Landmark Commission Minutes - 04/25/2023 LANDMARK COMMISSION
MINUTES
April 25, 2023
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Michele Derr • Chairwoman
John Dickinson •Member
Christy Graham ■ Member
Joel Hartmangruber ■ Member
Andy Lee •Member
Noros Martin •P&Z Liaison
Marcela Medellin ■Member
Janel Ponder Smith • Member
Monica Aguon, Assistant City Attorney ■City Staff
Terry Floyd, Development Services Director •City Staff
Chris Horgen, Public Information Officer ■City Staff
Karen Montgomery-Gagne, Principal Planner/HPO ■City Staff
Christal Cates, Senior Administrative Assistant ■City Staff
ABSENT:
Nadine McKown •vice Chairwoman
Tim Brewer •Council Liaison
GUESTS:
None
I. Call to Order, Introductions and Welcome
Chairwoman Michele Derr called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. Ms. Derr had
Commission members, staff and guests, introduce themselves.
II. Review & Approval of Minutes from: March 28t", 2023
Chairwoman Derr called for review and approval of the March 28th, 2023 Landmark
Commission meeting minutes. Mr. Noros Martin made a motion to approve the minutes,
Ms. Janet Ponder-Smith seconded the motion. Minutes were unanimously approved 8-0.
Regular Agenda
III. Action Item: Review & Approve — 719 Scott Avenue: Nomination: First Wichita
National Bank— National Register of Historic Places (Downtown Wichita Falls)
Ms. Karen Montgomery-Gagne presented the case and stated staff was notified March 10,
2023, by the Texas Historical Commission (THC) of a nomination to the National Register
of Historic Places for the First Wichita National Bank, located at 719 Scott Avenue in
downtown Wichita Falls. Ms. Gagne gave a brief overview of nomination eligibility and
criteria stating, there are four main criteria that apply beyond meeting the basic minimums
(being at least 50-years old; having historic character, etc). Additionally, a property must
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also have integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and
association for listing consideration.
The main criteria include:
A. Being associated with important events that have contributed significantly to the broad
pattern of our history.
B. Being associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.
C. Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction; or
represent the work of a master; or possess high artistic values; or represent a
significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual
distinction.
D. Have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
Ms. Gagne explained the original structure, known as the Clint Wood Building, was
designed by architect E. Stanley Field and associate J.F. Lauck and constructed in 1919
as a seven-story high-rise commercial building in a L-shape with reinforced concrete and
clad in brick and cast stone. The structure originally cost $750,000 and housed tenants
such as Prairie Oil and Gas Company and the Gulf Company. In the 1920's the building
was sold to Bob Waggoner, an area oilman and was referred to as the Waggoner Building.
Wichita National Bank purchased the building in 1946 and subsequent renovations
occurred in 1948 followed by a 1952 (architect Jesse G. Dixon) one-story motor bank
addition and in 1955 a second remodel modernized the ground floor exterior with new
windows, entrances, signage and installation of square red granite paneling while
expanding the interior banking space.
In 1960, the bank merged with First National Bank, becoming the largest bank in Wichita
Falls. It was at this time that a well-known Texas architect, George Dahl, was hired to
completely remodel the exterior and interior of the building. Ms. Gagne stated that it was
during this era when the building exterior was clad in the iconic shades of blue porcelain
enamel steel panels and five floors were added to the original building. The one-story
addition from 1952 was modified to accommodate the double height lobby. The air
conditioning venting was placed between the original masonry exterior and steel panels.
The red square granite was replaced with cream-colored granite at the first floor along the
southwest and southeast elevations. Large recessed storefront windows were also added.
By 1966, architects Wood & Sibeck, designed an expansion for the parking garage and
motor bank.
The building was again renovated in 1980 and the storefronts replaced. It's believed the
flat roof, metal-clad canopies with recessed lighting were likely added over the main
entrances during the 1980s remodel. During this same time, a non-historic three-story
addition constructed at 712 8th Street became part of the building complex. By 1993, the
non-historic lettered signage for American National Bank was installed but later removed
in 2018.
Ms. Gagne advised the Commission, Post Oak Preservation Solutions, indicated the First
Wichita National Bank(FWNB)building qualified for nomination under the following criteria:
Landmark Commission 3 April 25,2023
Criteria A —Area of Commerce—role in supporting industrial, agricultural and commercial
development post-war era. Ms. Gagne noted the building had an important role in
expansion of commerce with the First Wichita National Bank's extensive renovation and
being considered the largest bank in the community offering loans to businesses, rural
communities and individuals throughout Wichita Falls and northwest Texas area.
