Step One
Historical Significance and Context
According to the application for Historic Landmark designation, the Parnham House located on the property at 1028 Rhode Island Street was constructed built between ca. 1869-1873. The property is being nominated to the Lawrence Register of Historic Places under local criteria # 1 and #6. Local criterion #1 is for character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the community, county, state, or nation. Local criterion #6 is for its embodiment of elements of design, detailing, materials, or craftsmanship that render it architecturally significant.
The period of significance for the related nomination categories is not defined by dates. The property continues to contribute to the character, interest, and value as part of the development of Lawrence. Architectural significance is not bound by period of significance dates.
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, the nomination information, 1873 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 The property is located in the original townsite of Lawrence. The environs consisted of platted lots on relatively flat ground. There were no significant natural features in the environs of the subject property, but the Kansas River was just over ½ mile to the north.
Property Boundaries and Ownership Patterns The majority of lots in the area developed with individual structures on individual lots. Some of the lots were developed with structure crossing the lot lines to physically combine the lots. The English Lutheran Church was constructed in 1870 to the southwest.
Land Use Patterns and Zoning Historically, land use in the surrounding area was residential. Most of the area was developed by 1889 with residential structures (identified on the 1889 Sanborn Fire Insurance maps). The English Lutheran Church was constructed in 1870 to the southwest.
With the first zoning ordinance in 1927, the property was zoned “Dwelling House District.”
Circulation Patterns The streets in the area reflected the traditional grid pattern of the original townsite. Alleys ran north to south in the center of state named blocks.
Planned Vegetation Patterns The planned vegetation patterns were primarily residential plantings in front yards and gardens in the side or rear yards.
Signs and Pedestrian Amenities There were few signs in the area. Most of the signage was in conjunction to the associated commercial uses and was typically located on the structure. Sidewalks existed in the area.
Primary Structures The primary structures in the environs of the property were residential structures. Structure sizes and heights were varied. Materials of the structures were wood, brick, and stone. The English Lutheran Church was constructed in 1870 to the southwest.
Secondary Structures Secondary structures were nearly always garages, barns, sheds, and garden structures. The majority of these structures were wood framed with wood sheathing. Some metal siding existed at the time of construction but it was primarily used for small accessory structures.
Outdoor Activity Spaces South Park was to the southwest of the property.
Utilities and Mechanical Equipment Most basic utilities like water, gas, and sewer, were present in the historic period.
Views The views to the listed property were typical for a historic residential area adjacent to downtown.
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 The area is predominately flat.
Property Boundaries and Ownership Patterns Property boundaries and ownership patterns mainly reflect the proposed development pattern of the original plat. Typically, there are individual structures on individual lots or combined lots of two. The property boundaries to the west on New Hampshire Street are primarily consolidated lots with multiple ownerships typical.
Land Use Patterns and Zoning All of the land use in the environs area is residential with the exception of a portion of a parking lot on New Hampshire Street and a portion of the lot for the Old English Lutheran Church (c.1870). Beyond the parking lot to the west is the commercial downtown area for Lawrence. The current zoning in the environs is RS5 to the east and RM12 to the north, south and west. The western most approximately 50’ of the environs, the parking lot and the church property, is zoned CD. The parking lot and the church property are also located in Lawrence’s Downtown Conservation Overlay District. The uses in the area are not all consistent with the zoning. The residential block in which the subject property is located is primarily a single dwelling area and not a multi dwelling area that allows 12 units per acre. The majority of the lots in the environs are 50’ X 117’ lots of 5850 sf. The density and dimensional standards for the RM12 district require a lot with 60’ frontage and a minimum size of 6,000 sf.
Circulation Patterns The circulation patterns are street grid patterns with alleys running north to south in the center of state named blocks.
Planned Vegetation Patterns The planned vegetation patterns primarily consist of residential lots with yards that include trees and landscaped yards. The parking lot to the west has little or no landscaping with a small amount of grass and trees.
Signs and Pedestrian Amenities There are a large number of signs in the area including traffic signs, road name signs, identification signs like monument signs, and commercial signs. Pedestrian amenities include sidewalks and street lighting.
Primary Structures The majority of the structures are one and two story structures made of wood and brick. There are also stone structures in the area. The parking lot and the church to the west are anomalies in the environs.
Secondary Structures Secondary structures are typically garages and storage buildings. Most are wood frame with wood sheathing.
Outdoor Activity Spaces Outdoor activity space is South Park to the southwest.
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. Cable lines also exist in the area.
Views Views to and from the property are typical for a residential area adjacent to the downtown of the city. The view from the property to the southwest has changed to include the Law Enforcement Center.
Step Four
Comparison of the Historic and Present Character of the Area Surrounding the Property
Natural Features The natural features have not changed.
Property Boundaries and Ownership Patterns Most of the property boundaries are the same. The exception is the removal of residential structures to the west on New Hampshire Street and the combination of those lots for the parking lot.
Land Use Patterns and Zoning The majority of the land use patterns are the same other than the changes associated with the parking lot on New Hampshire Street. Zoning has changed over the years, but the dominant land uses have not always coincided with the designated zoning district. The current zoning does not reflect the primary land use in the environs of single dwellings on individual parcels (most are one lot but some are combined lots or portions of lots).
Circulation Patterns The circulation patterns are the same street grid patterns with alleys running north to south in the center of state named blocks.
Primary Structures Primary structures are predominantly the same. (The church was constructed from 1870 to 1900.)
Secondary Structures Overall, the numbers of secondary structures has been reduced. The dominate material continues to be wood siding with some modern materials to appear as wood siding.
Outdoor Activity Spaces The outdoor activity space of South Park is the same.
Utilities and Mechanical Equipment The character of the utilities and mechanical equipment in the area are different than in the period of construction. The large traffic lights at intersections, public lighting systems, above ground utility lines have a significant impact on the visual quality of the area.
Views The views to and from the listed property are basically the same with the exception of the view from the property to the southwest that now includes the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.
The proposed environs for the Parnham House located at 1028 Rhode Island Street are within the boundaries of the environs for four properties listed as landmarks in the Lawrence Register of Historic Places. The Shalor Eldridge House (945 Rhode Island Street) and the McFarland House (940 Rhode Island Street) were listed in the Lawrence Register in 1994 and have no associated environs definitions. The Old English Lutheran Church (1040 New Hampshire Street) and the William Watts House (946 Connecticut Street) were listed in 2014 and 2015 respectively. These two structures have environs definitions that state the primary focus of review should be maintaining the existing structures and visual appearance of the environs. The Old English Lutheran Church environs definition also includes that the New Hampshire Street area is likely to continue the development patterns established for the commercial areas of downtown. However, the definition also states that the redevelopment of this area should create a transition area between the commercial area and the residential area to the east.
Conclusion
The Environs for 1028 Rhode Island Street, the Parnham House, should be divided into two areas (see attached map) and the following standards applied to each of the 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 only if documentation was provided that indicated that the structure was unsound and/or a certificate of economic hardship was approved.
The proposed alteration or construction should meet the intent of 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. 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 Criteria set forth in 22-505.
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 Criteria set forth in 22-505.
Area 2: The area no longer reflects the residential character of the historic environs. A portion of the area has no structure and is currently utilized as a parking lot. The historic pattern of the church at 1040 New Hampshire Street does not reflect the commercial pattern. It is anticipated with downtown commercial zoning that this area will continue to develop with commercial uses. However, while the area should reflect the development patterns established for the commercial areas of downtown, the area should create a transition area between the commercial area, the residential area, and the listed property.
The proposed alteration or construction should meet the intent of 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. The Old English Lutheran Church should not be considered for demolition unless the structure has been damaged beyond repair.
Minor projects will be approved administratively by the Historic Resources Administrator. The proposed alteration or construction should meet the intent of the Criteria set forth in 22-505.
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 Criteria set forth in 22-505.