Step One
Historical Significance and Context
According to the landmark nomination, the structure at 1927 Learnard Avenue was constructed c. 1926-1929. The architect/builder of the structure is not known. The abstract for the property shows that Julius H. Holke sold the property to Merritt E. Zinn in 1926. Zinn was a Lawrence streetcar motorman listed in the 1930 City Directory as 41 years of age with a wife, Evelyn, age 22 and two children, ages six and four.
1927 Learnard Avenue is a good example of the housing that was constructed in Lawrence during the “Quiet University Town (1900-1945)” as defined by the Historic Resources of Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF). This MPDF notes that there was a significant trend to build new residential districts south of 15th Street in the early twentieth century.
The area surrounding 1927 Learnard Avenue is a quiet residential area that is an excellent example of the evolution of residential areas close to the city center in Lawrence. The age of the extant structures in the area ranges from the late 1800’s to the 1970’s. Spalding’s subdivision was platted in 1926 and shows the development pattern of dividing the larger “family” lots into smaller parcels for new residential development. The area was not annexed into the City of Lawrence until 1956. The area maintains the residential character that existed when 1927 Learnard was constructed as well as when William S. Burroughs lived at 1927 Learnard Avenue.
The property is being nominated to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places under local criteria three and four. Local criteria three is a buildings identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the community, county, state, or nation. 1927 Learnard Avenue is significant for its association with the author William S. Burroughs. Local criteria four is the embodiment of distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style valuable for the study of a period, type, method of construction, or use of indigenous materials. 1927 Learnard Avenue is a good example of the bungalow house type with craftsman detailing. This house type is often associated with the early twentieth century middle class is important to the study of the evolution of architectural styles in Lawrence.
The importance of this dwelling’s visual and physical characteristics influences the environs definition process in that it is a simple bungalow structure that was common for the area at the time it was constructed. The association with William S. Burroughs has minimal influence on the environs definition process.
The period of significance for the related nomination categories is as follows:
Local Register Criterion Three
William S. Burroughs 1982 – 1987
Local Register Criterion Four
Construction date c. 1926 – 1929
Step Two
Historical Character of the Area Surrounding the Property
Historical character is the primary issue considered in this section. Historic photographs, Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, City annexation files and ordinances, the nomination information, Douglas County Atlas, Living with History: A Historic Preservation Plan for Lawrence, Kansas, by Dale Nimz, and Historic Resources of Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF) were the primary sources used to identify the historic character of the area.
Natural Features Historic maps of the area do not include a great deal of information about the natural features of this area. Some maps identify a very small creek running through the area and some natural rises in the terrain. The small creek is identified on later maps as a ditch.
Property Boundaries and Ownership Patterns 1927 Learnard Avenue was platted in 1926 as part of Spalding’s Subdivision. This subdivision also included the property directly to the north and all along the south side of 19th Street between Barker and Learnard. The property to the south of 1927 Learnard was not platted. The property directly east of 1927 Learnard Avenue was platted in 1938. The property ownership has changed during the period of significance. However, the traditional pattern of multiple property owners within the environs has remained constant over the period of significance.
Land Use Patterns and Zoning Land use on in the surrounding area during the period of significance was primarily single family residential.
Circulation Patterns The streets in the area reflect the street patterns that were typical during the first period of significance. The traditional grid pattern of the original town site was continued although the area was outside the city limits. Because of the rural character of the area, alleys were not present and were not included in the original platting of this area. It appears that the streets may not have been paved when 1927 Learnard Avenue was constructed. Because the area was not incorporated into the City until 1956, sidewalk and street improvements are difficult to asses during the first period of significance. Garages were typically located to the rear of the lot lines and accessed from the street by a simple driveway.
Planned Vegetation Patterns The planned vegetation patterns were lawns around houses, and agricultural land for crops and livestock. While street trees were common before the 1920s, this area was not incorporated into the city limits. Plantings reflected the individual property ownership and the rural character of the area, not a planned design. Residential areas had flower beds, kitchen gardens, trees, shrubs, etc.
Signs and Pedestrian Amenities Typically the historic signs were street name signs. There is no evidence of pedestrian amenities in this area during the period of significance.
Primary Structures The primary structures in the environs of the listed property were primarily single-family residences. The structures were oriented toward the street. The structures are primarily 1 to 2 stories in height and constructed of wood or masonry materials. Various styles were represented in the area.
