HomeMy WebLinkAbout020-02RESOLUTION NO. 20-2002
PLACES THE HISTORIC DODGE HOUSE
LOCATED AT 425 HARTZ AVENUE ON THE TOWN'S
SURVEY OF HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES
(APN: 208-023-027)
WHEREAS, Jessie E. Bentham is the owner of the subject property located at 425 Hartz
Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the Danville Heritage Resource Commission recommended placement of 425 Hartz
Avenue on the Town' s Survey of Historically Significant Resources at a publicly noticed meeting
on December 10, 2001; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 32-72 of the Danville Municipal Code (Historic Preservation) establishes
standards for review of heritage resources; and
WHEREAS, the history of the building is as follows:
The exact date of construction is uncertain, but records approximate it to be in the late
1800s after construction of the railroad in 1891.
Until the late 1800s in the Danville area when the railroad came, there were only a few
large farm houses, spaced far apart from each other, which were owned by persons of
substantial means who could afford to bring in materials from a distance.
After construction of the railroad, small modest homes such as this one were built by and
for working class people and their families when lumber and other building supplies could
be delivered by rail.
The first owner of this site is unknown, however the site is located in the first subdivision
in Danville on one of the typical 50 x 100 sq. ft. lots created by John Hartz in 1891.
This house is nearly identical to the structure located next door at 439 Hartz Avenue and it
is assumed that they were built at approximately the same time.
The one story clapboard shotgun style home is built in the Folk Victorian style of
architecture articulated by a symmetrical fagade, a decorative Victorian sunburst in the
roof gable and ornamental porch brackets.
A small addition has been constructed to the rear of the structure (date of construction is
unknown).
The historic name for the site is the Dodge House in memory of Mrs. Dodge who was the
Town Post Mistress in the late 20's and early 30's.
Mr. Dodge was blind, but it is reported that he milked their cows in the back yard and
regularly picked up the mail from the depot and delivered it to his wife at the post office
which was then located next to Acree's Grocery store, one half block north of this site on
Hartz Avenue; and
WHEREAS, Jessie E. Bentham, as the property owner, has been notified of this meeting; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Council places 425 Hartz Avenue on the Town's Survey of
Historically Significant Resources based on the following findings and Historic Preservation
Ordinance, Sections 32-72.3 and 32-72.4 Criteria:
1. The existing structure was built on the site in the late 1800s and is over fifty years old.
The structure has retained its historic integrity and had miner alterations over time, but
much of the original historic architectural detailing and materials have been retained and
the changes are reversible.
Criteria a: The building's modest Folk Victorian architectural style is representative of the
time period in which it was built and is one of only a few shotgun-style houses still
remaining in Danville.
Criteria b and c: Retail businesses located in these type of residential-styled buildings are
uncommon today, but they represent the evolution of the community over time. The
structure's proximity to the original downtown commercial core in Danville illustrates
how the downtown business district has grown since the late 1800s and how this
residential area has since been converted to commercial use.
Criteria e: Mrs. Dodge lived in the house when she was the Post Mistress for Danville in
the late 1920s and early 1930s.
Criteria g: The structure is one of two similar Folk Victorian structures still remaining
along Hartz Avenue that contain attractive ornamental detailing such as the Victorian
sunburst in the roof gable and ornamental porch brackets.
Criteria h: The attractive cottage, located along the main street in the heart of old town,
contributes to Danville's quaint small town atmosphere and has become an established
visual feature of the community.
PAGE 2 OF RESOLUTION NO 20-2002
Criteria i: The site is apart of Danville's first subdivision which included 50 x 100 sq. ft.
typical lots created by John Hartz in 1891. This subdivision of land changed the Town's
development pattern from large lot agricultural uses to smaller lots where modest homes
were built for working class families.
APPROVED by the Danville Town Council at a regular meeting on February 19, 2002 by the
following vote:
AYES:
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Waldo, Arnerich, Doyle, Greenberg, Shimansky
MAYOR
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY ATTORNEY
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
PAGE 3 OF RESOLUTION NO 20-2002