HomeMy WebLinkAbout018-03 RESOLUTION NO. 18-2003
PLACING THE HISTORIC ELLIOTT'S BAR
LOCATED AT 369 HARTZ AVENUE ON THE TOWN'S
SURVEY OF HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES
(APN: 199-350-015)
WHEREAS, Susan Langner Trustee is the owner of record of the subject property located
at 369 Hartz Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the Danville Heritage Resource Commission recommended placement of 369
Hartz Avenue on the Town's Survey of Historically Significant Resources at a publicly noticed
meeting on June 10, 2003; 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:
1. This site was originally a part of Rancho San Ramon and is currently identified as
Assessor Parcel Number 199-350-015. The existing building was built on the site in
1912.
2. The historic name for the existing structure on the site is "Elliott's.'
3. Hiram Elliott and wife, Matilda "Tillie' Hartz (John Hartz's daughter) started
running a bar on Front Street in 1907 with his brother~inqaw, Charles Gust. This bar
was once called "Eagle's Bar".
4. Businesses along Hartz Avenue were thriving by 1912 and the bar, along with the
original "Since 1907" sign moved to the building now located at 369 Hartz Avenue.
5. The existing 1,875 square foot one-story wood framed structure has a steeply
pitched galvanized steel roof commonly called a "tin roof" which is hidden from the
front by a false front fagade. It is speculated that the original building fagade was
made of either plaster or clapboard wood. The original fagade was covered over in
the 1940s with vertical wood siding on top and flagstone veneer on the bottom. The
front window and the entry was most likely changed as well.
6. In the 1920s during prohibition, the building was utilized as an ice cream shop.
Prohibition ended in 1933 and eventually the bar was renamed "Elliott's."
Duane Elliott was born in 1909 and was the eldest of Hiram and Matilda's three
sons. He grew up and lived in Danville his whole life, except for when he was in the
military. He graduated from San Ramon High in 1927 and began to work more in
Elliott's Ice Cream Shop. In 1930, Duane surveyed land throughout California for
the Bureau of Roads.
Duane was married in 1940 and shortly after went off to serve in WWII. During the
war, Tillie ran the bar while her son, Duane, served under General George Patton's
Third Army.
After the war, Duane and his youngest brother, Gordon, operated the bar. Duane
lived at 148 E. Prospect Avenue (now demolished) and rented out 154 E. Prospect
Avenue.
WHEREAS, Susan Langner,Trustee is listed as the property owner of the site and has been
notified of this meeting; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Council places 369 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 on the site is 90 years old and was built in 1912.
The basic structure has been maintained and retains its historic integrity. Although
the building has been modified over time, the changes are reversible. Many of the
alterations are over 50 years old and could be considered historic in their own right.
Criteria a: The architectural style of the building is a traditional commercial
storefront which is reflective of the time period in which it was built. The existing
1,875 square foot one-story wood framed structure has a steeply pitched galvanized
steel roof commonly called a "tin roof" which is hidden from the front by a false
front fagade. The 1940s facade alterations of vertical wood siding and flagstone
veneer and are also typical examples of building upgrades of that period of time.
Criteria b: The bar was established prior to Prohibition, but during Prohibition ice
cream and candy were sold which is reflective of a particular use during a unique
time period that was once common but now rare.
Criteria c and e: The site is reflective of the evolution of the community and how
the original Town business center along Front Street eventually moved to Hartz
Avenue. Successful businesses like the bar started by Hiram Elliott and wife,
PAGE 2 OF RESOLUTION NO. 18-2003
Matilda "Tillie" Hartz (John Hartz's daughter) and Charles Gust (brother-in-law) on
Front Street in 1907 was moved to 369 Hartz Avenue by 1912, when Hartz Avenue
businesses began to thrive. Ever since 1912, the site has operated as one of the
primary social centers and gathering places of the community.
Criteria h and i: The site is located in a row of similarly constructed commercial
buildings along the main thoroughfare of old town Danville and has become an
established visual feature of the community.
APPROVED by the Danville Town Council at a regular meeting on March 4, 2003, by the
following vote:
AYES:
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Shimansky, Arnerich, Doyle, Greenberg, Stepper
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY ATTORNEY
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
PAGE 3 OF RESOLUTION NO. 18-2003