The second criteria: Criteria C—Area of Architecture;local-level significance.The building's
period of significance is considered 1960-1973 with architectural classification being mid-
century modern. Key architects included Jesse Dixon (Wichita Falls,Voelcker& Dixon)and
renowned Texas architect George Dahl both designed large-scale remodels; Dahl in
particular is credited with the use of blue pre-fabricated, porcelain enamel steel panels
which created a sleek corporate modern appearance exemplifying the trend of modernizing
early twentieth century commercial buildings to accommodate changes in business, design
and technology post WWII to suit needs of tenants and customers. The use of architectural
enamel tile quickly spread to Texas in the 1950s. Dahl's design introduced three-shades of
blue porcelain enamel steel panels which provided depth and interest while celebrating the
material's versatility and thus giving the structure the name Big Blue as it is currently known.
Ms. Gagne stated staff recommended the Commission consider endorsing the application
for 719 Scott Ave. for listing on the National Register of Historic Places based on the
following key elements:
1. Important role the building played in the expansion of commerce (banking) post WWII
in greater Wichita Falls and the north Texas region;
2. Unique architecture with the 1960's extensive exterior remodel to a mid-century
modern design; and
3. Building maintains integrity of location, design, materials, and workmanship and its
significant period of remodel is at least 50-years old.
Ms. Gagne advised if the Commission approved the nomination of 719 Scott Ave., staff
would submit a recommendation letter on their behalf as required to the Texas Historical
Commission prior to the State Board of Review deadline and noted a second letter from
the Mayor would need to be sent as well as part of the City's CLG responsibilities.
Chairwoman Derr asked if there were any comments from the public, and then the
Commission. Mr. Andy Lee briefly spoke on the architect, George Dahl, his projects and
his professional reputation. Mr. Martin asked if approved, would the structure be removed
from the tax roll, Ms. Graham advised it would not. Ms. Marcela Medellin asked if the entire
structure was to be nominated. Ms. Gagne advised the addition was not recognized as it
was constructed in the 1980's, however,the final determination would come from the State.
With no further comment, Mr. Martin made a motion to approve their recommendation for
719 Scott Ave to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places and notice sent to the
State Board of Review (THC). Mr. Lee seconded the motion. The motion passed with a
vote of 8-0.
IV. Discussion Item: National Preservation Month Activities:
• Historic Marker Refurbishment Training — April 28th, 2023,11 a.m. (Kell House Heritage
Center)
• Proclamation—City Council, May 2nd, 2023, 8:30 a.m.
Landmark Commission 4 April 25,2023
• Wichita Falls Historic Resource survey- Digitization/Web Access Project
V. Other Business:
a) Monthly Reports
Depot Square:
Ms. Derr gave the following updates:
• May 4th-Art Walk
• Farmers Market-open Saturdays
• Farmers Market-8th &Austin-Summer hours starting May, open Tues. &Thurs.
West Floral Heights:
Ms. Smith stated the West Floral Heights Historic District Volunteer Design Review
Committee had been revitalized and would be holding a training Thursday, April 27th
2023.
b) Updates:
• NAPC -CAMP Workshop - Ft. Worth -April 15-Overview
• Training -West Floral Heights Volunteer Design Review Committee-April 27
• North Central Texas Regional Preservation Summit - Preservation TX: May 11
(Mineral Wells)
c) Articles/Periodicals/Trainings:
• THC-The Medallion-Winter 2023; feature issue on TX Courthouse Program
d) Design Review-Staff Authorized - Minor Alteration/Repairs:
• 1501 Grant-WFHHD - emergency gas line repair
• 1315 Grant-WFHHD - replacement composition roof
• 1300 Tilden -WFHHD - replacement tile roof(Landmark authorized)
• 1509 Tilden -WFHHD- replacement composition roof
• 1404 Buchanan -WFHHD -in-ground pool
• 701 Ohio - Depot Square HD - replacement TPO roof; no parapet changes
VI. Adjourn
Next regularly scheduled meeting May 23, 2023- 12 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 12:34 p.m.
5-. 23- 26-22
Michele Derr, Chairperson Date