Step One
Historical Significance and Context
According to the application for Historic Landmark Designation, the property was constructed c.1880. The property is being nominated to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places under local criteria six. Local criteria six is embodiment of elements of design, detailing, materials, or craftsmanship that render it architecturally significant.
The importance of this structure’s visual and physical characteristics influences the environs definition process in that it is a vernacular residential structure. The structure’s architectural significance is important in the environs definition process because it is good example of the gable-front-and-wing national Folk house type. The structure also maintains a high degree of integrity.
The period of significance for the related nomination categories is as follows:
Local Register Criteria Six
Because this criterion is based on architectural elements there is no specific period of significance.
Step Two
Historical Character of the Area Surrounding the Property
Historical character is the primary issued considered in this section. Historic photographs, Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, the nomination information, 1873 Douglas County Atlas, Living with History: A Historic Preservation Plan for Lawrence, Kansas, by Dale Nimz, and Historic Resources of Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF) were the primary sources used to identify the historic character of the area.
Natural Features The property is located in Brooks Addition platted in 1905. The environs consist of hilly ground. The Haskell French house is located at the top of a slight ridge.
Property Boundaries and Ownership Patterns The area surrounding 1300 Haskell Avenue is a mix of platted and unplatted property. The lots vary in size and shape. The property ownership has changed since the period of construction and includes more parcels with different owners.
Land Use Patterns and Zoning Land use on in the surrounding area during the period of significance was primarily agricultural with residential components.
Circulation Patterns The main streets in the area reflect the traditional grid pattern of the original town site and early subdivisions.
Planned Vegetation Patterns During the period of significance, the planned vegetation patterns were agricultural in nature. Plantings reflected the individual property ownership and the rural character of the area, not a planned design.
Signs and Pedestrian amenities There is no evidence of signs or pedestrian amenities in this area during the period of construction.
Primary Structures The primary structures in the environs of the property were primarily single-family residences. The structures were oriented toward the primary streets- Haskell and 15th Street. The structures are primarily 1 ½ and 2 stories in height and constructed of wood. Various styles – almost all vernacular interpretations --were represented in the area.
Secondary Structures. Secondary structures were associated with rural living and were typically garages, barns, chicken houses, sheds, and out houses. They would have been constructed of wood. They typically would have been 1 to 2 ½ stories in height.
Outdoor Activity Spaces There were no public parks in the immediate area. This was a rural area that provided outdoor activity spaces on private grounds.
Utilities and mechanical Equipment Sewers were installed in the area in 1958.
Views The views to the listed property were typical of rural lots in close proximity to the city.
Present Character of the Area Surrounding the Property
The primary source of information on this section is personal observation, city zoning maps, and recent aerial photographs.
Natural Features The area is rolling hills.
Property Boundaries and Ownership Patterns Property boundaries and ownership patterns have changed significantly. The large properties have been subdivided into smaller parcels of land with multiple owners.
Land Use Patterns and Zoning Land use on in the surrounding area has had the most dramatic change. The area is a mixture of residential and institutional uses. While the residential uses existed in the period of significance, they have intensified in density.
The area contains a mixture of RS7, RS5 and GPI zoning districts.
Circulation Patterns The main circulation patterns have not changed. Access to the properties is still primarily from the east/west, north/south streets. Parking lots have been introduced into the area associated with the large land uses of the school.
Planned Vegetation Patterns The planned vegetation patterns have changed significantly. The residential development individual plantings associated with the multiple lots.
Signs and Pedestrian amenities The signs within the area are almost entirely street names and traffic control signs. There are also ground mounted signs associated with different uses.
Primary Structures The majority of the structures were built after the period of construction.
Secondary Structures Some of the secondary structures associated with the residential uses remain. The number of secondary structures has been reduced to provide for development. New rear yard privacy fences have been constructed.
Outdoor Activity Spaces There is a public park near the property. This neighborhood park provides outdoor activity spaces for the surrounding residential neighborhoods that have modern size lots with little space for outdoor recreation.
Utilities and mechanical Equipment There are storm sewer inlets, traffic signs and street lighting along all of the streets in the area. Water meter and manhole covers are typical through the area. Fire hydrants are located along the streets. Electrical and telephone lines are both above ground and below ground in the area.
