beneath the sleeping porch and adjacent to the back parlor. Wooden casement windows with fixed glass transoms encircle the solarium. The rear section of the Turner -Ledbetter House, containing kitchen and utility areas, was remodeled with Colonial touches in 1917 according to plans prepared by Charles Thompson and Thomas Harding, Jr.. During this remodeling a large multi -paned arched "colonial" window was installed in the center of the first floor rear facade, providing this elevation its sole distinctive feature. At the same time several existing windows were replaced with six -over -six, double -hung windows. At the southwest corner of the Turner -Ledbetter property is a 2-story brick garage and servants quarters which was constructed by the Ledbetter family prior to 1913. This structure replaced an earlier frame carriage house. NPS Form 10.900•s OMB No. 1024-0018 0-82) Expires 10-31-87 United States. Department of the Interior National Park Service L _ National Register of Historic Places y Inventory —Nomination Form Continuation sheet Description Item number 7 Page 3 - The interior of the Turner -Ledbetter House is noteworthy for the exceptional wood detailing found in the home's formal areas. The spacious entry hall features paneled oak wainscotting which ornamented by a band of peacock blue g l azedti le . The same the is used around the face of the entry hall's fireplace, which is distinqui.shed by an elaborate Eastlake - style mantel and overmantel. Arched oak fretwork springs from fluted columns with Corinthian capitals and frames the staircase. The oak woodwork is carried through to the dirung room which is located immediately behind the entry hall. The front and hack parlors are reached through pairs of pocket doors. nv-- well crafted window and door casings found in the entry hall and dining room are continued in the parlors although executed in different woods — maple in the front and cherry in the rear. 9 8. Significance Period Areas of Significance -Check and justify below prehistoric archeology -prehistoric community planning _ 1400-1499 archeology -historic conservation 1500-1599 _ agriculture economics 1600-1699 X architecture education 1700-1799 art engineering 1800-1899 _ commerce exploration settlement 190o- communications industry invention Specific dates Builder Architect Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) SUMMARY landscape architecture religion law science literature sculpture military social music humanitarian philosophy _ _ . theater politics government — transportation other (specify) Although development of the southernmost section of the Original City of Little Rock did not begin in earnest until after the Civil War, the "south end" soon became one of the city's most popular residential neighborhoods, a status it maintained well into the 20th century. In 1891-92, during the early years of the neighborhood's popularity, Miss Susan C. Turner built, apparently as a speculative venture, one of the first houses on block 189, which abuts the southern boundary of the Original City. Miss Turner's construction of the house is significant not only because it represents her involvement in opening a new Little Rock neighborhood but also simply because she was a woman --and women did not commonly engage in speculative real estate development in Little Rock during the 19th century. Architecturally, the house built by Miss Turner -- now commonly known as the Ledbetter House --compares favorably with the best of Little Rock's Queen Anne -style houses. Adding to its significance is the fact that it has served as the home of three families prominent in Little Rock business and social circles. ELABORATION Susan Turner was one of the daughters of Blakely D. Turner, an attorney who moved his family to Little Rock from Searcy, Arkansas, in 1878, when he became Reporter of the Arkansas Supreme Court. B. C. Turner is known to have "dabbled" in real estate, and one son, William J. Turner, made real estate his profession. It is assumed that Susan Turner, who never married, followed the leads of her father and brother by investing in real estate and occasionally engaging in speculative construction (in addition to the Ledbetter House, it is known that Miss Turner built a neighboring house --the Turner -Folk House --in 1906). Although the architect of the Ledbetter House has not been documented, circumstantial evidence suggests the designer may have been Thomas Harding, Sr., who practiced in Little Rock from 1869 until his death in 1895. Harding is known to have designed buildings for other members of the Turner family, thus making it likely that Susan Turner was acquainted with him. Further, the Ledbetter House shares certain features in common with houses documented as having been designed by Harding. Regardless of who was responsible for the design of the Ledbetter House, it ranks high on the list of the best'Queen Anne -style houses still standing in Little Rock. Of particular note are its well -detailed porches and unusual turret. While the fact that the house was built speculatively sometimes shows in the choice of materials, it is evident that Susan Turner intended to NPS Form 10.900•2 OMB No. 1070-0018 Expires 10-31-87 • United States Department of the anterior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places inventory —Nomination Fora' Continuation sheet Significance Item number 8 Page 2 sell the house to someone of substantial means. Several years passed before she was able to do so (possibly because of the Panic of 1893 and subsequent depression), but Miss Turner finally found her well-to-do purchasers in Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Burrow, who bought the house in 1899 for $8000. C. C. Burrow was a cotton buyer who, in the words of a 1930 biographical sketch, "came to be regarded as one of the ablest men of his State in the cotton industry and was for a time president of the Little Rock Cotton Exchange." The Burrow family was just the first of three prominent families to own and occupy the house. From 1903 until 1920, it was the home of the Yowell-Ledbetter family, whose members made their marks in both the insurance and real estate businesses in Little Rock. From 1920 until 1942, the house was the John E. Coates family residence; Mr. Coates was a well-known insurance agent and active in numerous social organizations. g. Major Bibliographical References (see continuation sheet) 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property less than one Quadrangle scale Quadrangle name UT M References jj I II `` I A Il..J 11 L l l I l B W I l i l _ L 1-� Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing W LJ I I oWI]IIIL E W I....I�L�..i.J I I F L_ J G1J l l l t Li H W I l l l t t l Verbal boundary description and justification Block 189, Lots 13-14, Original City of Little Rock List all states and counties for properties overlapping stator or county boundaries state code county code state code county code 11. Form Prepared 6y name/title History, Inc.: Cheryl Nichols, Julie Wiedower — organization date February 5, 1987 street & number 1721 S. Gaines Street telephone city or town Little Rock state Arkansas 72206 12, State Historic Preservation officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: national __ state — local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89- 665), 1 hereby nominate this property for inclusion in the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria anti procedures set forth by the National Park Service. State Historic Preservation Officer signature title date For NPS use only I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register date Keeper of the National Register Attest: Chief of Registration GPO 696-746 date NPS Form 10-MO an► OMB .No. 1074-0018 Erplrns 10-31-87 United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Inventory —Nomination .Form Continuation sheet Bibliography,_ Item number 9 Page Arkansas Gazette, articles on the following dates: October 7, 1887 (p.4,c.4); October 9, 1887 (p.6,c.1); December 29, 1892 (p.l,c.4-5); April 26, 1893 (p.3,c.1); March 27, 1911 (p.5,c.4); March 28, 1911 (p.1l,c.7). Hempstead, Fay. Historical Review of Arkansas. Vol. III. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1911. Herndon, Dallas. Centennial History of Arkansas. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1922. Little Rock City Directories, 1883-84, 1886, 1887, 1895-96, 1899, 1900-01, 1903-04, 1906, 1907, 1910. Pulaski County Real Estate Tax Assessment Books, 1889-94, located at Arkansas History Commission. Pulaski County Probate Files, B. D. Turner - #1655; Sue C. Turner - #4611; W. J. Turner - # 2089; J. G. W. Yowell-#4728; Calvin R. Ledbetter - #7218, located at Arkansas History Commission. Sanborn Maps, Little Rock - 1897, 1913, 1939. Sanborn, New York: Sanborn Insurance Company. Thomas, David, Y. Arkansas and Its people: A History, 1541-1930. Vol.III. New York: The American Historical Society, 1930.