Historic Preservation Month: Walking Tour Part 4

Written by Joy Siler

May is Historic Preservation Month! Established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1973, the month of May is the time that civic organizations, governmental agencies, and preservation groups all come together to endorse, sponsor, and advocate for the critical work done throughout the year to maintain and protect our historic infrastructure. To support that, the blog is hosting a special walking tour through a unique neighborhood in Denton that will highlight some of the houses and their architecture.

Mid-Century Modern

On a special note for the walking tour, it is pertinent to describe the overall characteristics found in mid-century modern architecture so that one may easily recognize these features in many of the houses presented. The same vocabulary will be used throughout to easily identify the repeated use of certain trends.

Though the style has a varied range of results, there are several factors that contribute to the classification, such as a lack of ornamentation. This means that additional moldings or trim are kept to a minimum and are often simplified to give a clean aesthetic for broader shapes. Vertical and horizontal lines are accentuated in the design of the structure and are especially shown in low rooflines that are often broad and rather flat. Vertical siding provides the contrast and stands out amongst the older trends of horizontal clapboards. The building itself may be low to the ground and be spread out in a way to be less ostentatious. Modern materials allow for simple but sturdy shapes that provide for relaxed, open-concept floor plans and less support columns. The relationship between the home and the outdoors is harmonious, often being expressed in an embrace of the natural surroundings in close proximity for privacy from the outside but dramatic views from inside the home. This is also emphasized by large windows and the use of floor-to-ceiling glass to bring tons of natural light into a space for the merging of indoor and outdoor living.

The Last Houses of Kendolph Drive

Neighborhood map showing the path of the walking tour.

1316 Kendolph Drive

The last part of the walking tour is another concentration of mid-century modern houses on Kendolph Drive.  A design by local architects Isabel Mount and Tom Polk Miller (Mount-Miller), the house at 1316 was built in 1960 and sits back into the middle of the lot. This dwelling breaks the mold by having a higher-pitched roofline as well as a more consolidated layout. However, it fully leans into its relationship with its surroundings. The coloring of the siding is a naturally stained wood and light orange brick that blend well with the many trees and foliage that embrace the structure. Windows along the front stand out with white trim and just under the eaves of the roof, there are several small stained glass pieces to add in further decoration and light. On the other side of the house, it has floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to the backyard that has two koi ponds. There is also an enclosed sunroom to provide another option to enjoy the melding of indoor and outdoor enjoyment.

1311 Kendolph Drive

Moving north, the house across the street on the right bears a slightly familiar shape and set of characteristics as others previously seen. The rosy orange brick of the house blocks in a front carport and porch area as a partial wall. The flat roof extends over both the front carport to the right and porch area to the left of the door. The main block of the dwelling sets to the left and has a vertical cladding all the way around the back of it. The right side of the house boasts multiple large windows, the wall being half glass to look out over the back patio area and allow natural light to filter in. This house was built in 1959.

1227 Kendolph Drive

Another exception to the “historic” aspect of the tour, this particular home was built in 1997 but has a singularity about it that makes it stand out in the neighborhood. Though straightforward in its construction as a rectangular box with a side carport, the smaller front extension and entryway is what immediately draws attention. Dark brown siding is contrasted by a recessed entryway made of brick with light-colored mortar. Looking as though a cut out has been taken from the normal structure, the door and a window are set at angle to cover the distance between the outside edge and the back wall. It stands out as a non-traditional doorway and becomes the focal point of the front façade. The right side reveals wide windows and the use of the front extension as a living room area with open views directed towards the side and back of the property.

1226 Kendolph Drive

Turning to the neighbor on the opposite side of the street, an additional Mount-Miller house stands out in shape and color. The typical vertical cladding runs across the main body of the house in a light grey and is off-set by a similar shade of stone that forms a small wall on the left side. The flat, angular roof is emphasized by the extruding front extension and continues its line to a deeply receded entry. This door also pulls back at an angle. The bright rectangles of color near the door are repeated at the end of the house, no doubt inspired by the 1965 year of construction but not original to the design. Surprisingly, this is not the only entrance as there is a second blue door that is under the slight overhang on the left side of the extrusion. Though only a few small window peers out the front, the other side doesn’t hold back with full floor-to-ceiling windows and half walls of glass.

1221 Kendolph Drive

Built in 1978, this house is slightly younger than many of the others and benefits from that with a straightforward design that shows growth and diversity in the mid-century modern movement. Though it retains a neutral palette of coloring with one pop of bright orange on the door like so many others, the house has a streamlined style that uses its lack of ornamentation to greater advantage. The broad roof and heavy trim keep the home feeling low and flat but does not overcome the lightness of the pale vertical slats of siding. The clever inserts of windows along the roofline and tall panels of glass around the door add a sleek elegance while making sure that all light is not shut out from the interior. This house does not rely as strongly on horizontal lines as much as vertical ones and slight triangular shapes.

1220 Kendolph Drive

A historic photo of the right side in April of 1958.

A historic photo of the fencing that eventually provided more privacy and blocked off the side yard in September of 1959.

Venturing only slightly further north on the street, the next house reverts back into the stronger traditions of the style. This can partly be explained by the house being built earlier. The house blocks itself off by maintaining a high window threshold and using the overhang as a carport in front of the main block. With the shorter end facing the street it discreetly blends in with the trees and landscape with light green siding and peach brick. It seems small and compact but enjoys a privacy cultivated by its reserved exterior. The side as shown in the historic photos from 1958 reveal the wall of windows that span half of the length for the true purpose of the design to shine through. By 1959, the landscaping and fencing were installed. The overhang created by the roof and the cultivated side yard hemmed in by the fencing provides an open but concealed outdoor area.