Secondary Structures Secondary structures were nearly always garages, smoke houses, sheds, and garden structures. Primarily they were constructed of wood with some use of brick or stone. They typically would have been 1 to 1 ½ stories in height. There were also wood and metal fences that generally marked property line boundaries.
Outdoor Activity Spaces There were no public parks in the immediate area. A number of residences had enough land to provide outdoor activity spaces on private grounds.
Utilities and mechanical Equipment Electrical and telephone lines were common by 1937. Water and sewer and natural gas lines were buried under ground.
Views The views to the listed property are minimal. The property is located in a flat area that was prone to flooding.
Present Character of the Area Surrounding the Property
The primary source of information on this section is personal observation, city zoning maps, and recent aerial photographs.
Natural Features 1927 Learnard Avenue is located next to a small creek that was recently renamed Burroughs Creek.
Property Boundaries and Ownership Patterns 1927 Learnard Avenue was platted in 1926 as part of Spalding’s Subdivision. This subdivision also included the property directly to the north and all along the south side of 19th Street between Barker and Learnard. It appears that the property boundaries of this subdivision have been altered since the period of significance. Tract 1 has been divided so that it is not continuous from Barker to Learnard Avenue. Lot 5 has extended to the south to interrupt tract 1 as has an additional parcel associated with Lot 8. The property to the south of 1927 Learnard is still not platted. The property directly east of 1927 Learnard Avenue was platted in 1938 as Evergreen Addition and a portion was re-platted in 1987 as Evergreen Addition No. 3. The property ownership has changed during the period of significance. However, the traditional pattern of multiple property owners within the environs has remained constant over the period of significance.
Land Use Patterns and Zoning Land use in the surrounding area is primarily single-family residential. Approximately 400 feet to the east of the property are industrial zoned areas.
Circulation Patterns The circulation patterns have not changed very much. Learnard Street extends to 23rd Street. Access to the properties is still primarily from the street. Streets are surfaced with asphalt. Sidewalks in the area are concrete and are not continuous. A new sidewalk system and traffic circle have been installed at the intersection of 19th and Barker Streets.
Planned Vegetation Patterns The planned vegetation patterns are lawns, trees, shrubs, and flowerbeds are common. Foundation plantings are typical. The agricultural patterns no longer exist as most of the area has been divided into smaller single family residential lots.
Signs and Pedestrian Amenities The signs within the area are almost entirely street names and traffic control signs.
Primary Structures The primary structures surrounding the property are generally the same as were present during the period of significance. A number of the residences along 19th Street have not changed since the late 1920’s. Several modern residential buildings have been introduced into this area, including some duplexes directly to the east of the property.
Secondary Structures Some of the secondary structures associated with the residential uses remain. The number of secondary structures has been reduced to provide for modern use of space and the loss of the need for husbandry type structures. Most of the front yard fences have been removed. New rear yard privacy fences have been constructed.
Outdoor Activity Spaces There are no public parks in the immediate area. The amount of private green outdoor activity space has been reduced.
Utilities and mechanical Equipment There are storm sewer inlets, traffic signs and street lighting along all of the streets in the area. Water meter and manhole covers are typical through the area. Fire hydrants are located along the streets. Electrical and telephone lines are both above ground and below ground in the area. A new storm drainage system has recently been introduced into the area.
Views Views to and from the listed property have not significantly changed since the period of significance.
Time Time of the day has an impact on the perception of the listed property, especially during the rush hour traffic on Learnard and Barker Streets. Nighttime appearance with lighted porches and interior lights through windows is also quite different from the normal day time appearance. Seasons changes in vegetation are an important aspect of the experiential quality of the area. Ornaments on houses and in yards, such as Christmas lights, change the experience of place.
Weather The full range of weather conditions common to this area influence the perception of this place.
Sounds, Smells, Tastes In general the residential area has the usual sounds of cars and conversation associated with residential areas. There are no unusual or distinct sounds, smells, or tastes that characterize the residential area.
Step Four
Comparison of the Historic and Present Character of the Area Surrounding the Property.
Natural Features The natural features remain the same.
Property Boundaries and Ownership Patterns The platting of the property has not significantly changed. The ownership patterns in the area have not changed. There may be a higher percentage of structures that are not owner-occupied than there were historically.
