Loading...
1-Harden-Hart House-Designation ReportREc1:3¡r2·;.._--~ V cu B)-' I AUG l 4 2018 City of O Pl e/ray 8 an"'· . · each ~·,m~,..,,. ..-~. <.: ;on· ... . . in :a.""~ª Designation Report Historic Preservation Board Delray Beach, Florida The Harden-Hart House 516 N Swinton Avenue Delray Beach, FL 33444 1 Table of Contents l. GENERAL INFORMATION li. LOCATION MAP lii. SITE INVENTORY IV. HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE V. ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE VI. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY AND SOURCES VIII. ATTACHMENTS IX. FLORIDA MASTER SITE FILE FORM Report prepared by: David T. Harden 516 N. Swinton Avenue Delray Beach, FL 33444 274-3986 E-mail dtharden3@netzero.net Date of Report: March 30, 2018 3 4 5 5 6 14 15 16 19 2 Name of Owners: David and Andrea Harden 516 N. Swinton Avenue Delray Beach, FL 33444 l. General and Applicant Information Background The Harden-Hart House is named for the current owners of the house, David and Andrea Harden, and the original owners, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Hart. The house was originally built at 326 Pioneer Place in West Palm Beach. lt was moved to its current location by Mr. and Mrs. Harden in 1994. Location Original construction of the house occurred on the West 10 feet of Lot 6 and all of Lots 7 and 8 in the Pioneer Park Addition to West Palm Beach, platted in 1922 (Plat Book 8, Page 67 as recorded in the Public Records of Palm Beach County). The street on which the house faced was platted as Park Avenue but the name was changed to Pioneer Place in mid-1925. After acquiring the house in late 1993, the Hardens had it moved to its current location at 516 North Swinton Avenue in Delray Beach, a site which was previously vacant. Legal Description The North 80 feet of the South 253 feet of the East 183 feet of the Southeast Quarter of Lot 11, Section 8, Township 45 South, Range 43 East, as recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 4, Public Records of Palm Beach County, less the East 33 feet thereof. Zoning R-lAA Single Family District, located within the Lake Ida Neighborhood Overlay District. Classification for Designation I believe that the Harden-Hart House meets the criteria for architectural significance for the reasons described in the following pages of this report. 3 li. Harden-Hart House Location Map February 25, 2018 1 :4,514 O 0.0375 0.075 0.15mi O 0.05 0.1 0.2 km lii. Site Inventory The site contains the Mediterranean Revival residence, the Harden-Hart House, built in 1925- 26. To the rear of the house is a detached vernacular style two car garage constructed in 1994. The garage is constructed of concrete block with a stucco finish and "S" style clay tile roof to match the house. IV. Historical and Cultural Significance As previously stated, the Harden-Hart house was originally built at 326 Pioneer Place in West Palm Beach for Mr. John M. Hart. ln a letter dated November 17, 1993, the West Palm Beach Historic Preservation Planner stated that the house was built in 1926. However, an item in the Palm Beach Post of January 12, 1926, refers to Mrs. Albert Johnson arriving here "yesterday to spend some time with old friends Mr. and Mrs. John M. Hart at 326 Pioneer Place," which would indicate that the house was constructed in 1925 or earlier. lt could not have been much earlier, however, since the Pioneer Park Addition, where the house was built, was just platted in 1922. John Miles Hart had a career as a professional civil engineer in Cleveland, Ohio, working for the New York Central Railroad. He and his wife, Eliza, decided to move to West Palm Beach in 1919 after having spent six seasons here previously. They were subsequently visited several times by D.C. Moon, General Manager and later Vice-president of the New York Central. After building their new home at 326 Pioneer Place, Mr. Hart continued to live there until his death at age 95 in April of 1951. ln 1993, 326 Pioneer Place along with other properties was acquired by the Norton Gallery of Art to be added to their site so that the Gallery could be expanded. ln August of the same year Delray Beach