Most Endangered Places 2006

AUSTIN, TEXAS…Cemeteries that are invaluable historic resources, a landmark El Paso railroad and freight depot, an Amarillo hotel that was home to cattle and oil barons of the 1920s, and a Houston apartment complex that was an important FHA project in the South during the 1940s are among the 14 sites that Preservation Texas, Inc. has named to its third annual list of Texas’ Most Endangered Historic Places.

Preservation Texas officials announced the selections on the steps of the Texas State Capitol on February 8, Preservation Day 2006.

"Our 2006 endangered list recognizes two important statewide developments—the neglect, deterioration, and vandalism affecting our historic Texas cemeteries and a disturbing new pattern of demolition that is adversely transforming some of the state’s most historic and architecturally significant neighborhoods," said Elizabeth Grindstaff, president of Preservation Texas, Inc., a statewide partner of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. "By calling attention to the statewide impact of these developments, we want to encourage residents to act while there’s still time."

Grindstaff added that like these two categories of sites each individual listing is threatened by possible destruction, adverse development or neglect, and each has a compelling reason for being saved. "These sites represent the most eminent needs and highest probability for positive action," she said.

Preservation Texas named its first list of endangered historic sites in 2004. Several sites recognized by Preservation Texas have benefited from inclusion on the list of Texas’ Most Endangered Historic Places through energized conservation efforts, commitments for restoration, and additional funding.

The 2006 list of Texas’ Most Endangered Historic Places includes:

Cemeteries are among the most valuable of historic resources. They are reminders of various settlement patterns and reveal information about historic events, religion, lifestyles and genealogy. Unfortunately, historic cemeteries do not necessarily remain permanent reminders of our heritage. They are subject to deterioration from weathering and erosion, uncontrolled vegetation, development pressures, vandalism, theft and neglect. The loss of gravestones, fencing and other funeral objects has occurred to some extent in almost every cemetery in the state, and in some places even the loss of whole cemeteries has been tolerated, sanctioned or gone unnoticed. Such losses represent gaps in our collective heritage. The need for a comprehensive approach to cemetery preservation presents an enormous challenge to our state and is underscored by the fact that over 90% of property in Texas is in private ownership.

Neighborhood residents have worked for decades to protect and nurture the slow, incremental revitalization of many historic and architecturally significant neighborhoods throughout Texas. Now some of these places are facing a new threat—a disturbing new pattern of demolition as newcomers move in on their own terms. New owners and developers are demolishing existing homes in these neighborhoods to make way for the construction of dramatically larger new homes on the same sites.

Typically measuring 3,000 to 10,000-square feet, these new structures overwhelm neighboring homes and threaten the very qualities that make historic neighborhoods attractive in the first place. Character and charm are replaced by a hodgepodge of boxy new mansions and forlorn-looking older homes. Neighborhood livability is diminished as mature trees, landscaping and backyards are eliminated. Community and economic social diversity is reduced as affordable homes are destroyed.

Threatened neighborhoods include Monticello, Arlington Heights, and neighborhoods in the area of Texas Christian University and the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth; Vickery Place, Bluff View, Lakewood Highlands, and Old Preston Hollow in Dallas; Pemberton Heights, Old West Austin, and Tarrytown in Austin; and Beacon Hill, Terrell Hills, Olmos Park, Monte Vista, and Alamo Heights in San Antonio. Established residents need a voice as the tear down trend quickly transforms some of our cities most significant neighborhoods.

This National Register-eligible one-story house was built in 1852 with a detailed full porch added in 1905. The house is located on a 12-acre site along Cibolo Creek. John Harrison and his wife lived in the house for two years while John served as the first postmaster for Selma. The house is one of only two remaining original structures in Selma – the other is the Selma Stage Stop and post office. The house is owned by the City but is currently vacant and threatened by vandalism and further deterioration.

