[RiciivEaM3« (3. United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER or HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM

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1 NPS Form (Oct. 1990) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER or HISTORIC PLACES REGISTRATION FORM [RiciivEaM3« INTERAGENCY RESOURCES DIVISION NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 3(3 1. NAME OF PROPERTY HISTORIC NAME: Claremont Apartments OTHER NAME/SITE NUMBER: Phase IV-East Dallas DAL/DA LOCATION STREET & NUMBER: 4636 Ross Avenue CITY OR TOWN: DaUas STATE: Texas CODE: TX COUNTY: DaUas NOT FOR PUBLICATION: N/A VICINITY: N/A CODE: 113 ZIP CODE: STATE/FEDERAL AGENCY CERTIFICATION As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this x nomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property x meetfi does not meet the National Register criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant nationally statewide _x_locally. ( See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Signature of certifyingofficial State Historic Preservation Officer, Texas Historical Commission State or Federal agency and bureau Date In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. ( See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Signature of commenting or other official Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that this property is entered in the National Register _ See continuation sheet, determined eligible for the National Register _ See continuation sheet, determined not eligible for the National Register removed from the National Register other (explain): usignatui gnaturejpf the Keeper Entered in the Date of Action

2 USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form Claremont Apartments, Dallas, DaUas County, Texas Page 2 5. CLASSIFICATION OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY: Private CATEGORY OF PROPERTY: Building NUMBER OF RESOURCES WITHIN PROPERTY: CONTRIBUTING NONCONTRIBUTING 0 BUILDINGS 0 SITES 0 STRUCTURES 0 OBJECTS 1 0 TOTAL NUMBER OF CONTREBUTING RESOURCES PREVIOUSLY LISTED IN THE NATIONAL REGISTER: 0 NAME OF RELATED MULTIPLE PROPERTY LISTING: Historic and Architectural Resources of East and South Dallas, Dallas County, Texas 6. FUNCTION OR USE HISTORIC FUNCTIONS: DOMESTIC: Multiple Dwelling CURRENT FUNCTIONS: DOMESTIC: Multiple Dwelling 7. DESCRIPTION ARCHTTECIURAL CLASSIFICATION: LATE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURY REVIVALS: Mission Revival MATERIALS: FOUNDATION Brick WALLS Brick ROOF OTHER Terra Cotta Wood; Glass NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION (see continuation sheet 7-5).

3 NPS Fom a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number Page RECEIVED FEB 2 2 INJERAGE ES DIVISION Clarr" Histnric an rchitecturai's^i ources of East and South Dallas Dallas Co TX Description The Claremont Apartments BuUding is a 2-story brick multi-fanuly domestic buuding at the northeast comer of Ross Avenue and Grigsby Street. It is a frame btulding with brick walls and a modified rectangular plan. The buuding displays architectural features characteristic of the Mission Revival style, such as a mission parapet and a decorative, redtue, pent roof. The building is located in a mixed neighborhood consisting of both singleand multi-fanuly dweuings, as weu as smau commercial buudings. The Claremont Apartments Building is in good condition with few alterations. The Claremont Apartments BuUding occupies an 85 x 140 foot lot in the Duncan Addition, and faces northwest onto Ross Avenue. The oruy noteworthy landscaping features are the hedges and the weu-maintained front lawn that slopes slightiy toward the street. The buuding footprint is rectangular in shape, with smau extensions at the front comers and 3- sided bay windows on the northeast and southwest elevations. Sanbom maps confirm that the buuding utilizes wood-frame constmction and has brick-veneer walls. A brick mission parapet obscures the roof form, materials and constmction, but the roof is flat with tar and gravel used as covering. The facade has a small 1-story porch with a red tue roof. The main entrance is set within the broad segmental arch of the porch, and all other ground-floor windows, likewise, are set within segmental arches. Second-floor windows, on the other hand, are grouped under flat arches. A red-tile pent roof caps the second floor, and a Mission-style parapet with an inset panel crowns the middle bay. This panel is inscribed with "Claremont," the apartments' name. The side elevations have simuar red tue work.