City Manager (1990-2013), Mr. David Harden and his wife Andrea purchased a vacant lot on the west side of North Swinton Avenue, the fifth lot north of Trinity Lutheran Church. They bought the lot from a retired pastor of that church, Rev. Robert Klemm, who had decided not to use the lot to build a home for himself. The Hardens' original intent had been to build a new home. When that did not work out, Mr. Chris Brown, the Delray Beach CRA Director at the time, suggested that the Hardens consider moving an historic home from West Palm Beach, like the CRA was planning to do. The Hardens looked into acquiring a house from the Hillcrest neighborhood from which the CRA was planning to move two houses. Then John Johnson with the Historic Palm Beach County Preservation Board informed them about the availability of two historic houses in much better condition on Pioneer Place. These houses had been recently acquired by the Norton Gallery of Art in order to expand their facilities. 5 Because the houses on Pioneer Place were historic, they were not to be demolished and the Norton Gallery was seeking someone willing to move them. The Hardens looked at both houses and ultimately decided to take the one at 326 Pioneer Place. ln December of 1993 they contracted with the Norton Gallery to acquire the house after having hired Modern Moving and Wrecking from Orlando to move it to Delray Beach. On Monday, January 24, 1994, Modern Moving detached the house from its foundation at 326 Pioneer Place, moved it down to the lntracoastal Waterway and loaded it onto a barge. A tugboat pushed it down the lntracoastal to Knowles Park, arriving there late in the evening. On January 25 it was rolled off the barge into the Knowles Park parking lot, where it awaited arrival of the two CRA houses which came later in the week. The following Monday, January 31, with the Harden- Hart House leading the way, the three historic homes moved from Knowles Park west on 10th Street to Swinton Avenue, then slowly North on Swinton in a "Parade of Homes". lt was quite the community event as hundreds of people gathered to watch. Late in the afternoon the Harden-Hart house arrived at its new location. There it awaited a new foundation, rewiring and other preparations for the Harden family to move in, which they were able to do in April, 1994. V. Architectural Significance The Harden-Hart house is a two story, stucco over frame, Mediterranean Revival style residence. lt has a modified rectangular plan, an intersecting gable roof and a front entry porch off a porte cochere. Minimal recessions, set back equidistance on both sides of the primary façade, accommodate the wider rear portion of the house. The walls are finished with rough 6 "' textured stucco and the roof is covered with terra-cotta tiles. The lot has been graded to rise gently from street level to the house, which sits on a stem wall with a crawl space underneath. As is typical of the Mediterranean Revival style of architecture, the second story is shorter than the ground level façade. The primary façade of the house is perfectly symmetrical, with two pair of arched windows on the first floor and two smaller, less ornate rectangular windows on the second. Each pair of first floor windows is set inside the upper portion of faux, rusticated stone keystone double arches rising up from the ground and surrounding the windows. On the south side of the house, the recession begins with a small projecting porch on the second story with arched, screened openings. The porch is supported from the ground by a Solomonic or Barley Sugar column. 7 ' On the north side, the entry porch is placed immediately in front of the recession, and the front line of the entry porch continues out from the house as the front line of the porte-cochere. Solomonic or Barley Sugar columns, identical to the one on the south side of the house, support the outside front corner of the entry porch and the outside corners of the porte-cochere. Each of the four columns has a modern composite capital with a bas-relief head centered at the top on each side of the capital. Each of the four heads is different from the others. 