Views Views to and from the subject property have changed significantly. Current views include multiple structures on multiple lots and a complex to the east.
Time Time of the day has an impact on the perception of the subject property, especially during peak hour traffic on Haskell and 15th streets. Nighttime appearance with lighted porches and interior lights through windows is also quite different from the normal day time appearance. Seasonal changes in vegetation are an important aspect of the experiential quality of the area.
Weather The full range of weather conditions common to this area influence the perception of this place.
Sounds, Smells, Tastes In general this area has the usual sounds of cars and conversation associated with residential areas. There are no unusual or distinct sounds, smells, or tastes that characterize the area.
Imagination and Expectation The area surrounding the subject property is considered part of the Brook Creek Neighborhood and is a mixture of residential uses and those typically associated with residential uses.
Step Four
Comparison of the Historic and Present Character of the Area Surrounding the Property.
Natural Features The natural features remain the same.
Property Boundaries and Ownership Patterns The platting of the property has changed. The majority of the properties are now platted and lots tend to be smaller than the original parcels of land. The ownership patterns in the area have changed because the number of properties that have been created by subdividing property for multiple owners.
Land Use Patterns and Zoning The land use and zoning patterns have changed from the period of significance. Historically, the majority of the area was agricultural with single-family residential. Today the area is primarily residential, but the institutional uses at the corner of 15th and Haskell Avenue create a different dynamic.
Circulation Patterns The main street grid pattern is still intact in this area; however, it is now paved. New types of suburban residential streets have been introduced into the area. Sidewalks have also been introduced into the area.
Primary Structures The most significant changes include the development of compact residential lots; the development of the property to the south as a neighborhood school; and the development of the parcel to the east as apartments.
Secondary Structures The number and type of secondary structures has changed. The rural farm structures have been removed and detached garages are not prevalent in the area. The majority of the new construction has attached garages.
Outdoor Activity Spaces Historically outdoor activity space was associated with the individual farm or parcel of land. Currently, most lots to not have a large area for outdoor activity. For this reason, Edgewood Park was created to provide an outdoor activity area for all of the residential development in the area.
Utilities and Mechanical Equipment The character of the utilities and mechanical equipment in the area has changed since the period of significance.
Views The differences in the views of the area have been caused by the addition of residential and institutional structures.
Time The amount of nighttime lighting has increased over time. Traffic has increased and is particularly heavy during peak hours.
Weather While the weather patterns are generally similar to the historic period of significance, the advent of air conditioning has altered the way the residents may react to weather. Historically, people would have utilized open windows and porches to react to the heat.
Sounds, Smells, Tastes The introduction of more traffic and higher density living has introduced more sounds and smells.
Imagination and Expectation The image of the area is considerably different than the period of significance. During the period of significance the area was considered to be rural agricultural land on the edge of town. Today the area is considered part of the Brook Creek neighborhood and part of the City of Lawrence.
Conclusion
The Environs for 1300 Haskell Avenue, the Haskell French House, have changed since the period of construction. The environs should be reviewed in the following manner.
The area primarily consists of multi-family residential and single-family residential structures. The residential character of the environs surrounding the Haskell French House is important. The area should maintain the overall residential character of the historic environs and the following should apply:
The proposed alteration or construction should meet the intent of the Criteria set forth in 22-505. Important design elements include scale, massing, site placement, height, directional expression, percentage of building coverage to site, setback, roof shapes, rhythm of openings, and sense of entry. Demolition of properties shall be approved if a compatible structure is proposed on the site. Maintaining views to the listed property and maintaining the rhythm and pattern within the environs are the primary focus of review.
All projects except for demolition of main structures, new infill construction, significant additions, etc. will be reviewed administratively by the Historic Resources Administrator. The proposed alteration or construction should meet the intent of the Criteria set forth in 22-505. The main issue in the review is whether the project will encroach upon the listed property.
Major projects (demolition of main structures, new infill construction, significant additions- greater than 20% of the original structure, etc.) will be reviewed by the Historic Resources Commission. The proposed alteration or construction should meet the intent of the Criteria set forth in 22-505. The main issue in the review is whether the project will encroach upon the listed property.