1200 Kendolph Drive

All the way at the end of Kendolph Drive where it meets with Underwood Street, there is a house around the corner that is partially screened off by a wall of bushes and trees. What peeks through is an interesting house of a natural brown with vertical siding. It has a small trail that leads up to a door on the shorter end. On that wall is a beautiful wooden sun burst and an attached canopy that shelters a front sitting area. The rest of the house seems to be a long rectangle that runs the length of the corner lot. A geometric side fence runs along the side to hide the rest from view. The black trim that lines it adds rectangular shapes of different sizes along the wall and those slim shapes near the top are colored in yellow, pink, and a light brown. It was constructed in 1965 and seems to have slowly disappeared further into its lot.

1120 Kendolph Drive

The last house on the walking tour and coincidentally the very last house on Kendolph Street is located at the dead end that runs right up against the I-35 frontage road. Just like its near neighbor, this house is tightly surrounded by trees, foliage, and bushes. It also has a similar grey geometric fence along its side and not much of the house is visible from the street other than the corner and the wide open carport that sets next to it. The teal trim that lines the roof of the carport matches that of the house and is repeated again in the squares of color near the doorway. A dark but natural stain to the siding obscures the house further amongst the shade of the trees and the shadows that are cast by the extended roof over the edges of the house.

Thank you for joining us on this special walking tour to highlight some of the unique and historical houses that Denton has to offer! Historic preservation is becoming more important than ever before to make sure that the cultural heritage we possess is protected and conserved for the future. You may be surprised at what your own neighborhood can offer!

Sources:

Jones, Greg. “What is Modern: Characteristics of Modern Architecture”. A2 Modern, A2 Modern. 9 April 2011. https://www.a2modern.org/2011/04/characteristics-of-modern-architecture/ 

Photos courtesy of the Office of History and Culture, Zillow, and Google Earth.

Historic Preservation Month: Walking Tour Part 3

Written by Joy Siler

May is Historic Preservation Month! Established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1973, the month of May is the time that civic organizations, governmental agencies, and preservation groups all come together to endorse, sponsor, and advocate for the critical work done throughout the year to maintain and protect our historic infrastructure. To support that, the blog is hosting a special walking tour through a unique neighborhood in Denton that will highlight some of the houses and their architecture.

Mid-Century Modern

On a special note for the walking tour, it is pertinent to describe the overall characteristics found in mid-century modern architecture so that one may easily recognize these features in many of the houses presented. The same vocabulary will be used throughout to easily identify the repeated use of certain trends.

Though the style has a varied range of results, there are several factors that contribute to the classification, such as a lack of ornamentation. This means that additional moldings or trim are kept to a minimum and are often simplified to give a clean aesthetic for broader shapes. Vertical and horizontal lines are accentuated in the design of the structure and are especially shown in low rooflines that are often broad and rather flat. Vertical siding provides the contrast and stands out amongst the older trends of horizontal clapboards. The building itself may be low to the ground and be spread out in a way to be less ostentatious. Modern materials allow for simple but sturdy shapes that provide for relaxed, open-concept floor plans and less support columns. The relationship between the home and the outdoors is harmonious, often being expressed in an embrace of the natural surroundings in close proximity for privacy from the outside but dramatic views from inside the home. This is also emphasized by large windows and the use of floor-to-ceiling glass to bring tons of natural light into a space for the merging of indoor and outdoor living.

Onward!

Neighborhood map showing the path of the walking tour.

1907 Whippoorwill Lane

The more rustic look of this particular home’s exterior belies a 1985 date of completion and a contemporary interior. The dark board-and-batten of the vertical cladding emphasizes the two story home. The drastic tilt to the saltbox roof further makes the front section stand out compared to the smaller extension on the left. A wooden walkway also leads from the entryway to the driveway. Though very different from the usual trends of the time, the use of natural wood and stain show a desire to be inconspicuous and even environmentally aware of the materials utilized in regards to the home’s surroundings.

1903 Whippoorwill Lane

The next door neighbor is also on the list and was built in 1961. This long, rectangular box is another modest mid-century modern build. With the horizontal lines of the brick, roof line, and half-wall in front of the porch being contrasted with the vertical lines brought by the poles that support the overhang for the porch, the house is simplistic but natural. The large windows on the porch wall also allow for wide views out of the house while the half-wall and porch provide a touch of privacy for looking in. The back has an open courtyard area that lightens the weight of the heavy roof.

1901 Whippoorwill Lane

Even more flat and rectangular that the last, 1901 Whippoorwill Lane also maintains an understated profile. It is a bit older having been built in 1955. The mid-century modern home uses dark orange brick layered over the bottom two-thirds of the wall to mimic the half-wall look and has a line of smaller, square windows to peek over the top. The large white blocks that make up the rest add a further sense of weight to the low structure. The entryway is small and understated with very little recess. The left side of the house matches the right brick with a little less height and slightly larger windows. The overhanging roofline provides shade to the front façade, dampens the stark color contrast of the orange and white, and further imposes a heavy horizontal line on the design.