8 ' Faux rusticated keystone arches frame the two open sides of the entry porch. On the closed sides of the porch, the walls are stuccoed to simulate rectangular stone blocks. The porch has a coved ceiling with a light suspended from the center. On the wall of the house to the right of the entry porch, a wall sconce illuminates the porte-cochere. The supporting structure for the porte-cochere roof incorporates shallow arches on the three open sides. Almost all the windows are double hung, four over one sash windows. The four lites in the upper sash are vertical panes. Other windows are three sliphead, single sash windows and four 9 ' casement windows. Two small, four lite sliphead windows allow light into closets while a slightly larger six lite sliphead is in the stairwell. The casement windows are in the sitting room at the rear of the smallest second floor bedroom. Other notable exterior features included exposed rafters and sheathing on the roof overhang, and corbels or brackets on the corners of the gables, including the gable end of the porte-cochere, to support the gable roof overhang. »: On the southwest corner of the house is a screen porch with Solomonic columns, having neither capital nor base, separating the screen sections and supporting the second story. Brow roofs at the first floor level on the south side and at both the first and second floor levels on the west side provide additional shade from the sun for the sun room and screened porches. 10 ' Upon stepping from the entry porch through the front door, one enters directly into the living room. Across the room from the front door is a fireplace, and to the right through large double arches is the dining room. The double arches are supported in the middle by a Solomonic or Barley Sugar column with a classic base set on a short, square pedestal and a modern composite capital with a flower centered at the top on each side. Both the living room and dining room have a coved ceiling and are finished with rough textured plaster. 11 The fireplace mantel is made of cast stone. The facing is scored to simulate blocks of stone. Rectangular blocks are used on the facing outside the pilasters while blocks formed on an angle with a keystone are used for the facing header below the mantel shelf. The plinths have two levels with the shorter, second level being recessed slightly behind the first. The pilasters above each plinth are decorated with bas-relief depictions of, from bottom to top, a rectangular planter resting on three feet followed by a cherub above the plant coming out of the planter. Above the cherub is a round planter with a taller plant, followed by a vase- like container with fire coming out of the top. Each pilaster is topped by a corbel, the face of which is sculpted as a stylized lion's head, supporting the mantel shelf. The lower edge of the mantel shelf is decorated with dentil molding. Entering the dining room, on the right is first an arched opening leading to the stair well. Beyond that opening is an arched alcove with a built in buffet constructed in the Craftsman style with each level of drawers from top to bottom being deeper than the one above it. 12 ' On the opposite end of the dining room there is a large arched opening to a sun room. At the back of the sun room, French doors lead to the screened porch. The wall of the screen porch is decorated with an 18 inch diameter cast stone medallion decorated with a bas-relief of a sailfish jumping out of the ocean as the sun sets on the horizon and a power boat and a sail boat pass by. The words "Sailfish of Florida" are inlayed around the top perimeter of the medallion. The porch ceiling is finished in pecky cypress. At the rear of the dining room there is an arched opening into a small hallway with doors into a downstairs bedroom, a bathroom and the kitchen. At the rear of the kitchen is a breakfast room which features windows on three sides and a pickled finish tongue and groove pine ceiling. 13 Going up the stairs the plaster changes from a rough textured to a still textured, but much smoother finish which is used in all the bedrooms. At the top of the stairs, to the immediate left is a large linen closet with built in shelves and cabinetry. Further down the hall to the left is the large, front bedroom. lt has a walk in closet with a window and some shelving. The ceiling is finished with beaded, one by six pickled finish pine. Behind the front bedroom is the master suite. Entering the master suite from the hallway, the first room is a sitting room with a painted one by six beaded wood ceiling. Directly across from the entrance is an arched opening to a dressing area with a wide closet. Both this dressing area and the front bedroom have access to the screened porch on the front of the second story, referred to above. To the right are French doors opening into the bed chamber which has a coved ceiling. Doors in the side of the bed chamber lead to a three-quarter bath and a screened porch. The wall of this screened porch is decorated with a cast stone shield featuring a bas-relief of a 17th century sailing ship. To the right of the stairs is a hall bathroom and a relatively small, third bedroom. At the rear of this bedroom French doors open into another sitting room. Unlike the rest of the house, the walls of this room are finished in pickled tongue and groove pine with a painted tongue and groove wood ceiling. VI. Statement of Significance Regarding historical and cultural significance, since 1994 the Harden-Hart House has been the residence of David and Andrea Harden. Mr. Harden was Delray's longest serving City Manager, having managed the city for well over 22 years. He worked under seven different Mayors during which time the city's sense of pride was reborn, over $100 million in public infrastructure projects were constructed, there was a renaissance of the downtown area along with city wide economic revitalization, and the country passed through the deepest recession since the Great Depression. Downtown Delray Beach became a South Florida destination. ln addition to receiving awards for beach re-nourishment, its police volunteer program, Community Redevelopment and other innovative initiatives, Delray was twice recognized as an All America City, and was written up in Florida Trend magazine as the "Best Run Town in Florida." 14 ' The architectural significance of this house is based on the fact that it is an excellent example of Mediterranean Revival architecture in a house, constructed for an upper class family in the 1920's. lt is being nominated because of its architectural significance. Placing the house on the local register will help protect and maintain the historic architectural style of this house as well as the overall character of North Swinton Avenue. VII. Bibliography and Sources Palm Beach Post 1918-1942 "To Hold Rites For John M. Hart, 95," Plainesville, Ohio, Telegraph, June 29, 1951, p. 2. The Cleveland Necrology File, Cleveland, Ohio, Public Library Gateway Planning Group, "Mediterranean Revival Style Characteristics, History & Context" and "Mediterranean Revival Style Details," Verano Community Design Book, San Antonio, 2008, Subsections 8.4 & 8.5. "Mediterranean Revival architecture," Wikipedia, 2018. "Not Just Another Column," Classical Wisdom Weekly, Jan 28, 2013, Classicalwisdom.com. "Fireplace Mantel Components," prez16.com, February 11, 2017. "Fireplace Terminology," homebedazzle.com/images/fireplace _terms.jpg 15 ' VIII. Attachments Four views of the Harden-Hart House at 516 N. Swinton Avenue (2 pages) (All photographs by David T. Harden) Letter from West Palm Beach Historic Preservation Planner regarding the date of construction Clipping from Palm Beach Post of January 13, 1926 16 Figure 1 East Façade Figure 2 North Facade 17 Figure 3 West Façade Figure 4 South Facade 18 "The Orchid cu« November 17, 1993 Mr. David Harden 4195 NW 7th Court Delray Beach, Florida 33445 RE: Pioneer Place Houses Historic Information Dear Mr. Harden: Pursuant to your request for information concerning the two (2) historic homes at 320 and 326 Pioneer Place, the first home at 320 was built in 1922 by H. G. Mitchell for Dr. J. C. and Anna Crist. It is of the masonry vernacular with Spanish influences, but the restrained design keeps it from being considered Mediterranean or Mission Revival. The