Consider a request for the property located at 2601 W Broadway for Historic Designation, or take other necessary action. (Jody King)
BACKGROUND:
This application was submitted by Charles Crawford. An Application for Historic Designation requires that at least one of the five criteria be met as decided upon by the Historic Preservation Commission:
a. Exemplifies or reflects the board, cultural, political, economic or social history of the nation, state or community; b. Is identified with historic persons or with important events in national, state or local history; c. Embodies the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type inherently valuable for the study of a period, style or method of construction or of indigenous materials or craftsmanship; d. Is representative of the notable work of a master builder, designer or architect whose work influenced his age or development in the nation, state, region or local area; or e. Has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory.
Based on the information provided by the applicant, additional research done by staff, and meetings with experts, we have determined this structure meets at least one of the following criteria above.
For item a, the history provided does not lead us to believe that the structure contributed to the overall history or development of the City of Muskogee;
For item b, the owners/patrons mentioned may have had a significant impact on the City of Muskogee, State of Oklahoma, or Federal History. The land was granted to a Creek person (Liza Farmer) through the Dawes Act. It is unclear if they built the house. Evidence suggests that, at the very least, Farmer contracted the construction of the house, which may carry historical value as it applies to the history of the country;
For item c, the architecture reflects a non-standard version of building in the early 20th century. This particular style of architecture has been dubbed "Prairie Style." The most distinguishing features are the long, short style of the structures, but other characteristics include: strong geometry and massing including large central chimneys, brick or stucco exterior openings, asymmetric floor plans, connected indoor and outdoor spaces, interior wood banding, and restrained use of applied ornamentation exploration of motifs. Other aspects were shape or plant form explored through furniture, wood carving, plaster, art glass and other elements within a building. Based on research conducted by the staff using sources from the Chicago Architecture Center, this style of architecture was short-lived between 1900-1915 and was distinctive to the Midwest. This was the first true American Style of Architecture. This style would later influence "the American Century" style of architecture. This style was created by Frank Lloyd Wright who would later move to Europe in 1909, spreading his style of architecture all over the world, influencing many international architects for the century to come. The roots of this style of architecture still show up today from Modernist architecture to Mid-Century Ranches. Based on this information, we can say that this style of architecture would be inherently valuable for the study of the period and style of construction.
For item d, the architect is unknown and therefore cannot be proven to have given notable contributions to the trade or to the development of the City; and
For item e, from the report generated by the applicant, it does not notate any information pertinent to history or prehistory.
Furthermore, based on discussions with the State Historic Preservation Office, the house should be named for the original owner; however, we are unsure of who built or contracted to build the structure. Given the circumstances, the house should be the namesake of who acquired the land, Liza Farmer.
RECOMMENDED STAFF ACTION:
Staff recommends approval and that the house be called the Farmer House.