4 USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form Claremont Apartments, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas Page 3 8. STATEMENT OF SIGNfflCANCE APPUCABLE NATIONAL REGISTER CRTTERIA _ A PROPERTY IS ASSOCIATED WITH EVENTS THAT HAVE MADE A SIGNIHCANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE BROAD PATTERNS OF OUR HISTORY. _ B PROPERTY IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LIVES OF PERSONS SIGNIHCANT IN OUR PAST. _x_ C PROPERTY EMBODIES THE DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF A TYPE, PERIOD, OR METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION OR REPRESENTS THE WORK OF A MASTER, OR POSSESSES HIGH ARTISTIC VALUE, OR REPRESENTS A SIGNinCANT AND DISTINGUISHABLE ENTITY WHOSE COMPONENTS LACK INDIVIDUAL DISTINCTION. _ D PROPERTY HAS YIELDED, OR IS LIKELY TO YIELD, INFORMATION IMPORTANT IN PREHISTORY OR HISTORY. CRTTERIA CONSIDERATIONS: N/A AREAS OF SIGNIFICANCE: Architecture PERIOD OF SIGNIFICANCE: 1924 SIGNIFICANT DATES: 1924 SIGNIFICANT PERSON: N/A CULTURAL AFFILIATION: N/A ARCHITECT/BUILDER: unknown NARRATIVE STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE (see continuation sheets 8-6 through 8-7). 9. MAJOR BIBUOGRAPmC REFERENCES BiBUOGRAPHY (see Section I). PREVIOUS DOCUMENTATION ON FILE (NPS): N/A _ preliminary determination of individual Usting (36 CFR 67) has been requested. _ previously Usted in the National Register _ previously determined eugible by the National Register _ designated a National Historic Landmark _ recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # _ recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # PRIMARY LOCATION OF ADomoNAL DATA: X State historic preservation office (Texas Historical Commission) _ Other state agency _ Federal agency _ Local govemment _ University _ Other ~ Specify Repository:

5 MPS Form a OMB Approval No (8-861 United States Department of the interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Claremont Apartments 8 6 Historic and Architecmral Resources of Section number Page South Dallas - Dallas Co., TX Significance The Claremont Apartments Building at 4636 Ross Avenue is a Mission Revival-style, multi-famuy, domestic building that was constmcted about Exceptionally intact and well-maintained, it is representative of the numerous flats and apartment complexes that developed in East Dallas in the 1920s. A number of apartment buildings on Gaston and Swiss avenues are included in the accompanying East and South Dallas Multiple Property nomination, and one, Viola Courts (4845 Swiss Avenue), has already been Usted in the National Register (1984). Perhaps none so exempufies the Mission Revival style as the Claremont Apartments Building, which is also nominated to the National Register under Criterion C in the area of Architecture at the local level. The Claremont Apartments BuUding is associated with the historic context. The Development of East and South Dallas: Ross Avenue, in East Dallas, was stiu a prestigious thoroughfare of large Classical Revival-style residences built shortiy after the tum of the century when 2- and 3-story apartment buudings began to make their appearance on this and other principal streetcar Unes in the late 1910s and 1920s. In 1922, there were only five residences in the 4600 block of Ross Avenue, but a number of large houses between Peak and Fitzhugh avenues listed several occupants per house in the city directory. The division of large older houses for rooming or boarding arrangements was not only the beginning of a trend away from singlefamuy occupancy in East Dallas, but also the precursor of modem apartment buildings. As famuies moved further into the suburbs, close-in neighborhoods, Uke those in East DaUas, became havens for re-development for multi-famuy use. Apartment buildings were popular for smau families and single residents who used the network of streetcar Unes that crisscrossed the region to commute to work in downtown offices. Modem apartment buudings also appealed to businessmen and wage eamers who did not have thetimeor inclination to maintain a house and yard and who preferred the convenience and efficiency of apartment Ufe. Apartment dweuers also had easy access to shops, theaters, restaurants and other activities afforded by their proximity to the city. Residents of the Claremont Apartments, for instance, were located directiy on one commuter streetcar that fed into the major crosstown lines on Bryan and Peak avenues. At the nearby Bryan-Peak commercial node which developed along with the apartment buildings in the 1920s, area residents coiud enjoy a movie, dine at various restaurants, or go to the Shadowland dance hau. The overall