second home at 326 was built in 1926 for Mr. John Hart. Neither the builder nor the architect is known for this structure. This structure is of the Mediterranean Revival style. This is the extent of the information that is on file here at the City on these properties. Other information about the families may be available from the City of West Palm Beach Library's Florida Room or the Palm Beach Historical Society. If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me again. Dale Waters Historic Preservation Planner I News a Printed on Aug 12, 2018 l • Clipped By: J&l dtharden3 l6J Sun, Aug 12, 2018 Copyright© 2018 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/227 45355/the _palm_ beach _posti 1/1 age 1 1810riginal O Update IDSTORICAL STRUCTURE FORM FLORIDA MASTER SITE FILE Version 4.0 1/07 Site#8 -------- Fi e Id Date __ 0_2_12_s_12_01_8 __ Form Date 06/11/2018 ------- Recorder# ------ Shaded Fields represent the minimum acceptable level of documentation. Consult the Guide to Historical Structure Fonns for detailed instructions. Site Name(s) (address if none) _H_a_r_de_n_-H_a_rt_H_o_us_e Multiple Listing (OHR only) _ Survey Project Name Survey# (OHR only) _ National Register Category (please check one) 181building O structure O district O site Oobject Ownership: Oprivate-profit Oprivate-nonprofit 181private-individual Oprivate-nonspecific Deity [);ounty [}state Oederal ~ative American [)foreign Dunknown LOCATION & MAPPING Street Number Direction Street Name Address: 516 N Swinton Cross Streets (nearest I between) Between Lake Ida Rd & NE/NW 6th St USGS 7.5 Map Name_D_E_L_RA_Y_B_EA_C_H USGS Date~ Plat or Other Map ---------- City I Town (within 3 miles) Delray Beach ln City Limits? 00 yes D no D unknown County __ P_al_m_B_ea_c_h _ Township 46S Range 43E Section a 1f4 section: DNW DSW 181SE ONE Irregular-name: Tax Parcel # 124346oa210110000 Street Type Avenue Suffix Direction Landgrant _ Subdivision Name Twn 45 & 46S, Rng 43E Block UTM Coordinates: Zone 016 18117 Easting I s 9 2 3 4 ol Northing I 2 9 2 a o 7 ol Other Coordinates: X: Y: Coordinate System & Datum _ Name of Public Tract (e.g., park) _ Lot __ 1_1=(p_art~) _ HISTORY Construction Year: 1926 O approximately Original Use Private Residence (House/Cottage/Cabin) Current Use Private Residence (House/Cottage/Cabin) Other Use Moves: 181yes Ono Ounknown Date: __ 1_9_94 __ Alterations: Oyes Ono 181unknown Date: _ Additions: 181yes Ono O unknown Date: unknown Nature _A_d_ded_b_a_th_, _ex~p_a_nd_ed_M_B_R _ Architect (last name first): _u_nk_n_o_w_n Builder (last name first): _u_nk_no_w_n _ Ownership History (especially original owner, dates, profession, etc.)---------------------------- 181 year listed or earlier D year listed or later From (year): 1926 To (year): __ 19_9_3 __ From (year): 1994 To (year): __ 2_0_1a __ From (year): To (year): _ Original address 326 Pioneer Place, West Palm Beach, FL Nature 611ilt for John M Hart retired civil engineer for NYCRR who lived there 1926-1951 Is the Resource Affected by a Local Preservation Ordinance? 181yes O,o Dunknown Describe _L_oca_l _reg~ist_e_r _ DESCRIPTION Style Mediterranean Revival Exterior Plan _lrreg~u_la_r Number of Stories Exterior Fabric(s) 1._S_tu_cco 2. Artbrick, artstone Roof Type(s) 1. CroSSiJabled 2. Hip Roof Material(s) 1. Barrel tile 2. Composition roll Roof secondary strucs. (dormers etc.) 1. _o_t_he_r 2. _ Windows (types, materials, etc.)--------------------------------------- DHS wood, 4 vertical/1 (39)· casement wood 6 lite (4 pair)· sliphead wood 4 or 6 lite (3) 2 3. ------------- 3. Flat 3. ------------- Distinguishing Architectural Features (exterior or interior ornaments) _ The front bas 2 paie of arched windows set in fa11x n1sticated stone keystone double arches rising from the grrnmd Solomanie columns support porches Ancillary Features / Outbuildings (record outbuildings, major landscape features; use continuation sheet if needed.) _ NR List Date SHPO-Appears to meet criteria for NR listing: Dyes Ono Oinsufficient info Date _ KEEPER - Detennined eligible: Oyes Ono Date _ DOwner Objection NR Criteria for Evaluation: Da Db Dc Od (see National Register Bulletin 15, p. 2) lnit. _ HR6E046R0107 Florida Master Site File/ Division of Historical Resources/ R. A Gray Building/ 500 South Bronaugh Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399--0250 Phone (850) 245-6440 I Fax (850)245-6439 I E-illaÍI Sill!File@dos.state.ll.us P¡ge2 IDSTORICAL STRUCTURE FORM Site #8 DESCRIPTION (continued) Chimney: No._2_ Chimney Material(s): 1. _s_tu_cco _ Structural System(s): 1. _W_ood_tr_a_m_e 2. ----------- Foundation Type{s): 1. _c_o_nti_·n_uo_u_s 2. ------------ Foundation Material(s): 1. Poured Concrete Footing 2. Concrete Block Main Entrance (stylistic details) _ Ibe driveway from tbe street goes thrrn 1gb a porte cocbere adjoining the entry parch Porch walls are fat 1x stone blocks 2. _ 3. ----------- Porch Descriptions (types, locations. roof types, etc.) -------------------------------- The entcy porch has open keystone arches on two sides supported by a Solomonic Column as is the porte cochere Incised screen porches are located on SE comer of the 2nd story, and on both the 1st and 2nd story of the SW corner. Condition (overall resource condition): Oexcellent IB]good O fair Odeteriorated Oruinous Narrative Description of Resource An excellent example of 192Q's , tppec class home io Meditecraoeao Revival style Extedoc feati tees descòbed above Interior has arches between rooms with Solomonic coh1mn and an ornate fire place s1Jrro1,od Archaeological Remains _N_o_ne []check if Archaeological Form Completed RESEARCH METHODS (check all that apply) OFMSF record search (sites/surveys) OFL State Archives/photo collection [BJ property appraiser/ tax records Ocultural resource survey (CRAS) IB]other methods {describe)_O_n_-H_n_e_re_s_ea_r_ch_. _ Bibliographic References {give FMSF manuscript# if relevant, use continuation sheet if needed) -ocPc.ca ... 1m~B ... e .. a .. c .... h .... P...-o ... sMt.-, ... 19.,..1 .... 8 .... -4-...2-P ..... la ... i""'n.es~, ... ,¡ ... ue.,, ...... o ... H...,..., _ Ielegcapb, 6/29(1951 Verano Cororo11oity Desiga Book, S11bSec B 4&B 5 Wikipedia, 2018 [BJ library research Deity directory [BJ newspaper files O historic photos O building permits [BJ occupanUowner interview O neighbor interview [BJ interior inspection O Sanborn maps [BJ plat maps O Public Lands Survey (DEP) O HABS/HAER record search OPINION OF RESOURCE SIGNIFICANCE Appears to meet the criteria for National Register listing individually? Oyes Appears to meet the criteria for National Register listing as part of a district? Oyes Explanation of Evaluation {required, whether significant or not; use separate sheet if needed) --------------------- Neither the house nor the adjoining focal historic district are considered nationally significant IB]no IB]no O insufficient information O insufficient information Area(s) of Historical Significance (see National Register Bulletin 15, p. 8 for categories: e.g. "architecture·. "ethnic heritage", "community planning & developmenr. etc.) 1. Architecture 3. 5. --------------- 2. Local 4. 6. --------------- DOCUMENT A TION Accessible Documentation Not Filed with the Site File - including field notes. analysis notes. photos, plans and other important documents Document type Other collection I sample Maintaining organization Delray Beach Preservation Board 1 ) Document description Local Register Designation Report File or accession #'s ------------------ 2) Document type------------------ Maintaining organization ----------------- Document description File or accession #'s ------------------ RECORDER INFORMATION Recorder Name David T. Harden Affiliation Delray Beach Preservation Board Recorder Contact Information 516 N. Swinton Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444 / 561-274-3986 / dtharden3@netzero.net (address/ phone/ fax/ e-mail) Required Attachments 0 USGS 7.5' MAP WITH STRUCTURE LOCATION PINPOINTED IN RED 8 LARGE SCALE STREET, PLAT OR PARCEL MAP (availabtefmmmostpropertyappraiserwebsites) 0 PHOTO OF MAIN FACADE, ARCHIVAL B&W PRINT OR DIGITAL IMAGE FILE If submitting an image file, it must be included on disk or CD AND in hard copy format {plain paper is acceptable). Digital image must be at least 1600 x 1200 pixels, 24-bit color, jpeg or tiff.