1426 Kendolph Drive

Taking a left at the end of the lane brings the tour back to Kendolph Drive. As another home tucked in among the trees, the house at 1426 is snuggly fitted into its shaded spot in the middle of the lot. It was built in 1961. The structure itself is situated perpendicular to the road and uses this perspective to juxtapose the angles of its two flat roofs. The dark caramel up against the cream of the siding also stands in earthy contrasting colors. The entrance is recessed under the overhang of the roof on the right side.

1403 Kendolph Drive

The beautiful 1959 mid-century modern design for this particular home makes it one of the highlights of the entire tour. To properly describe this house, it must begin as one would approach it from the street. The wide pathway that leads to the entry is lined at the edges with small stones and it pulls the eye towards the door and the massive overhang that is stilted over a portion of the yard. A small porch area to the left side is accentuated by a decorative concrete wall that compliments the block across the house’s lower foundation. Slim windows line the bright red door that pops out amongst the dark vertical siding of the upper section. The light gravel that runs under the stilts is terraced down the yard to the driveway and has large stones embedded to add a touch of naturalism. The flat, angled roof lines add to the geometric feel of the shapes described in the building’s outline, but what truly sets this off is the right façade of the house that hangs over the carport. The bright red, yellow, olive green, and white grid (reminiscent of paintings by artist Piet Mondrian) that overlooks the side yard is a surprising burst of color and lightness that gives a whole new perspective on the design in its totality. This view also peeks into the front extrusion where the coloring is repeated around the opening of the small side porch there. A view through the house from there shows full windows out of the back to let in even more light. The multiple sides to this house show a care for not only the front-facing design like so many older styles, but a consideration for the building as a whole.

Sources:

“O’Neil Ford Architect: A Catalog of the Works of O’Neil Ford in Denton, Texas.” Historic Landmark Commission, City of Denton. 1992. Online. ONeil-Ford-Architect-a-Catalogue-of-the-Works-of-ONeil-Ford-in-Denton-PDF (cityofdenton.com)

Jones, Greg. “What is Modern: Characteristics of Modern Architecture”. A2 Modern, A2 Modern. 9 April 2011. https://www.a2modern.org/2011/04/characteristics-of-modern-architecture/ 

Voellinger, Chuck. “In The Weeds 11.8.17: Mid-Century Modern in Denton.” Denton Public Library, Denton Public Library. 9 Nov. 2017. In The Weeds 11.8.17: Mid-Century Modern in Denton – Denton Public Library (wordpress.com)

Photos courtesy of the Office of History and Culture, Zillow, and Google Earth.

Historic Preservation Month: Walking Tour Part 2

Written by Joy Siler

May is Historic Preservation Month! Established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1973, the month of May is the time that civic organizations, governmental agencies, and preservation groups all come together to endorse, sponsor, and advocate for the critical work done throughout the year to maintain and protect our historic infrastructure. To support that, the blog is hosting a special walking tour through a unique neighborhood in Denton that will highlight some of the houses and their architecture.

Mid-Century Modern

On a special note for the walking tour, it is pertinent to describe the overall characteristics found in mid-century modern architecture so that one may easily recognize these features in many of the houses presented. The same vocabulary will be used throughout to easily identify the repeated use of certain trends.

Though the style has a varied range of results, there are several factors that contribute to the classification, such as a lack of ornamentation. This means that additional moldings or trim are kept to a minimum and are often simplified to give a clean aesthetic for broader shapes. Vertical and horizontal lines are accentuated in the design of the structure and are especially shown in low rooflines that are often broad and rather flat. Vertical siding provides the contrast and stands out amongst the older trends of horizontal clapboards. The building itself may be low to the ground and be spread out in a way to be less ostentatious. Modern materials allow for simple but sturdy shapes that provide for relaxed, open-concept floor plans and less support columns. The relationship between the home and the outdoors is harmonious, often being expressed in an embrace of the natural surroundings in close proximity for privacy from the outside but dramatic views from inside the home. This is also emphasized by large windows and the use of floor-to-ceiling glass to bring tons of natural light into a space for the merging of indoor and outdoor living.

Continuing the Tour

Neighborhood map showing the path of the walking tour.

1813 Willowwood Street

As one of the most unassuming houses in the neighborhood, 1813 Willowwood Street is a cream-colored rectangle of thin bricks and flat, white siding on the right end. The blue double-door entry is set next to a very slim rectangular window and is set off by the dark stain on the heavy upper trim of the roof. It was constructed in 1964 and has an even plainer façade than most mid-century modern homes, making it seem very utilitarian. However, that drastically changes on the inside when the home is flooded with light and air with its open courtyard. The main rooms of the house are shaped as an L on the edges of the courtyard with walls made of structured glass to reveal the outdoor space and provide a cross view of the entire enclosure. A section of this functions rather like a slim solarium for ferns and other potted plants. It was designed by Dr. Ray Gough, a influential professor at UNT who is considered the founder of the Interior Design program for the College of Visual Arts and Design.

1824 Willowwood Street

The stateliest home on Willowwood Street is quite impressive as it sits on its five acre lot. Reverting back to an older style of architecture but a bit surprising to find being built in 1961, this Greek Revival Farmhouse is more formal than the others but is a less flamboyant version for the category. Four columns support the overhanging roof of the main square façade. The windows are large and very symmetrical with the top middle decorated with a false balustrade. The ornamental pediment over the doorway flanked by the two smaller windows and sconces are characteristics that are Greek Revival in their stateliness. Making the house much larger, two extensions on either side give a more informal air as they are not symmetrical or as fitted to the style—bringing a more modern twist on the traditional. The right side extension has a sloping roof shape much like a Dutch roof and has matching bow windows on either side of the secondary entrance.

1712 Highland Park Road

The next house to visit is located at 1712 Highland Park Road where the road intersects with Willowwood Street. This particular home is special to point out as it was designed by the famous Denton architect O’Neil Ford and his partner Arch Swank. It was known as the Lillian Parrill House when it was first built at the corner of Avenue “D” and Chestnut Street, not far from where Ford himself grew up. Miss Parrill commissioned it for $6,500 to be built in 1939 for herself and her two sisters. The next year it was featured in the April issue of Pencil Points Magazine (now Progressive Architecture). The house moved to its present site in 1967 and features a beautiful oiled hemlock siding that is grey in color. The roof is gently pitched over an “L”-shaped structure with a small extension in the back and several steel casement windows.

1600 Highland Park Road

This slightly hidden home is secluded behind a natural wood fence and several trees on the property. It has light grey vertical cladding that blends amongst the modern, stylized block wall that curtails a direct view of the front from the street. Golden yellow trim around the garage and the front door provide small accents, as well as the bright blue walkway that leads up to the entrance. The shape of the house is a long rectangle with a widely pitched roof. The front and back of the house maximize the use of large glass windows to let in beautifully shaded views of the surrounding lot. It was built in 1962.

1900 Westridge Street

Directly across the road onto Westridge Street is number 1900 and another Mount-Miller design built in 1970. This very different form of mid-century modern is accentuated by the two-story block in the middle that has the upper level slightly protrude over the bottom. This is offset by the angled roof lines of the right side extension and features geometric windows around the door. The light tan brick runs perpendicular to the vertical siding that covers the second story and the left side extension. The master bedroom and ensuite bathroom were added on in the 1980s. Again, a large back wall of windows is added to allow for a lot of natural light and outdoor views to the backyard and patio.

1940 Whippoorwill Lane

Moving north again along Highland Park Road to 1940 Whippoorwill Lane, another mid-century modern home stands on the corner lot. Though not as distinctly designed as some of the others along this tour, this particular home still has the typical low build, lacks any major ornamentation, and relies on the natural setting of its site to bring it shade and beauty. The bright green door and dark green shingles on the roof contrast the white siding and black trim on the house. It was constructed in 1970 and has seen drastic renovations on the outside to bring it to the current condition. However, its overall aesthetic has not been greatly altered and maintains its historic characteristics.

The Historic Preservation Month Tour will continue in next week’s blog post!

Sources:

Jones, Greg. “What is Modern: Characteristics of Modern Architecture”. A2 Modern, A2 Modern. 9 April 2011. https://www.a2modern.org/2011/04/characteristics-of-modern-architecture/ 

Photos courtesy of the Office of History and Culture, Zillow, and Google Earth.

Historic Preservation Month: Walking Tour Part 1

Written by Joy Siler

May is Historic Preservation Month! Established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1973, the month of May is the time that civic organizations, governmental agencies, and preservation groups all come together to endorse, sponsor, and advocate for the critical work that is done throughout the year to maintain and protect our historic infrastructure. To support that, the blog is hosting a special walking tour through a unique neighborhood in Denton that will highlight some of the houses and their architecture.

Structures Worth Saving

An important part of cultural heritage within any city—and especially ones like Denton—are the very buildings in which daily life is conducted and experienced. They provide shelter, community spaces, and safe environments for people to live and work in. Some have lasted for many years to provide insight to the desires, tastes, and cultural values of past generations. Through historic preservation of such structures or sites, appreciation and education about these topics may be enjoyed. Their physicality can be impactful and create unique experiences for scholars and the general public alike. Though often forgotten as being the most common type, no other buildings of historic significance may be as closely cherished as the houses that provide that nurturing and most precious of idyllic domains we call “home”. They are intimately used and typically change over time as they are renovated or become damaged–therefore making them difficult to save in the right conditions. Houses are one of the many structures that are critical to preserve to show key architectural styles, material culture via their layouts and decoration, and often the histories of the very people who influenced their creation or lived within them.

Within a special neighborhood in Denton, there are a myriad of homes that range in styles from Folk Victorian, to Greek Revival, to Mid-Century Modern. Though some may not come to mind as the typical historical home, most of them are over 50 years old, are representative of a rarer but distinct style, and a few even have a significance of having been designed by well-known local architects. Thus, they all possess value in being preserved and are often fascinating to view for their features. Some may have changed and been updated in some ways by the owners, but overall they maintain their qualifications.

Mid-Century Modern

On a special note for the walking tour, it is pertinent to describe the overall characteristics found in mid-century modern architecture so that one may easily recognize these features in many of the houses presented. The same vocabulary will be used throughout to easily identify the repeated use of certain trends.

Though the style has a varied range of results, there are several factors that contribute to the classification, such as a lack of ornamentation. This means that additional moldings or trim are kept to a minimum and are often simplified to give a clean aesthetic for broader shapes. Vertical and horizontal lines are accentuated in the design of the structure and are especially shown in low rooflines that are often broad and rather flat. Vertical siding provides the contrast and stands out amongst the older trends of horizontal clapboards. The building itself may be low to the ground and be spread out in a way to be less ostentatious. Modern materials allow for simple but sturdy shapes that provide for relaxed, open-concept floor plans and less support columns. The relationship between the home and the outdoors is harmonious, often being expressed in an embrace of the natural surroundings in close proximity for privacy from the outside but dramatic views from inside the home. This is also emphasized by large windows and the use of floor-to-ceiling glass to bring tons of natural light into a space for the merging of indoor and outdoor living.