The village of Quihi lies 30 miles west of San Antonio. Ancient Indian tribes named the area for the Mexican eagle and camped around Quihi Lake because of the abundant game there. They left campsites with artifacts carbon-dated thousands of years old. In 1846 ten families came to Quihi Lake by oxcart from the Indianola seaport and established farms and homes. Later, these settlers built European-style limestone cottages. Many of the current 200 residents in this quiet, picturesque settlement are descendants of those original settlers. Quihi is threatened today by noise pollution and the deterioration to its sense of place because an aggregate company is planning a 50-year project to mine 200 million tons of crushed limestone on 1760 acres near Quihi. Hundreds of 78,000 pound trucks and a 7-mile railroad with 400 railcars would travel through the Quihi area daily, posing serious risk to the structure and stability of the buildings.

The Bridge at McAlister Crossing (Mueller Bridge) is one of two multi-span Warren polygonal chord bridges in the state. The 252-foot metal truss bridge with wooden floor was completed in 1915 and is located in Wilson County, two miles east of La Vernia. John McAlister bought several hundred acres of farmland in the area in the early 1850s adjacent to Cibolo Creek. The natural stream crossing, an old Indian trail, adjacent to his property became known as "McAlister Crossing". Blacksmith Henry Mueller purchased land on the east side in 1906 and his son later settled the southwest side of the crossing. Serving residents for over 70 years, the bridge was closed to traffic in 1988. The abutment on the northeast end of the bridge is cracked and serious erosion problems have developed causing the northeast corner of the embankment to slough off leaving the corner dangling in mid-air. Several holes have developed in the flooring of the bridge.

DALLAS/FORT WORTH METROPLEX

Eastern Star Home, 1924
Arlington, Tarrant County

This grand facility, built in 1924 at a cost of $212,000, was constructed to provide a home for aged and infirm members of the Eastern Star Organization in Texas. The charge to build included a provision to be near a public school "so children who might come to live in the home could be educated without undue expense." Additions to the building in 1931, 1954 and 1966, provided a new kitchen, an enlarged dining room, a new east wing and a hospital unit. A local developer envisions a 300-room hotel and apartments at the former retirement center, and Arlington City officials plan to turn a large portion of the 30 acres into a parking lot for the new Cowboys’ stadium. Adaptive use of the building or incorporating it into the design of the new development should be considered.

EAST TEXAS

Atlanta Miller Grade School, 1936
Atlanta, Cass County

The Atlanta Miller Grade School was a Works Progress Administration project taking 120 days to complete. Hardy Brothers of Texarkana began construction of the one-story, six-room building of locally made brick in 1936. As the community grew, rooms were added over the years. Between 1975 and 1980, the Miller Grade School became the Atlanta Multi-Purpose Center and was put to good use until 1990. From 1990 to 2000, the school was used as a storehouse, receiving no maintenance. Water damage and neglect to regular maintenance threatens this school building, like many in small rural Texas towns. Many Atlanta Miller Grade School former students and supporters have incorporated into a 501c3 and launched the first phase of alumni fundraising in cities around Texas. They also have made emergency repairs to prevent additional water infiltration and damage.

HOUSTON AREA

Grota Homestead Neighborhood, 1890s
Houston, Harris County

Grota Homestead, located near the late 19^th century community known as Germantown just northwest of downtown Houston, was the beginning of Grota Homestead Neighborhood. Platted first for residential development in the 1890s, subsequent plats added to the subdivision’s size through 1920. Primarily a working and middle class neighborhood, Grota Homestead is an integral component of the early 20^th century suburban development that included the adjacent Woodland Heights neighborhood. After World War II suburban development sent the area into a slow economic decline and construction of I-45/North Freeway in the 1960s resulted in the demolition of many homes, severing the area’s connections to historic neighborhoods to the east. The neighborhood is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places as a locally significant historic district but is threatened by development pressures. The Texas Department of Transportation’s proposed widening of I-45 on the east side of the neighborhood is the threat. The project would displace residents, hamper local revitalization efforts, compromise the tax base and result in the demolition of many significant historic buildings.

Wilshire Village Apartments, 1940
Houston, Harris County

The Wilshire Village Apartment complex is the only remaining development of three original Federal Housing Administration-insured sites, the largest undertaking of its kind approved by the FHA in the South.  Finished in 1940, the garden apartment complex had 144 apartments of varying sizes in 17 two-story, fireproof buildings on a nine-acre site in the Montrose area.  Architect Eugene Werlin created the "modern" look with brushed aluminum banisters, glass blocks and projecting window bays.  A team of professional gardeners maintained the extensive landscaping. After many years, maintenance became the responsibility of the individual tenants, not the owner. As a result, not all apartments are well maintained and the building exteriors appear derelict. The complex is located in the midst of several historic subdivisions. In 2005, the property sold to a developer who announced preliminary plans to erect two 16-18 story residential towers on a site. This plan threatens the character of the adjacent neighborhoods, and the mature oaks and magnolias that were planted on the site 65 years ago. 

Herring Hotel, 1920s Amarillo, Potter County The Herring Hotel was one of three oil-boom era hotels built in the 1920s, and is now the only one standing. It was the largest of these hotels, and was home to the famous Old Tascosa Room where cattle and oil barons gathered to discuss business and unwind. The room featured western frescoes painted by noted muralist and artist H.D. Bugbee. Now only one of the frescoes is intact after a water main flooded the basement several years ago. The hotel’s 14 stories and 600 hotel rooms made it the largest of the 1920s era buildings. Its builder, Cornelius Taylor Herring, was a pioneer cattleman, oilman and banker. He also owned 98,000 acres of the LS Ranch north of Amarillo. The Hotel was converted into federal office space in the early 1970s, but was abandoned a short time later. The site is vulnerable to vandals and damage from the elements.

Constructed in 1913, this charming depot was, and still is, the focal point of Roaring Springs. It is an example of many good historic buildings in Texas that are not forgotten; but suffer from a lack of funds for restoration. Even after the railroad abandoned the line, community groups used it as a meeting place and a depository for town and school memorabilia. However, the now vacant building needs repairs to keep out the weather that is causing damage to the interior. The Friends of Roaring Springs Depot are raising funds and want to see their depot used again; this time to house the City Hall. The Friends have chosen an architect and have obtained a grant for the project, but they have to raise $300,000 in matching funds to get the grant.

This 1903 Italianate terminal, designed by Daniel H. Burnham and built by the Phelps-Dodge Company, allowed merchants to load, unload or store freight shipped on the El Paso & Southwestern Railroad. Not only is this building listed as a local historic landmark for its historical significance, but its nationally known architect also designed Union Station in Washington, D.C. and the El Paso Union Depot. The windows are covered with plywood to discourage vandalism but the building is threatened by neglect and the misdirected preservation efforts of previous owners.

The adobe Winfield Hangar was constructed in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration and Pecos County. Winfield Airport was used as an auxiliary field to Gibbs Field during World War II, a primary training base located in Pecos County. State Senator H. L. Winfield, for which the hangar is named, was a champion for the creation of Big Bend National Park. This airport was elite in its time, being the first in the area. It transported people and cargo from Texas to all parts of the country and was on the old Chihuahua Road. The now vacant adobe Winfield Hangar is threatened due to neglect and damage from the elements.

WICHITA COUNTY

The Berry Brown House, 1892
Wichita Falls, Wichita County

In 1892, this two-story Victoria-style redwood house was built. It is believed to have been ordered from the Montgomery Ward catalog. The house got its name from one of its owners, a well-respected City Alderman in the late 1940s. The house, a Wichita Falls Landmark, sits on a lot lined with the original iron picket fencing. The building is endangered due to neglect, vandalism and potential arson.