6 NPS Fonn a (8-861 OMB ApprovalNo United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Claremont Apartments Section number 8 Page 7 Historic and Architectural Resources of East and South Dallas - Dallas Co., TX perception of apartment living, at that time, was one of sophistication, an image reinforced by motion pictures of the era, and the Claremont Apartments, on prestigious Ross Avenue, were particularly stylish and modem. By 1925, there were two major apartment buildings in the 4600 block of Ross Avenue, including the 16-unit Casa Grande and the 4-unit Claremont Apartments BuUding. Single-family residency on the street was waning with several houses vacant or occupied with multiple tenants. Those who resided in the Claremont during its first decade were most likely to be married and employed as business managers. For example, in 1925, the first year the Claremont was Usted in the city directory, tenants included the proprietor of the Rainbow Pharmacy and the manager of The Littie Theater, both at the Bryan-Peak intersection, the manager of a beauty parlor and the manager of the local Studebaker Corporation headquarters. Tenants in 1931, at the beginning of the Great E>epression, included the president of Swan Fumiture Company, the resident-manager of the Claremont Apartments, an agent for TUton and Keeler Manufacturers and the wholesale manager of the Studebaker Corporation. Clearly, the Claremont Apartments housed a weu-to-do clientele. Today, the Mission Revival-style Claremont Apartments Building retains its original design and architectural features to a remarkable degree. The building is in good condition and functions as offices for the Texas Youth Council. The Claremont Apartments BuUding is one of the most outstanding local examples of Mission-influenced apartment design, and is worthy of preservation and recognition. Aldiough many of East Dallas' older and more important thoroughfares have comparably sized multi-family domestic buudings, the Claremont Apartments BuUding is particularly noteworthy because of its high degree of craftsmanship, detauing, and historic integrity. Moreover, the Mission Revival style is an architectural expression that is somewhat rare in this section of Dallas, and the Claremont Apartments BuUding is one of the few multi-family domestic buildings to display this type of omamentation.

7 USDI/NPS NRHP Registration Form Claremont Apartments, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas Page GEOGRAPHICAL DATA ACREAGE OF PROPERTY: less than one acre j'^d^ 1 UTM REFERENCES Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing ## ###### mmif 2 m mm mmit 4 m mmm itmm VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION (See continuation sheet 10-8) BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION Nomination includes au property historically associated with the property. 11. FORM PREPARED BY (with assistancefromdwayne Jones, THC) NAME/TFTLE: Daniel Hardy/Terri Myers ORGANIZATION: Hardy-Heck-Moore DATE: 7/91; 9/94 STREET & NUMBER: 2112 Rio Grande Stt-eet TELEPHONE: (512) CITY OR TOWN: Austin STATE: TX ZIP CODE: ADDmONAL DOCUMENTATION CONTINUATION SHEETS MAPS PHOTOGRAPHS ADOmONAL TTEMS PROPERTY OWNER NAME Wilton O. Davis STREET & NUMBER 9342 Shorevie Road CTTY OR TOWN Dallas TELEPHONE N/A STATE TX Zn» CODE 75238

8 NPS Fom) a OMB Appmval No (o-oo) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Claremont Apartments Section number 10 Page 8 Historic and Architectural Resources of East and South Dallas - Dallas Co., TX VERBAL BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION From a point beginning at the southem intersection of Grigsby and Ross Avenues, proceed southeast along the property line 140 feet. Thence southwest and proceed 85 feet to the side property line. Tuming northwest along the property line, proceed 140 feet to Ross Avenue. Thence northeast and proceed 85 feet to the point of origin.

9 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY NAME: Claremont Apartments MULTIPLE NAME: East and South Dallas MPS STATE Sc COUNTY: TEXAS, Dallas DATE RECEIVED: 2/22/95 DATE OF 16TH DAY: 3/23/95 DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: DATE OF PENDING LIST: 3/07/95 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 4/08/95 REFERENCE NUMBER: NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: N OTHER: N PDIL: N PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N REQUEST: N SAMPLE: N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: N COMMENT WAIVER: N _ACCEPT RETURN ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS REJECT 3/Z3A7<^ATE lentered in the -r^ National Register RECOM./CRITERIA_ REVIEWER DISCIPLINE_ TELEPHONE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N

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12 Please refer to the map in the Multiple Property Cover Sheet for this property Multiple Property Cover Sheet Reference Number: