Analysis of Environs of the Johnson Block Historic District

Step One

Historical Significance and Context

The Johnson Block was initially platted as the Lane Place Addition on March 14, 1871. The block was developed by prominent local businessman Victor Johnson beginning in 1909 and was almost completely developed by August, 1949. The original plat and the development starting in 1909 continued the street grid and lot patterns already established the city. The platted lots and development pattern also continued the typical size of 50’ X 117’ lots in the city.  The right-of-way established for both Missouri and Arkansas streets was 80’.  All of these patterns exist today.

The district is being nominated under local criterion one and six.  Local criterion one is for character, interest, or value as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the community, county, state, or nation.  Local criterion six is embodiment of elements of design, detailing, materials, or craftsmanship that render it architecturally significant.

The period of significance for the related nomination categories is as follows:

Period of Significance for value as part of the development of Lawrence: 1871 to 1954, the date of the original plat to the construction of the last primary structure in the district.

Period of Significance for Architecture: Architectural Significance is based on a structure’s design and is not limited to a specific period of significance.

The property also maintains sufficient integrity worthy of preservation.

Step Two

Historical Character of the Area Surrounding the Property

Historical character is the primary issued 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  There are elevation changes in the area to the west, but the block is fairly flat.

Property Boundaries and Ownership Patterns  Property boundaries and ownership patterns reflected the proposed development pattern of the plats for the area.  Typically, the platted areas consisted of individual structures on individual lots. 

Land Use Patterns and Zoning  There was no zoning in 1909. By 1966 the property was zoned for multi-family residential use.

Circulation Patterns  The circulation patterns were a continuation of the established city street grid pattern. The development standards for the block included a requirement for concrete sidewalks.

Planned Vegetation Patterns  Planned vegetation patterns were typical for residential area of the historic period. Because the development standards required a front yard of 30’, the front yards presented a cohesive landscape lawn with designed plantings.

Signs and Pedestrian Amenities  There were no documented signs in the area.  Concrete sidewalks were mandatory with the development of a property.

Primary Structures  The structures in the area were one, two, with some two and one-half story structures. The Johnson residence at 845 Missouri Street had a porte-cochere.

Secondary Structures  Secondary structures were typically garages, barns, and sheds.   The majority would have been constructed of wood.  They typically would have been 1 to 2 ½ stories in height. 

Outdoor Activity Spaces  There were no public parks in the immediate area.

Utilities and Mechanical Equipment  The information on the Johnson Block indicates that sewer and water pipes were located in the alley and gas mains were in the front.

Views  The views to the listed property were typical for new subdivisions in the city.

Step Three

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   There are elevation changes in the area to the west, but the block is fairly flat. 

Property Boundaries and Ownership Patterns  Property boundaries and ownership patterns mainly reflect the proposed development pattern of the plats for the area.  Typically, the platted areas consist of individual structures on individual lots.  

Land Use Patterns and Zoning  Land use and zoning in the surrounding area is residential. 

Circulation Patterns   The circulation patterns are historic street grid patterns. Recently a bike lane has been added to 9^th Street.

Planned Vegetation Patterns  The planned vegetation patterns consist of residential lots with yards that include trees and landscaping beds and features. 

Signs and Pedestrian Amenities   There are signs in the area including traffic signs, road name signs, and identification signs. Pedestrian amenities include sidewalks in most of the surrounding area.  Both the Missouri Street and Arkansas Street right-of-way included in the district have sidewalks.

Primary Structures  The structures in the area are one, two, with some two and one-half story structures.

Secondary Structures   Secondary structures are typically garages and storage buildings.  Most are wood frame with wood sheathing.

Outdoor Activity Spaces There are no city parks in the immediate area.  The closest outdoor activity space, other than the property owned by the University of Kansas, is Clinton Park approximately 4/10 of a mile from the district.

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, cable, and telephone lines are both above ground and below ground in the area. 

Views  Views to and from the property are typical for residential areas in the city.  The south end of the block is particularly visible because 9^th Street is a minor arterial for vehicular traffic.

Step Four

Comparison of the Historic and Present Character of the Area Surrounding the Property

Natural Features  The natural features are similar to the historic features. 

Property Boundaries and Ownership Patterns  For the most part, the property boundaries and ownership patterns continue to be individual dwellings on individual lots. Some individual structures are located on a combination of lots or partial lots.

Land Use Patterns and Zoning   The land use has not changed since the development of the area. The city had no zoning when the area was first developed.  Current zoning is consistent with the current use.

Circulation Patterns  Street patterns have not changed. A new bicycle lane has been introduced and the traffic on 9^th Street has significantly increased as development continued to the west.

Primary Structures  Primary structures continue to range in size and style but have not significantly changed since the historic period.

Secondary Structures  The number, placement, and type of secondary structures are similar to the historic period and have not changed significantly.

Outdoor Activity Spaces  There has been no change in the available activity space.

Utilities and Mechanical Equipment  The character of the utilities and mechanical equipment in the area are different than in the historic period.  Public and private lighting systems, additional utility lines including phone, electric, and cable lines have a significant impact on the visual quality of the area.   

Views  Overall, the views remain the same.

Conclusion

The Environs of the Johnson Block Historic District have had minimal change from the historic period.  The characteristic residential patterns of size, scale, massing, materials, setbacks, building orientation, and height have not been altered. The grid street pattern also continues to exist. The primary focus of review is to maintain the residential character and forms of the environs.  The environs will be one area and the following standards should be applied:

            Minor projects (minor additions, porch remodeling, window and door changes, demolition of outbuildings, etc.)  will be approved administratively by the Historic Resources Administrator if the project meets the intent of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and the Criteria set forth in 22-505, 22-506, and 22-506.1. All design elements are important.

            Major projects (major additions, new infill construction, major alterations, roof changes, demolition, etc.,) will 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’s Standards for Rehabilitation and the Criteria set forth in 22-505, 22-506, and 22-506.1. Main structure demolitions should only be approved only if documentation was provided that indicated that the structure was unsound and/or a certificate of economic hardship was approved.