The Tour

To begin the walking tour, the neighborhood being described is directly south of the University of North Texas and I-35E as it curves along the edge of Denton. Located to the east of Bonnie Brae Street’s many UNT sports stadiums, the grid of streets that make up the tour are Lindsey Street, Willowwood Street, Highland Park Road, Westridge Street, Whippoorwill Lane, and Kendolph Drive. Altogether, there are 24 homes that are considered to be of note.

Neighborhood map showing the path of the walking tour.

*Additional homes shown on the map are 1400 and 1605 Kendolph Drive. These are marked as being historical houses, but cannot be fully seen from the street as they are hidden by tall hedges or trees that maintain complete privacy for those particular lots.*

1555 Lindsey Street

The first section of the walking tour will begin at 1555 Lindsey Street: a charming Folk Victorian home ensconced further back in the lot amongst several trees. This particular house is a good place to start as it is the oldest on the list being built in 1890. It also has the oldest architectural style being a quintessential example of an accessibly moderate Victorian home. The spindlework detailing on the front porch and the ornamental green trim give it an air of sophistication while the smaller sizing and plain construction of the horizontal clapboards add a touch of practical humility. It is two stories with a steeply gabled roofline that all comes to a unique and jaunty curved point at the center. Folk Victorian homes were designed to be more affordable for the middle-class while still appealing to some of the eccentric embellishments preferred in the high-end trends of the time period. Their popularity existed from around 1870 to 1910, though some few continued to be built into the 1930s. This is a great first stop on the tour as it shows some of the ideas that mid-century modern architecture directly resisted and avoided as a reaction to the previous generational style.

1601 Lindsey Street

Continuing west down the street to number 1601 on Lindsey Street, the next house retreats further back as it is mostly obstructed from view by several trees and large bushes on the property. However, the home is a contrast from its neighbor as an “L”-shaped, mid-century modern construction of a light beige color. A steeply-angled but flat roof, with slim, rectangular windows at the top, hangs over the disconnected garage as the main view from the street. The rest of the house lies perpendicular to the road and stands two stories tall. The styling matches that of the garage and has a wide dormer window in the middle. There is a minimal use of windows along the front, but the large overhanging porch as the back provides a sizable opening.

1526 Willowwood Street

The next stop is further south and around the corner on Willowwood Street at number 1526. It was built in 1975 and takes a sharp turn from the traditional. Also being located closer to the middle of the long lot behind a curve of trees, this house is harder to make out due to its somber coloring and lack of ornamentation. However, upon a closer inspection, this house becomes a marvel of its own. The front of the house is made entirely of darkened glass. It functions as a full solarium and has a bridge that crosses from the front entry to the house. The rest of the two-story home opens to this area with large double doors and windows as well. This particular example truly brings the outdoors in and relishes its connection to natural environs.

1700 Willowwood Street

The fifth house is the only one made of roughly-cut pale stone and built after the turn of the century in 2001. Though not historic by any means, its unique style is worthy of being included in the listing of interesting homes to note in the neighborhood. Settled slightly lower than the sidewalk before it, 1700 Willowwood is a unique home that is very Western and seems like it would be better placed on a desert ranch. The rounded curve to the entryway with the vertically-opening shutters is a deft design that really sets this house apart. A metal roof adorns the long house and has the more modern additions of a few solar panels. It is constructed with roughly cut stone and has numerous square cutouts for windows set a middling height in the wall and smaller ones along the top just under the eaves. This is a way of letting in more of the natural light that is utilized for many mid-century modern homes while playing with its form in a singular way. Its placement on the downward slope into the lot and the obscured façade additionally makes it seem inconspicuous; however, the back features full floor-to-ceiling windows that open up the home to an airy backyard of raised planting beds and terraced butterfly gardens. It has the added distinction of being a Mount-Miller creation. A famous pairing of the local architects, Isabel Mount and Tom Polk Miller produced many mid-century modern designs that can be found across Denton.

1811 Willowwood Street

A historic image of the front entrance when it was first built.

Nearby is 1811 which sits perpendicular to the street and has an extended gravel driveway alongside the house. With a marked difference in coloring, the rather flattened roofline is trimmed in a light yellow that stands out against the teal vertical slats of the house’s siding. A partially walled in front porch area with a half-height wooden fencing that extends to the yard hides the front door from view. An open beam crosses the entryway to connect to the other extension on the house and provides a less-cramped overhang. While very private from the outside, the back side of the house is paned with large, clear windows to allow a large amount of light into the space and bring the outdoors in. A common form of mid-century modern homes, the style of this house seems withdrawn from the front, but open and light in the more intimate sanctums. It was built in 1980 and was the residence of Paul Voertman, the the successful owner of Voertman’s Bookstore in Denton. He was known as a very generous philanthropist and a strong supporter of the arts.

Check back next week for another portion of the Historic Preservation Month Walking Tour!

Sources:

Jones, Greg. “What is Modern: Characteristics of Modern Architecture”. A2 Modern, A2 Modern. 9 April 2011. https://www.a2modern.org/2011/04/characteristics-of-modern-architecture/ 

Parker, Henry. “Folk Victorian Architectural Style”. Today’s Homeowner, Today’s Homeowner. 20 Sept. 2019. https://todayshomeowner.com/blog/guides/folk-victorian/

Photos courtesy of the Office of History and Culture, Zillow, and Google Earth.

Gibson’s Discount Center

Before Walmart, there was another chain discount store, Gibson’s Discount Center. Founded in Texas, Gibson’s Discount Center quickly grew into a nationwide empire. At its peak, Gibson’s Discount Center had almost 700 stores across the United States, including Hawaii and Guam. It’s even rumored that Sam Walton tried to get in on the Gibson’s franchise but was denied, leading to his eventual creation of Walmart.

Older Dentonites may even remember shopping at the Gibson’s Discount Center located off of I-35 near the UNT campus. The Gibson’s Discount store in Denton closed in the early 1980s, but the building continued to serve as a grocery store for many years afterward. Most recently (2008-2015), the building was home to Sack ‘n Save.

Construction of the Gibson’s Discount Center Sign – from the Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum collection

History of Gibson’s

In 1935, Herbert Gibson and his wife Belva moved to Dallas and opened a small wholesale company named Gibson Products. In April of 1957, Herbert Gibson and his wife Belva opened the first public Gibson’s Discount Center in Abilene, Texas. Just a week later, the second Gibson’s Discount Center opened in Lubbock. Fast expansion became the norm for Gibson’s business model. In less than a decade after the first store in Abilene opened, there were more than 400 locations of Gibson’s Discount Centers.

However, the Gibson’s Discount Center empire was short-lived. In 1972, Herbert Gibson gave control of the company to his children. In the decade following, Gibson’s Discount hit its peak and then rapidly declined due to increasing competition from Walmart. The Gibson family sold the company off in 1984.

Today two independently owned stores using the Gibson’s name remain in Texas. In Weatherford, the Gibson’s Ace Hardware has been open for over 50 years and is still considered a local favorite. Additionally, the Gibson’s Discount Center in Kerrville has remained in operation since its opening in 1968 and is known to have a great selection of firearms.

Gibson’s Discount Center Ad in The Campus Chat (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 46, No. 59, Ed. 1 Friday, June 28, 1963

Blue Laws & Gibson’s

One of the more controversial aspects of Gibson’s Discount was their staunch and vocal opposition to Texas’s Blue Laws. In 1961, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, commonly called “Texas’s Blue Law,” was enacted. The code prohibited 42 specific items from being sold on Sundays. The law intended to encourage people to observe Sunday as a day of worship. Some items that were illegal to sell on Sunday included clothing, kitchen utensils, various appliances, tools, jewelry, and luggage. These restrictions were very inconvenient for department stores like Gibson’s, who had to rope off large sections of their store every Sunday. Gibson’s Product Co. challenged the law multiple times in the state legislature and eventually brought it’s case to the Texas Supreme Court.

Interestingly, a Gibson’s Discount store manager was arrested for selling socks! In 1978, a police investigator visited Gibson’s Discount Store in Greensville, Texas. The investigator purchased a pair of socks on Saturday and then returned them on Sunday and bought another pair of socks. According to Texas’s Blue Laws, socks could be sold on Saturday or Sunday but not both days. The manager of the Greenville Gibson’s Discount Store, George Morris, was arrested the following Monday for violating the Blue Law. Morris appealed his case to the Supreme Court, which let Texas’s ruling stand. Though the Blue Laws were widely unpopular, they remained in effect for more than 20 years until it was repealed in 1985.

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Gibson’s Discount Center Grand Opening Denton, TX – from the Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum collection

Gibson’s Discount Center, Denton, TX – from the Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum collection

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Blog written by Madison L.

Sources:

Duncan, Jenna. “Sack & Save Closing for Good.” Denton Record-Chronicle, 17 June 2015, https://dentonrc.com/news/sack-save-closing-for-good/article_2f26f69f-f813-59f7-b33f-67f4b6e339db.html.

Dunnigan, Dave. The Campus Chat (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 46, No. 59, Ed. 1 Friday, June 28, 1963, newspaper, June 28, 1963; Denton, TX. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth314284/m1/4/?q=%20%22Gibson%27s%20Discount%22%20date%3A1930-1967:), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.

Ennis, Michael. “Texas Primer: The Blue Law.” Texas Monthly , July 1984, https://www.texasmonthly.com/being-texan/texas-primer-the-blue-law/.

KXAS-TV (Television station : Fort Worth, Tex.). [News Clip: Blue Law], video, December 8, 1978, 10:00 p.m.; Fort Worth, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1153253/m1/?q=blue%20laws:), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.

Phelps, Greg A. “Herbert Richard (H. R.) Gibson (1901–1986).” Encyclopedia of Arkansas, 23 Sept. 2021, https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/herbert-richard-8096/.

Shockley, Tara. Lamar University Press (Beaumont, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 27, Ed. 1 Wednesday, January 24, 1979, newspaper, January 24, 1979; Beaumont, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth499883/m1/4/?q=+%22Gibson%27s+Discount%22+%22Blue+Laws%22), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Lamar University.

Sniffen, John. “Gibson’s ‘Pretty Much the Same’ after 50 Years.” Daily Times, 19 Feb. 2018, https://dailytimes.com/promotions/article_ef610a46-1578-11e8-b64d-87be3bf87f02.html.

Selections From The Jagoe Collection

Throughout Denton’s history, the Jagoes have been a prominent family. In 1874, Joseph Warren Jagoe Sr. moved to Denton and became law partners with Judge Joseph A. Carroll, who later served as a district judge. A few years later in 1877, J.W. Jagoe Sr. was elected mayor of Denton. Joseph Warren Jagoe, Sr. continued to serve Denton as the Representative for Denton County in the 21st Texas Legislature. In addition to his legacy of civil service, J.W. Jagoe Sr. also created the Jagoe Abstract Company which remained in business for over 100 years in Denton as it was passed down through generations.

As Collections Assistant for the Denton County Office of History and Culture, I am currently cataloging the Jagoe collection. Last year, the Jagoe collection was donated to the Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum by Kippy Jagoe, daughter of J.W. Jagoe III. Here are just a few of my recent finds in the collection:

Kippy Jagoe in her Prom dress- from the Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum collection

One of my favorite items in the collection is Kippy Jagoe’s 1960 prom dress. The dress was designed by Mary Carter and purchased at Neiman-Marcus in Dallas, TX. This peachy pink silk taffeta ballgown has a sweetheart neckline with a ruched bodice and tulle overlay. The gown has an attached crinoline made with rows of gathered tulle attached to a horse hair foundation. The full multi-layer skirt is finished off with a large silk taffeta bow in the back. Kippy chose to style this dress with long white evening gloves.

Kippy wore this pink ballgown to her Senior Prom at Denton High School. The following year, Kippy wore the dress again to the Grand Ball hosted by the National Society of the Children of The American Revolution (CAR). That year the ball was held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. Coincidentally, then U.S. Vice President Richard Nixon and President of France Charles de Gaulle were having dinner right across the hall from the CAR ball. Kippy remembers how she and other CAR members waited in the hall for Nixon and de Gaulle to finish their dinner. When the two leaders finally finished their dinner and entered the hall, CAR members sang La Marseillaise as a tribute to De Gaulle.

Kippy Jagoe and date James Harp at the CAR National Conference – from the Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum collection

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Kippy Jagoe’s Red Semi-Formal – from the Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum collection

Another favorite of mine is this early 1960s semi-formal dress designed by Elaine Terry. This apple red dress has a wide scoop neckline with delicate spaghetti straps, a full skirt, and a daringly low scooped back. It is easy to see why this classic red dress was a favorite of Kippy’s. The dress was most likely purchased from Neiman-Marcus for Kippy to wear to a Valentines’ Day dance. Kippy recalls also wearing this dress to several CAR dances.

Kippy Jagoe (standing far right) at the Texas State CAR Annual Conference, in her red dress – from the Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum collection

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Finally, we have this classic early 1960s emerald green satin dress designed by Joan Leslie. Kippy believes this dress was also purchased from Neiman-Marcus for a dance at Denton High School. This elegant dress has cap sleeves and a scoop neckline. The skirt originally had a bubble hem, but it was removed at some point to lower the hem. Unfortunately, we do not have any photographs of Kippy wearing this dress, but you can imagine how great it must have looked on her!

Kippy Jagoe’s Green Semi-Formal dress – from the Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum collection

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Information and photos pulled from Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum archives.

Blog written by Madison L.

Who’s Who in Denton County: John B. Schmitz

John B Schmitz, date unknown

John B. Schmitz was an early inhabitant of Denton and a prominent businessman and local community leader.

Schmitz was born in 1858 in Durand, Illinois as the oldest of nine children to German immigrants John and Mary Schmitz. At the age of 20, he moved first to Dallas, then to Denton, and opened a furniture store on Elm Street in 1878. His business specialized in selling and repairing pianos and organs.

Schmitz Furniture Store on Elm, which still stands today

A few months later, he opened an undertaking department out of his furniture store, a common practice in Texas at the time. In 1883, Schmitz turned the original building into a warehouse and moved his business to the West side of the Square. In 1888, a building was constructed on the North side of the Square for his business and Schmitz moved one last time to his final location.

In a few short years after his arrival, the young John Schmitz would be considered a prominent business man.

Schmitz was active in local politics and community concerns. He was a founding member of the Denton Board of Trade, helped organize the city’s fire department and, helped bring two rail lines to Denton. Schmitz also had a hand in persuading the state legislature to establish the State Industrial School for Girls (now TWU). He served on Denton’s school board for twelve years.

A letter from Nels Johnson, Denton Courthouse clockmaker, to John Schmitz can be seen in the 40 for 40 exhibition at the courthouse. Schmitz worked as the purchasing agent for the county when the Courthouse was being constructed. Schmitz’s cash register is also in the exhibition, open until February 8, 2020 at the Courthouse Museum.

Political poster from Schmitz’s bid for Governor

Schmitz’s involvement in the community encouraged him to get involved in state politics. He was an active member of the Republican Party (before the ideologies of the political parties switched) and represented North Texas at national conventions three times as the local chairman of the party. Schmitz ran as the “reform” candidate for state comptroller and then Governor. He was never elected but Theodore Roosevelt appointed him Postmaster of Denton around 1902. William Taft reinstated him in 1909 and he served until 1911. After he ran for Congress in 1922 and lost, Schmitz left formal politics for good. After his wife’s death in 1924, Schmitz devoted himself to his business and his community.

John Schmitz died on March 10, 1941 at the age of 82.