Land Use Patterns and Zoning The land use patterns have not changed much from the period of significance. Zoning has been added that reinforces the single family nature of the area. The agricultural land has changed to residential and further to the east, industrial.
Circulation Patterns Street and sidewalk patterns have changed very little, but the paving materials have changed substantially. The introduction of the traffic circle at 19th and Barker Streets is a significant change.
Primary Structures Many of the structures in the area retain original features. A few modern structures have been constructed in the area which do not maintain the historic character of the residential dwellings.
Secondary Structures Overall, the number of secondary structures has been reduced. Some secondary structures have been replaced with new structures. New rear yard decks and patio areas have been constructed. The introduction of rear yard privacy fences is common in the area.
Outdoor Activity Spaces There is less green outdoor activity area space than was present during the period of significance. There is more private manmade outdoor activity space present in the side and rear yards of the residences.
Utilities and Mechanical Equipment The character of the utilities and mechanical equipment in the area is not obviously different than in the period of significance; however there are likely more utility wires. The storm water drainage channel is a significant alteration from the period of significance.
Views The views of the area have had minimal alteration. There is an increased number of residential structures and a loss of open agricultural green space.
Time The amount of nighttime lighting has increased over time. It was also likely that less seasonal ornamentation of the residences and the time when people were leaving and returning from work may have been characterized by more pedestrians and fewer automobiles.
Weather The only difference in the impact of weather today and during the period of significance is that we have air-conditioning today. Typically, people would have been out on porches in the evening and would have slept on sleeping porch if they had them. They certainly would have their windows open, whereas today central air-conditioning keeps people indoors during the hottest part of the summer.
Sounds, Smells, Tastes The introduction of more traffic and higher density living has introduced more sounds and smells.
Conclusion
The Environs for the Zinn-Burroughs House at 1927 Learnard Avenue should be reviewed in the following manner. The Environs should be divided into two areas (see attached map) and the following standards applied to each of the two areas:
Area 1: Maintaining the existing structures and visual appearance of the environs is the primary focus of review. Main structure demolitions would be approved if documentation was provided that indicated that the structure was unsound and/or a certificate of economic hardship was approved.
Minor projects (minor additions, porch remodeling, window and door changes, demolition of outbuildings, etc.) that do not involve the front facing facade will be approved administratively by the Historic Resources Administrator. All design elements are important. The proposed alteration or construction should meet the intent of the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation, the Standards and Guidelines for Evaluating the Effect of Projects on Environs, and the Criteria set forth in 22-505.
Major projects (major additions, new infill construction, major alterations, roof changes, dormers, etc., to the front facing elevations) would be reviewed by the Historic Resources Commission. All design elements are important. The proposed alteration or construction should meet the intent of the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation, the Standards and Guidelines for Evaluating the Effect of Projects on Environs, and the Criteria set forth in 22-505.
Area 2: While this area still maintains the residential character that is important to the environs of the Zinn-Burroughs House, the properties in this area do not have a direct “line-of-sight” to 1927 Learnard Avenue. This area should maintain the overall residential character of the historic environs and the following should apply:
The proposed alteration or construction should meet the intent of the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation, the Standards and Guidelines for Evaluating the Effect of Projects on Environs, and the Criteria set forth in 22-505. Design elements that are important are scale, massing, site placement, height, directional expression, percentage of building coverage to site, setback, roof shapes, rhythm of openings and sense of entry. Demolition of properties shall be approved if a compatible structure is proposed on the site. Maintaining views to the listed property and maintaining the rhythm and pattern in the environs are the primary focus of review.
Minor projects will be approved administratively by the Historic Resources Administrator. The proposed alteration or construction should meet the intent of the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation, the Standards and Guidelines for Evaluating the Effect of Projects on Environs, and the Criteria set forth in 22-505. The main issue in the review is whether the project will encroach upon the listed property.
Major projects (demolition of main structures, new infill construction, significant additions, etc.) will be reviewed by the Historic Resources Commission. The proposed alteration or construction should meet the intent of the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation, the Standards and Guidelines for Evaluating the Effect of Projects on Environs, and the Criteria set forth in 22-505. The main issue in the review is whether the project will encroach upon the listed property.