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Sources

Denton County Office of History and Culture files and photos

Texas State Historical Association page on John B. Schmitz

The Portal to Texas History’s description on the shop photograph

 

Who’s Who in Denton County: The Bates Family

Ed F Bates on the Square (right, holding a megaphone) during an Armistice Day Parade in 1919

Reverend William E Bates

Reverend William E Bates was born in Amherst County, Virginia in 1812. He moved to Barren County, Kentucky in 1820 and then to Denton in 1851. As one of the foremost circuit preachers in the region, Reverend W.E. Bates was instrumental in establishing Methodism in Denton and in the broader North Texas area. In 1857, Reverend W.E. Bates founded the first organized church in Denton- the First Methodist Episcopal Church. Over the next three decades, before his death in 1883, Reverend W.E. Bates oversaw churches all across the frontier in North Texas and his last circuit was over 300 miles long.

Reverend Eugene Taylor Bates

Reverend Eugene Taylor Bates was the son of Reverend William E Bates. He moved to Denton with his father in 1851 at the age of 9. Reverend E.T. Bates was the only son to continue William’s circuit work. He joined the Methodist church in 1858 and enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861. About four years later, when the Confederates surrendered, he returned to Denton and became a licensed preacher. Reverend E.T. Bates followed more-or-less the same circuit as his father before him before dying in 1914  of a chronic illness contracted during his time in the army.

The flock and church of Rev Eugene Taylor Bates

Edmond Franklin Bates

Edmond Franklin Bates, one of the younger sons of W.E. Bates, was the mayor of Denton in 1909 and then again in 1912 & 1913. However, he is most well known for writing the first book of Denton’s history. Ed and his family lived at what is now 719 West Sycamore, which still stands today. His daughters continued living there decades after his death in 1927.

719 West Sycamore, the previous family home of Ed F Bates and his family

Not much is known about what Ed F Bates did as mayor except that he was the mayor at the time of the implementation of Denton’s first sewage system. After experiencing a typhoid fever breakout in 1908 due to the unsanitary conditions of the city, a bond was put together for the installation of the first sewage system in Denton, which was to be completed in 1909.

His book on Denton history, “History and Reminiscences of Denton County” was published in 1918 and remained the only major work of its kind for decades afterwards. Bates was the Secretary of the “Old Settlers’ and Veteran’s Association of Denton County,” which had been pushing for such a compilation for years. Ed was elected chairman of the History and Reminiscences of Denton County committee five years before the book was published. The purpose of the committee was to gather the funds for a book that recorded the history of the settler’s of Denton County “as nearly authentic as possible.” Every survey of Denton history since has referenced Ed F Bates’ first account and we have him to thank for preserving early facts about the settlement of the city.

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Sources

“History and Reminiscences of Denton County” by Ed F Bates

“History of Denton, Texas From Its Beginning to 1960” by C.A. Bridges

Photos from the archives of the Denton County Office of History and Culture

The Greater Denton Arts Council

Present day exterior of the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center, home of the Greater Denton Arts Council

Although smaller than its other North Texas city counterparts, Denton is a thriving hub for the arts. From the wildly popular annual Arts and Jazz Festival to the driving artistic forces of the universities, Denton has proven itself to be a hotbed for artistic creativity and its passionate supporters.

The Greater Denton Arts Council acts as the hub of Denton’s creative spirit.

Although they are primarily homed in the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center, the Arts Council, through donations and partnerships, touches all aspects of the arts community.

The Building

The Patterson-Appleton Arts Center, located on the corner of Hickory and Bell, contains the main offices of the Greater Denton Arts Council as well as two galleries, a dance rehearsal hall, an art studio, and a massive rent-able event space that also functions as a third exhibition area. The building originally functioned as the city’s steam power plant.

The steam power plant on opening day, 1929

Power plant in 1935

In 2014, the building was renamed from the Center of Visual Arts to the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center after Fred and Patsy Patterson and Roy Appleton, Jr. Fred Patterson was a champion of the arts in Denton, serving in leadership positions all across the arts landscape, including as chair of the Bayless-Selby House Museum. He also served as co-chair for the capital committee, which funded the renovation for the building. Roy Appleton was instrumental in bringing economic growth to Denton as well as public broadcasting.

In 2017, the building underwent another renovation, cleaning up the original brick walls, adding a high-tech lighting system, and bringing in a welcoming front desk. Art works were also commissioned by artists Amie Adelman and Neal Paustian.

The Arts Council

GDAC was formed when the Fine Arts and Cultural Affairs Committee was created by the Denton Chamber of Commerce in 1967. The committee became an independent entity in 1969 and was renamed the Greater Denton Arts Council, which soon achieved its nonprofit status.

In 1981, GDAC negotiated with the city to acquire the old power plant as well as an adjoining warehouse on the condition that GDAC fund any renovations the building needed. Over the next 3 years, 1.5 million dollars was raised for the complex. Renovations began in May of 1984. In April of the following year, the building was opened to the public and the first exhibition was put on.

The Meadows Gallery was opened in 1985 and the East Gallery (now the Gough gallery, named after Georgia Gough).

Georgia Gough in 1990

Over the next few decades, GDAC created local and regional partnerships, expanded their educational programs, put on over 500 exhibits, and raised and distributed thousands of dollars in grants to local artists and art organizations through their relationship with The Arts Guild and then Wild Women for the Arts. The work the council has done and is still doing for the arts of Denton is profound and far-reaching.

Educational summer program in 1999

The 33rd annual Materials Hard + Soft exhibition in 2019. The exhibit is a contemporary craft show begun in 1987 by Georgia Gough.