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United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Van Zandt Cottage, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
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5. Classification Ownership of Property
Private
x Public - Local Public - State Public - Federal
Category of Property
x building(s) district site structure object
Number of Resources within Property
Contributing Noncontributing 1 1 buildings 0 0 sites 0 0 structures 0 2 objects 1 3 total
Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register: 0 6. Function or Use Historic Functions: RECREATION AND CULTURE/ museum Current Functions: RECREATION AND CULTURE/ museum; Work in Progress 7. Description Architectural Classification: Other: Pre-Railroad: Dogtrot or Center Hall Principal Exterior Materials: Wood Narrative Description (see continuation sheets 7-7 through 7-10)
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Van Zandt Cottage, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
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8. Statement of Significance Applicable National Register Criteria x A Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of
our history. B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. 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 values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction.
D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield information important in prehistory or history. Criteria Considerations: N/A Areas of Significance: Conservation Period of Significance: 1936 Significant Dates: 1936 Significant Person (only if criterion b is marked): Cultural Affiliation (only if criterion d is marked): Architect/Builder: Pelich, Joseph R. (architect, 1936 restoration) Narrative Statement of Significance (see continuation sheets 8-11 through 8-29) 9. Major Bibliographic References Bibliography (see continuation sheets 9-30 through 9-31) Previous documentation on file (NPS):
_ preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested. _ previously listed in the National Register _ previously determined eligible by the National Register _ designated a National Historic Landmark _ recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # _ recorded by Historic American Engineering Record #
Primary location of additional data:
x State historic preservation office (Texas Historical Commission, Austin) _ Other state agency _ Federal agency x Local government (Log Cabin Village, Fort Worth Parks and Community Services) _ University _ Other -- Specify Repository:
Historic Resources Survey Number (if assigned): NA
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Van Zandt Cottage, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
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10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property: .67 acres Coordinates (either UTM system or latitude/longitude coordinates) Latitude/Longitude Coordinates Datum if other than WGS84: NA
1. Latitude: Longitude: 2. Latitude: Longitude: 3. Latitude: Longitude: 4. Latitude: Longitude:
UTM References NAD 1927 NAD 1983 Zone: 14
1. Easting:653757 Northing: 3624101 Verbal Boundary Description: (see continuation sheet 10-32) Boundary Justification: (see continuation sheet 10-32) 11. Form Prepared By Name/title: Susan Allen Kline, consultant Organization: Van Zandt Cottage Friends, Inc. Street & number: P.O. Box 470774 City or Town: Fort Worth State: Texas Zip Code: 76147 Email: [email protected] (consultant) Telephone: 817-921-0127 (consultant) Date: May 21, 2012 Additional Documentation Maps (see continuation sheet Map-33 through Map-34) Additional items (see continuation sheets Figure-35 through Figure-44) Photographs (see Page 5)
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Van Zandt Cottage, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
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PhotographsAllphotossharethefollowinginformation.PhotosprintedonHPPremiumPlusPhotoPaperwithHPViveraink.
NameofProperty: VanZandtCottageCityorVicinity: FortWorthCounty,State: TarrantCounty,Texas Photographer: SusanAllenKlineDatePhotographed: March23,2012
PhotographNumber1:Westandfront(south)elevations;camerafacingnortheastPhotographNumber2:Front(south)elevation;camerafacingnorthPhotographNumber3:Eastelevation;camerafacingsouthwestPhotographNumber4:North(rear)andwestelevations;camerafacingsoutheastPhotographNumber5:Westelevation;camerafacingeastPhotographNumber6:Frontofoffice/storagebuilding;camerafacingeast/northeastPhotographNumber7:Interior,bedroom;camerafacingwestPhotographNumber8:Interior,dressingroom(daughters’bedroom),camerafacingeastPhotographNumber9:Interior,breakfast(dining)room;camerafacingnorthPhotographNumber10:Interior,kitchen;camerafacingeastPhotographNumber11:Interior,sittingroom;camerafacingeast/southeastPhotographNumber12:Interior,entrycorridor;camerafacingsouth
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places REGISTRATION FORM NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Van Zandt Cottage, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
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Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C.460 et seq.). Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 100 hours per response including time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the Office of Planning and Performance Management. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, 1849 C. Street, NW, Washington, DC.
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Van Zandt Cottage, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
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NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION TheVanZandtCottageisaone‐story,side‐gabled,six‐roomwood‐framedhousewithship‐lapsiding.Itdatestothemid‐1800sandisproclaimedtobeFortWorth’soldestdwellingstilllocatedatitsoriginallocation.Itshistoricconfigurationrevealsasymmetricalarrangementwithacenterhallandflankingroomscontainingstonefireplacesonthegableendwalls.In1936,afull‐widthporchonthenorthelevationwasenclosedandthewindowaperturesandsouthporchwererestoredtoanapproximationofanearlierappearance.Withtheadditionoffour‐over‐onewindowsandwoodshuttersflankingthem,itwastransformedtoaromanticizedversionofitsformerself.ThehouseislocatedinTrinityParkonthenorthsideofCrestlineRoad,anasphalt‐toppedstreetconnectingtheinterioroftheparktoUniversityDriveandthecity’sCulturalDistrict.Setbeneathagracefulcanopyofmaturetrees,theVanZandtCottageretainsahighdegreeofitshistoricandarchitecturalintegrity.
SettingTheVanZandtCottageislocatedat2900CrestlineRoadinFortWorth’sTrinityPark,oneofthecity’soldest,andamongitslargest,centralcityparks.TheparkislocatedwestofthecentralbusinessdistrictandisborderedontheeastbytheClearForkoftheTrinityRiver.Theparkcontainsapproximately252acresandisknownforitsstandsofnativetrees,duckpond,itsstoneshelterhouseconstructedbytheWorksProgressAdministration(WPA)c.1937,miniaturerailroadandwindingdrives.Itislocatedontheeasternedgeofthecity’sCulturalDistrictwhichishometoworld‐classmuseumssuchastheKimbellArtMuseum(LouisKahn,1969‐1972andanewbuildingdesignedbyRenzoPianoBuildingWorkshopscheduledtoopenin2013),FortWorthModernArtMuseum(TadoAndo,2002),AmonCarterMuseum(PhilipJohnson,1961,1964,1977,2001),aswellasCasaMañanaTheater(A.GeorgeKingandAssociates,1958andGideonToal,2003),WillRogersMemorialAuditorium,WillRogersMemorialColiseum,andWillRogersMemorialPioneerTower(WyattC.HedrickandElmerG.WithersArchitecturalGroup,1936‐37withlateradditions).Borderingtheparktothesouthwestisthe109‐acreFortWorthBotanicGarden,aportionofwhichwaslistedintheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesin2009foritssignificanceasadesignedlandscape.ThenominatedpropertyislocatedonthenorthsideofCrestlineRoad,aneast‐westasphalt‐toppedroadthatconnectstheinteriorofTrinityParkwithUniversityDrive,amajornorth‐southarterialrunningthroughthecenteroftheCulturalDistrict.TheVanZandtCottageissetbeneathacanopyoflargetreeslocatednearthewestsideofthebuilding.Thecottagegroundsaresetofffromthestreetbyuprightlogbollardsandasphalt‐toppedparkingspaces.NorthofthecottageandshieldedfromitbytreesandheavyvegetationisanunnamedroadthatcloselyfollowstheformerlocationofaspuroftheSaintLouis,SanFranciscoandTexas(Frisco)Railroad.Beyondthisroadisalargetractofland.AtitsnorthwestcornerisFarringtonField,aconcretestadiumconstructedin1939bytheWPAfortheFortWorthIndependentSchoolDistrict.Nearthesouthwestcornerofthetractistheschooldistrict’sJackA.BillingsleyFieldHouse.Themajorityoftheopenspacearoundthesetwovenuesispavedforparking.Directlyeastofthecottageisaone‐storyfive‐bayconcreteblockgarageandparkinglotsurroundedbyachainlinkfence.ItisusedbytheFortWorthParksandCommunityServices’AthleticsandOperationsunits.OnthesouthsideofCrestlineRoadisaparkdepartmentmaintenancefacility.
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Van Zandt Cottage, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
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Exterior1TheVanZandtCottageisaone‐story,six‐roomhouseofwoodframeconstruction.Woodshinglescovertheside‐gabledroof.Thewallsaresheathedwithawidewoodship‐lappaintedgray.Four‐over‐onewoodwindows,flankedbywoodshutters,arefoundonallelevations.Thewoodtrimaroundthewindowsanddoors,aswellasthewindows’shutters,doors,andporchcolumns,arepaintedwhite.Thefaçade(southelevation)hasafull‐widthporchwithadroppedroofsupportedbysixsimplewoodposts.Thecentrally‐placedentrancehasabattendoorconstructedofwidewoodplanks.Awood‐framedscreendoorprotectsthebattendoor.Wallendchimneysontheside(eastandwest)elevationsareconstructedofrough‐cut,irregular‐coursedlimestone.Thefoundationisvisibleontheeast,rear,andwestelevations.Itiscomposedofuncoursedlimestoneontheeastelevationandapproximatelytheeasternthirdoftherearelevation.Theremainderofthefoundationontherearandthefoundationonthewestelevationiscomposedofbrick.TheVanZandtCottagehasasymmetricalfaçade.Itsdropped‐roofedporchhasalowpitchandexposedraftertails.Itissupportedbysixsimplewoodposts.Theporchfloorisconstructedoftreatedwoodslats.Thecentrallyplacedentrancefeaturesawooddoorwithwideplanksandtwohorizontalandonediagonalcrossmembersonitsinteriorside.Awood‐framedscreendoorprovidessomeprotection.ImmediatelytotherightofthedoorareawallsconceandamedallionfromtheTexasStateHistoricalSurveyCommittee(thebuildingwasnamedaRecordedTexasHistoricLandmarkin1962).Twofour‐over‐onewoodwindowsflankeithersideoftheentrance.Eachwindowisflankedbywoodshutterscomposedofthreeplankswithhorizontalmembersnearthetopandbottom(seePhotos1and2).Theeastelevationrevealsadualpitchtotherearportionofthesidegabledroof,delineatingthelocationoftheformerporchthatwasenclosedduringthe1936rehabilitationofthebuilding.Theroofhasaveryslightoverhang,asitdoesontherearandwestelevations.Piercingtheridgeofthegableisthewallendchimneyconstructedofirregular‐coursed,rough‐cutlimestone.Northofthechimney(andilluminatingthekitchen)isafour‐over‐onewoodwindowflankedbywoodshutterssimilartothoseonthefaçade.Thelimestonefoundationisvisibleonthiselevation(seePhoto3).Therear(north)elevationhasasymmetricalarrangement.Atitscenterisanentrancewithasix‐paneldoor.Infrontofitisasmallwoodporchaccessedbyfourwoodstepsflankedbywoodrailings.Oneithersideoftheporchisafour‐over‐onewoodwindowflankedbywoodshutters.Totheleft(east)oftheporchisanopeningcoveredbywoodthatprovidesaccesstothecrawlspaceunderthehouse.Totheright(west)oftheporchisadoubledoorscuttlethatprovidesaccesstotherootcellar.Thewallsofthescuttlearebrick(seePhoto4).Liketheeastelevation,thewestelevationrevealsthedualpitchoftheside‐gabledroof.Anirregular‐coursedlimestonewallendchimneypiercestheridgeofthegable.Therearetwowindowslocatedtotheleftofthechimney.Eachisflankedbywoodshutters(seePhotos1,4,and5).InteriorTheinterioroftheVanZandtCottageisdividedintosixrooms(seeFigures2and3).Thethreeroomsatthebackofthehouseareatalowergradethanthefrontthreerooms.Thebackroomsareatthelocationofthefull‐widthporchonthenorthelevationpriortothe1936rehabilitation.Thefloorsthroughoutthehouseareof¾inchpine
1ThephysicaldescriptionsoftheexteriorandinteriorofthecottagearedrawnfromthestudydonebyArtWeinman,
AIA,“ReportontheCurrentConditionoftheVanZandtCottagewithRestorationSuggestions,”(March7,2005)andtheauthor’sobservations.
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Van Zandt Cottage, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
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planksvaryinginwidthfrom6to8inches.Thefloorsinthefrontthreerooms(bedroom,entrycorridor,andsittingroom)arelaidhorizontallyandthefloorsinthebackthreerooms(dressingroom,breakfastroom,andkitchen)arelaidvertically.Boardandbattenceilingsarefoundinthefrontthreerooms.Theceilingsinthebedroomandsittingroomarelaidhorizontally;theceilingintheentryislaidvertically.Crownmoldingwasalsoaddedtothefrontthreeroomsaspartofthe1936work.Theceilingsinthebackroomsareofwoodplankslaidhorizontally.Allinteriorwallsarecoveredwithhorizontalwoodplanks.However,thebedroomandthesittingroomwallsarecoveredwithwallpaper.Theinteriordoorsarefour‐paneledwoodanddatefromthe1936rehabilitation.Steppingthroughthefrontentrance,oneencountersthewideentrycorridor(seePhoto12).Ithasaceilingheightof9½feet.Ontheleft(west)sideofthecorridoristhebedroom.Ithasaceilingheightof9feetand8½inches.Thewallsarecoveredwithwallpaper.Onthewestwallisafireplace.Ithasabrick‐linedfireboxandbrickhearth,limestonesurroundandforehearth,andasimplewoodmantleframingit(seePhoto7).Onthenorthwallofthebedroomistheentrancetothedressingroom.Builtintoitseastwallaretwoclosetswithwoodplankdoorsofvaryingwidths(seePhoto8).Atthenorthendoftheentrycorridoristhebreakfastroom.Ithascornercabinetsofwoodinthenorthwestandnortheastcorners.Eachcabinethasfourdoors—apaironthetopandapaironthebottom.Theupperpairhavecenterpanelsofpunchedtin(seePhoto9).Infrontofthenortheastcabinetistheentrancetothekitchen.Thekitchenhasaclosetbuiltintoitsnortheastcornerandasinkdatingtothe1936rehabilitationinthesoutheastcorner(seePhoto10).Thesittingroomislocatedtotheright(east)oftheentrancecorridor.Ithasaceilingheightof9feetand8½inchesanditswallsarecoveredwithwallpaper.Ontheeastwallisthehouse’ssecondfireplace.Itsconstructionissimilartothatofthefireplaceinthebedroomwithbrickfireboxandhearth,limestoneforehearthandfireplacesurround,andwoodmantle(seePhoto11).Abrick‐walledcellardatingtothe1936rehabilitationislocatedunderthedressingroomandbreakfastroomatthenorthwestcornerofthehouse.Itisaccessiblethroughanexteriorscuttlelocatedonthenorthelevation.Priortotherestorationwork,thisspacewasamorerudimentaryrootstoragecellar.ThecontentsofthehouseareownedbytheCityofFortWorth.Currently,thehouse’sartifactshavebeenplacedinstoragewiththeexceptionofbedroomfurnishingsthatbelongedtotheVanZandtfamilyandmiscellaneousitems.Furnishingsthatremaininthehousearenotarrangedforpublicdisplayandsomeareunderprotectivedrapesinanticipationoffutureworkontheinterior.NoncontributingResourcesOffice/StorageBuilding:LocatedtotheeastoftheVanZandtCottageisasmall,one‐storybuildingconstructedin2002thatcontainsarestroom,anoffice,andasmallroomforcollectionsstorage.Thefaçadeofthebuildingfacessouthwestandfeaturestwodoors(onetotherestroomandonetotheoffice)andawindowbetweenthem.TheL‐shapedbuildinghasboardandbattenwallsandawood‐shingled,cross‐gabledroofwithaslightoverhang.Aflagstonewalkdivergingfromthestonewalktothecottageprovidesaccesstothebuilding.Itiscountedasanoncontributingbuildingbecauseitwasnotpresentduringtheperiodofsignificance(seePhoto6).MajorK.M.VanZandtMarker:Betweenthecottageandtheoffice/storagebuildingisapinkgranitemonumenterectedin1963bytheStateofTexasthathighlightstheCivilWarmilitarycareerofMajorK.M.VanZandt(the
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Van Zandt Cottage, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
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home’sformerowner).Itiscountedasanoncontributingobjectbecauseitwasnotpresentduringtheperiodofsignificance(seePhoto1).DragStoneSouthwestofthehouseneartheparkinglotisalargestonewithaholeinthecenterthatismountedonabaseofirregular‐coursedlimestone.Onthebaseisabronzeplaquewiththefollowinginscription:“1850–1924/ROCKUSEDTOBREAKTHEFIRSTROADS/INFORTWORTH/PRESENTEDBYMRS.BETTYWETMOREMCKEE/ERECTEDBY/FORTWORTHCHAPTERD.A.R.”ItisbelievedthatthisstonewasoriginallydisplayedinHydeParkindowntownFortWorthandwasrelocatedtotheVanZandtCottagegroundsinapproximately1952.Itiscountedasanoncontributingobjectbecauseitwasnotpresentduringtheperiodofsignificance(seePhoto1).Post‐1936AlterationsArchivalevidenceandphysicalinspectionrevealthatthehousehasundergoneroutinerepairs(newroofs,painting,etc.)andstructuralrepairssuchasanewporchandadditionalbracinginthecellar.ArtWeinman’shistoricstructuresreportdemonstratesthatabathroomwasaddedintheearly1950sattherearofthehouse.Itwasremovedin2003‐2004.Figure10suggeststhatthesouthporch’sroofmayhavebeensheathedwithboardandbattenwoodduringthe1936rehabilitation.Byc.1960,theroofoftheporchandthemainbodyofthehousewasreplaced,likelywithanasphaltshingledroof(seeFigure11).Today,bothroofsaresheathedwithwoodshingles.Historicphotosoftherehabilitatedhouseindicatethatthereoncewasahorizontalrailinglocatedbetweeneachoftheoutertwoporchcolumns,perhapstosuggestahitchingrailforhorses.Therailswereremovedin2011whenthewindowswerereplaced.Considerableworkhasbeendonetothecottageandgroundsinthelasttenyears.Theoffice/storagebuildingandaccessiblewalkwayandparkingareaswerecompletedbyMay2002.In2003‐2004,thebathroomattherearofthebuildingwasremovedandrearporchadded,thechimneysandshuttersrepaired,andtheexteriorcleanedandpainted.FollowingtherecommendationsmadebyArthurWeinmaninahistoricstructuresreporthepreparedforthecottagein2005,thefoundationofthehousewasleveledandrepairedin2007.Thisworkincludedtheinstallationofventsinthestoneandbrickportionsofthefoundation.Thefoundationworknecessitatedtheconstructionofanewfrontporch.In2011,thedeterioratedwindowswerereplacedwithunitsthatreplicatedtheconfigurationofthoseinstalledin1936.Moreworkremainstobedoneonthecottageandwillbeundertakenasfundingbecomesavailable.TheproposedworkincludesinstallationofnewelectricalandHVACsystemsandnewperiod‐appropriatewallpaperinthebedroomandsittingroom.TheVanZandtCottageretainsitsintegrityofdesign,materials,workmanship,setting,location,feeling,andassociation.Althoughcertainfeatureshavebeenreplacedovertimeduetodeterioration,thereplicatedfeaturesevokethebuilding’srusticbutcharmingcharacteristicsthatwerecreatedduringits1936restoration.
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Van Zandt Cottage, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
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Statement of Significance TheVanZandtCottageinFortWorth,Texas,iseligibleforlistingintheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesatthelocallevelofsignificanceunderCriterionAintheareaofConservation.Originallyconstructedinthemid‐1800sasapre‐railroad‐eradwellingandformerlyownedbyoneofthecity’smostprominentpioneers,thehousewasrestoredbytheWomen’sDivisionoftheTexas(FortWorth)FrontierCentennialin1936aspartofcommunityeffortstocommemoratethecentennialofTexas’independencefromMexico.Thehousewastransformedfromasimplefrontierdwellingtoaromanticized“cottage.”Althoughnotanexactrestoration,itissignificantasanexampleofanearly,ifnotthefirst,private‐publicpartnershipinFortWorthtopreserveasiteassociatedwiththecity’spast.Theperiodofsignificanceis1936,theyearinwhichtherestorationoccurred.
EarlyHistoryofFortWorthandtheArrivalofKhleberMiller(K.M.)VanZandtLocatedinNorthTexasatthesiteoftheconfluenceoftheClearandWestforksoftheTrinityRiver,FortWorthtracesitsoriginsto1849.OnJune6,MajorRipleyS.Arnoldestablishedacampalongthebanksoftheriver.Thecampwasmovedtothetopofthenorth‐facingblufftwomonthslaterandthenamewaschangedfromCampWorthtoFortWorthonNovember14,1849.Thearmy’soccupancywasshort‐livedasthetroopsmovedfurtherwestin1853.Theciviliansettlementaroundthefortremained.EagerboosterswantedthecountyseatforTarrantCountymovedfromBirdvilletoFortWorthandaspecialelectionwasheldin1856.FortWorthwontheelectionbyasmallmargin.Afteraprotractedstrugglebetweenthetwotowns,anotherelectionwasheldin1860inwhichFortWorthwasdeclaredthewinner.2TheCivilWarbroughteconomicdeclinetoTarrantCountyandFortWorthasbothsufferedtheeffectsofinflationandpopulationloss.Followingthewar,newsettlersarrivedandhelpedtoestablishFortWorthasacattlemarketandindustrialandmanufacturinghubinNorthTexas.AmongthenewimmigrantswasMajorKhleberMiller(K.M.)VanZandt.VanZandtwasbornnearSalem,FranklinCounty,Tennessee,onNovember7,1836,toIsaacandFrancesCooke(Lipscomb)VanZandt.ThefamilysettledinElysianFields,PanolaCounty,Texas,in1838andthenmovedtoHarrisonCounty,Texas,in1839.IsaacVanZandtwasappointedasTexas’chargéd'affairestotheUnitedStatesandmovedtoWashington,D.C.in1842wherehecampaignedfortheannexationofTexasintotheUnitedStates.Hisfamilyfollowedhimtherein1843wheretheyliveduntil1844.K.M.laterattendedMarshallUniversityinMarshall,Texas,andthenenrolledinFranklinCollegenearNashville,Tennessee.Followingcollege,K.M.heldvariousjobs,includingworkinginadrygoodsstoreinMarshallandthensecuringdeedsforright‐of‐wayfortheVicksburg,ShreveportandTexasRailwayCompanyinLouisiana.AfterreturningtoMarshall,hewasadmittedtothebarin1858andpracticedlawinthatcity.3
2JanetSchmelzer,“FORTWORTH,TX,”HandbookofTexasOnline(http://www.tshaonline/articles/hdf01),accessed
June16,2011.PublishedbytheTexasStateHistoricalAssociation;W.KellonHightower,“TARRANTCOUNTY,TX,”HandbookofTexasOnline(http://www.tshaonlin.org/handbook/online/articles/hct01),accessedMarch6,2012.PublishedbytheTexasStateHistoricalAssociation.ThecampandsubsequentfortwerenamedinhonorofGeneralWilliamJenkinsWorthwhohaddiedinSanAntonioinMay1849.
3Ibid;IsaacVanZandt(1813‐1847)isconsideredbymanytobethefounderofMarshall.FollowinghisreturnfromWashington,hecampaignedforgovernorofTexasin1847butbecameillwithyellowfeveranddiedonOctober11.SeeJohnB.Wilder,“VANZANDT,ISAAC,”HandbookofTexasOnline(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fva12),accessedMarch7,2012.PublishedbytheTexasStateHistoricalAssociation;PatriciaP,Kinkade,“VANZANDT,KHLEBERMILLER,”HandbookofTexasOnline(http://www.tsahaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fva13),accessedDecember7,2011.PublishedbytheTexasStateHistoricalAssociation.
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FollowingtheoutbreakoftheCivilWar,VanZandthelpedorganizeCompanyD,SeventhTexasInfantry.Servingascaptainofthecompany,heengagedinactioninTennesseeandMississippi.HebecameaprisonerofwarwiththecaptureofFortDonelsoninTennesseeandwaspartofaprisonerexchangein1862.In1863hewaspromotedtotherankofmajorinGeneralHiramB.Granbury’sBrigade.AmongthebattlesinwhichVanZandtparticipatedwereMissionaryRidgeandFranklin,Tennessee.In1864,hereceivedacertificateofdisability.4Afterthewar,VanZandtleftMarshallbecauseofthe“manycarpetbaggersandundesirables”whocametoEastTexasduringtheearlyyearsofReconstruction.AccordingtoVanZandt’sautobiography,hehadachildhoodambitiontomovetoWestTexas.HeeventuallyreachedFortWorthinAugust1865.InVanZandt’sview,thetown“presentedasadandgloomypicture,”asthestonecourthousebegunin1860stoodpartiallycompleted,thefort’sformerofficers’quartersweredeserted,andcommercialestablishmentsaroundthetownsquareweredepletedofstockandtheirdoorslocked.ButVanZandtwasdeterminedtostayandashistorianshavenoted,hisarrivalandthatofotherex‐Confederateswasafortuitousmomentinthecity’searlydevelopment.5Althoughtrainedasalawyer,VanZandtdidnotpracticelawinFortWorth.Hefirstengagedinthedrygoodsbusiness.Hissuccessallowedhimtodevelopotherbusinessinterests,includingtheTarrantCountyConstructionCompany.Organizedin1875,thecompanybuilttheroadbedfortheTexasandPacificRailwaybetweenDallasandFortWorth,whichwascompletedin1876.Alongwiththreeotherbusinessmen,hefoundedaprivatebank,Tidball,VanZandtandCompany,with$30,000capitalstock.ItlaterbecametheFortWorthNationalBank.OtherbusinessinstitutionswithwhichheplayedasignificantroleincludedtheK.M.VanZandtLandCompany(president),FortWorthLifeInsuranceCompany(director),andthetown’sfirstnewspaper,theFortWorthDemocrat(co‐founder).Hewascreditedwithbringingthefirstpostofficetothecity,buildingoneofthestate’sfirststreetcarsystems,andbringingseveralrailroadstotown.Heservedinthestate’sThirteenthLegislaturefrom1873‐74asarepresentativeoftheTwenty‐firstDistrict.OtherorganizationswithwhichhewasaffiliatedincludedFortWorth’sFirstChristianChurch(servingasadirectorfrom1877untilhisdeathin1930)andtheUnitedConfederateVeterans.Ofthelatter,hewasinstrumentalinitsformationandservedasitscommander‐in‐chieffrom1918‐1921.HealsoservedontheFortWorthschoolandparkboards.6VanZandtwasmarriedthreetimesandhadfourteenchildrenwhosurvivedtoadulthood.Hemarriedhisfirstwife,MinervaPeete,onApril9,1857.AfterMinerva’sdeath,hemarriedhersister,MattiePeete,onJuly22,1869.AfterthedeathofMattie,hemarriedOctaviaPendletononOctober8,1885.ShesurvivedVanZandtanddiedin1947.7Withtheencouragementofhisdaughter,AliceVanZandtWilliamsofWashington,D.C.,MajorVanZandtbegandictatinghisautobiographyinthesummerof1929.Afterspendingthemorningatthebank,VanZandtwouldreturnhomeatnoonforlunchfollowedbyanap.Afterhisnapandwiththepromptingofquestionsfromhisdaughter,hewouldtellhisstorytoasecretaryfromhisbank.Thenotesweretranscribedthefollowingmorningandcheckedforaccuracy.Theresultsofthiseffortleadtoa200‐pagemanuscriptarrangedinchronologicalorderwhichMrs.WilliamscarriedbacktoWashingtonattheendofthesummer.Themanuscriptwaslatereditedby
4Kinkade,“VANZANDT,KHLEBERMILLER;”“VanZandt,MajorK.M.,”MarkerNumber2524,Atlas,TexasHistoricalCommission(http://atlas.thc.state.tx.us/viewform.asp?atlas_num=5439002524...)accessedMarch26,2012.
5SandraL.Myres,editor,ForceWithoutFanfare:TheAutobiographyofK.M.VanZandt(FortWorth,Texas:TexasChristianUniversityPress,1968;secondprinting1995),pp.111‐113.SeeMyres’annotationonpages113‐114whereshereferencesthecreditthattwohistoriansgivetoVanZandtandhisfellowex‐Confederatesforturningaroundthefortunesofthecity.
6Myres,ForceWithoutFanfare:TheAutobiographyofK.M.VanZandt,p.145;Kinkade,“VANZANDT,KHLEBERMILLER.”
7Kinkade,“VANZANDT,KHLEBERMILLER;”“OctaviaPendleton,”(http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~unionmc/bowhunt/1994.htm)accessedMarch27,2012.
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SandraL.Myresandpublishedin1968.Init,MajorVanZandtrelatedthisstoryabouthisacquisitionoftheproperty,whichhereferredtoas“thefarm,”onwhichtheVanZandtCottageislocated:
[AshorttimebeforeSisterIdaandMr.JarvismovedtoFortWorth,IpurchasedalargefarmattheedgeofFortWorth.Itcameaboutinthisway.]Intheearly1860’samanbythenameofScogginmovedtoFortWorthfromHarrisonCounty.Heleftowingmoneytoagreatmanypeople,includingmymother.AfewyearsafterImovedtoFortWorth,IlearnedthatMr.ScogginwaslivinginBrazosCounty;buthepurchasedafarmnearFortWorthandputthetitleinhiswife’sname.IcommunicatedthisinformationtothepartiesinMarshalltowhomheowedmoney,andmymothersenthernotesayingIcouldhavethemoneyifIcouldcollectit.Ihadasuitbrought,andasaresultthecourtorderedtheScogginpropertysoldatauction.Whenthesalewasheld,Iboughtthefarm.Mrs.Scoggin’sattorney,JudgeFerris,broughtsuittocontestthesale,butbeforethetimeforthetrialhecametotalkthematteroverwithme.Hesaidtome,“Youdidnotpaymuchforthisland,andIthinkyououghttopayMrs.Scogginsomething.”Isaid,“Judge,Iwanttodotherightthing.Whatdoyouthinkwouldbefair?”“Well,”hesaid,“ifyouwillpayMrs.Scoggin$1,500,shewillgiveyouaquit‐claimdeed.”Ididnothave$1,500atthetime,butsheacceptedmynoteforthatamount.Duetoabitofgoodfortune,Iwasabletopaythenoteinaveryshorttime.”8
Accordingtohisautobiography,VanZandttookoutthenotein1871andpaiditoffinshortorderaftersellingfamilypropertyinJefferson,Texas.9DeedandabstractrecordsprovidemoredetailregardingthechainoftitletothelandonwhichtheVanZandtCottageislocated.In1856,apatentwasissuedtoJosiahM.C.Lynchfor320acresthatstraddledbothsidesoftheClearForkoftheTrinityRiver.Between1856and1866,thepropertypassedthroughatleastfourdifferentownersandwasenlargedwiththepurchaseof160acresoftheJohnP.MontgomerySurvey.In1866,A.G.ScogginpurchasedtheLynchSurveyandthe160acresoftheMontgomerySurveyfromJ.Samuels.Thesheriff’sdeedthroughwhichK.M.VanZandtpurchasedthetractswasdatedSeptember20,1869.ThedecreeoftheDistrictCourtinwhichitwasrecordedthatVanZandtpaidSarahScoggins$750andexecutedanotefor$750payabletoherwasdatedMarch22,1871.10
8Myres,ForceWithoutFanfare:TheAutobiographyofK.M.VanZandt,p.122.Foryearsafterherfather’sdeathin
1930,AliceVanZandtWilliamscontinuedtogatherinformationfromfamilymembers,archivesandgovernmentdocuments.InNovember1963,sheapproachedSandraMyresfromtheUniversityofTexasatArlingtonaboutwritingabiographyofherfather.ThedecisionwasmadetohaveVanZandt’sstorytoldthroughhiswordswiththeadditionofmaterialfromlettersandotherdocuments,annotationandfootnotes.Thename“Scoggin”wasalsowrittenas“Scoggins”insomedocuments.
9Myres,ForceWithoutFanfare:TheAutobiographyofK.M.VanZandt,p.123.10TexasGeneralLandOfficeLandGrantSearch,Lynch,JosiahM.C.,OriginalGrantee,PatentDate17April1856,Patent
Number1105,PatentVolume12,Certificate241(http://www.glo.texas.gov/cf/land‐grant‐search/LandGrantsWorklist.cfm)accessedMarch7,2012;AbstractofTitlefor13.99acresoftheJ.M.C.LynchSurvey,FortWorthandTarrantCountyAbstractCompany,photocopiesavailableatLogCabinVillage,FortWorthParksandCommunityServices,FortWorth,Texas.TheTarrantCountyCourthouseburnedin1876.Originaldeedinstrumentsbeforethatdatewererecreatedthroughtheuseofabstractrecords,deedsinthepossessionofindividualsandswornaffidavits.
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TheVanZandtCottagebeforetheTexasFrontierCentennialRichardLipscombVanZandt,K.M.VanZandt’sson,recordedhisrecollectionsofthefamily’slifeonthe“farm”inalettertohisdaughter,BarbaraJean,datedNovember10,1932.RichardwasbornonDecember1,1871inthefamily’sresidenceatThirdandHoustonStreetindowntownFortWorth.AccordingtoRichard,whenhewassixweeksold,thefamilymovedtothefarm,which,underthisscenario,wouldplacethebeginningofthefamily’soccupationinearly1872.Thedwelling,presumedtohavebeenbuiltbyaprioroccupant,wassituated“inagroveofliveoaktrees”andcontainedfourroomswith“twooneachsideofthehall.”Alsoonthepropertywasasmall,oneroomhousewherehismother’sparentslived.K.M.andhiswife,Mattie,livedin“thebighouse”withfivechildren.Twochildren,IsaacandAnnie,werelaterborninthehouse.11Asthehousewaslocatedalongastageroad,RichardVanZandtreportedseeinglongwagontrainsladenwithbuffalohidesaswellassoldiersfrequentlypassingby,who,accordingtohisrecollection,were“goingtoorreturningfromfightswithIndianswhowerequiteamenaceinthosedays.”Hestatedthatthesoldiers“alwayscampedacrosstheroadfromourhousebecausewehadsuchagoodwellofwaterwhichtheycoulduse.”12Inhisautobiography,MajorVanZandtalsosharedsomerecollectionsofhislifewhilelivingonthefarm.Hewouldrideahorseintotowneverydayandbecausetherewasnobridge,hewouldfordtheriveratshallowspots.Oncewhentheriverwastoodeeptocrosssafelyafteraheavyrain,hewaspresentedwithadilemma,asonlyheandhispartner,ThomasA.Tidball,hadacombinationtothebank’ssafeandMr.Tidballwasoutoftown.SoVanZandtwrotethecombinationonapieceofpaper,tieditaroundarockandthrewitacrosstherivertoMajorJ.J.Jarvis,oneofhisbusinesspartners,whowaswaitingontheotherside.13Asthefamilyexpanded,thelittlefarmhousebecameincreasinglyinadequatetocomfortablyaccommodateitsneeds.Bythelate1870s,VanZandthadconstructedalargetwo‐storybrickhouseatthecornerofWestSeventhandPennStreets.ThenewhousewasindicativeofVanZandt’sgrowingstatuswithinthecommunityandastarkcontrasttothelittlefarmhouseacrosstheriver.14Arecentlydiscoveredphotograph,possiblytakenc.1910‐1920,shedslightontheappearanceofthefarmhouse’ssouthernelevation.Duringthistime,thefamilystillownedthelandandleasedouttheproperty.Thehousehadawoodshingledgabled‐roofoveritsmainbody.Anearlyfull‐widthdropped‐roofedporchwasattachedjustbelowtheeavesofthemainroof.Itappearsthatthisroofwascoveredwithboardandbattenwoodandsupportedbyatleastsixsimplecolumns.Thewoodporchfloorwasatgradelevel.Thecentralentrancewasflankedoneithersidebytwoelongatedwindows.Theeastchimneystackisvisibleandappearstobeconstructedofbrick,suggestingthatrepairshadbeenmadetoitsincebrickwasnotreadilyavailableintheareaatthetimethehousewasconstructed.Aportionofthewestchimneystackappearsattheleftedgeofthephotographbutthereisnotenoughdetailtodetermineitscomposition(seeFigure5).15
11Typedtranscriptionof(partial)letterfromR.L.VanZandt,tohisdaughter,BarbaraJean,datedNovember10,
1932,asfoundinArthurW.Weinman,AIA,“ReportontheCurrentConditionoftheVanZandtCottagewithRestorationSuggestions,”(March7,2005),n.p.InanaffidavitexecutedbyK.M.VanZandtonMay14,1904,hestatedthathemovedtothepropertyinDecember1871andthatheandhisfamilylivedthere“agreatmanyyears.”SeeAbstractofTitlefor13.99acresoftheJ.M.C.LynchSurvey,FortWorthandTarrantCountyAbstractCompany,p.66.
12R.L.VanZandttoBarbaraJean,November10,1932.13Myres,ForceWithoutFanfare:TheAutobiographyofK.M.VanZandt,p.147.14AphotographofthehouseatWestSeventhandPennstreets,c.1879appearsinVanZandt’sautobiography.See
Myres,ForceWithoutFanfare:TheAutobiographyofK.M.VanZandt,n.p.15ThisphotographisownedbyPenCranz,FortWorth,Texas.
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Asshowninnewspaperphotographstakenjustpriortotherestorationworkin1936,thehousewasinastateofdisrepairandhadundergonesomealterations.Onephotographisoftheeastandnorthelevations.Thephoto’scaptionstatedthatthefrontofthehousefacednorth.Thenorthelevationhadafulllengthporchsupportedbypostsofvariouswidths.Theceilingoftheporchwascomposedofwideplankswhich,alongwiththeroofabove,weresagging.Althoughdetailsofthephotographaredifficulttodetermine,itdepictsoneentrancefromtheporchtothewesternportionofthehouse.Theremayhavebeenanopeningatthecenteroftheelevationwhichwouldhaveprovidedaccesstothehallortheoriginal“dogtrot.”Thesaggingwoodporchfloorwassupportedbypiersofstackedstoneandaccessedbyaflightofwoodstairs.Theeastelevationrevealsthedualpitchofthegableroofwiththegableextensionovertheporchhavingalowerpitchthanthemainroof.Thewoodsidingonthiselevationisofvariouswidths,especiallyatthesoutheastcorner.Thebaseofthechimneyisofroughcutstoneanditsstackisofbrick.Thestackappearstobeseparatingfromthewall.Aventorotherrectangularopeningislocatedtotherightofthechimneystack(seeFigure8).Aphotographoftheinteriordepictsoneofthefireplacesashavingabricksurroundandremnantsofawoodmantel.Surroundingthefireplaceisapatchworkofmaterial,possiblycardboardtackedtothewallforaddedinsulation(seeFigure9).16Inaphotographofthesouthernelevation,itappearsthatthreewindowopeningsonthefaçadehadbeenshortenedbyinfillingtheupperportionwithwoodsiding.Thewindowjusttotheleftoftheentrancehadbeenremovedandtheopeningcoveredwithwoodsiding.Thisphotoalsorevealedthatthechimneyontheeastelevationwaspullingawayfromthewallandthelowersouthcornerofthatelevationhadpossiblybeenpatchedwithwoodsidingofdifferentwidths.Thefullporchhadbeenremovedandwasreplacedwithasmalldropped‐roofporchdirectlyovertheentrance.Beforethediscoveryofthec.1910‐1920photographofthesouthernelevation,itwasthoughtthatthatthissmallerporchroofwasoriginaltothehouseandthatthe1936restorationhadtakenlibertieswiththehouse’sappearancebyreplacingitwithafull‐widthporch.Butastheearlierphotographreveals,the1936porchwasacloseapproximationtothehouse’shistoricappearance.17ThehistoricalevidenceindicatesthattheVanZandtCottagewasconstructedbetween1856,theyearJosiahM.C.Lynchreceivedthepatenttothe320‐acresurveythatbearshisname,and1869whenVanZandtfirstpurchasedthepropertythroughasheriff’ssaleandbeforethearrivalofFortWorth’sfirstrailroadin1876.Becauseofthehouse’scentralcorridorwithroomsoneitherside,somehavespeculatedthatitwasconstructedasa“dogtrot”cabinwiththecorridorformerlyservingasapassagewaybetweentwopens.18ThiswasacommonbuildingtypeinNorthTexasinthedaysbeforetherailroad.Thefactthatthehousewasnotconstructedoflogs—aswastheoriginalfortandmanyofthepioneers’firsthomesinthearea—makesitatypicalforitstimeandlocation.AsnotedinArthurWeinman’s2005studyofthehouse,itwasconstructedof“mortisedtimberframingwitharaisedwoodframedfloor.”Inaddition,suchconstructionwouldrequireanexceptionallyadeptcarpenterwithspecializedtools.WeinmannotesthatsimilarlyconstructedhousesfromthisperiodcouldbefoundinEastTexasandmoreurbanizedcitiessuchasGalveston,SanAntonio,andAustin.19Anotherdebatethatcontinuesisoverwhichelevationwasthehistoricfrontofthehouse.ItisknownthattheoldWeatherfordRoadpassedthecabinbutitslocationhasnotbeenconfirmed.Weinman’sstudyfrom2005supportsthepositionthatthefrontofthehousewasonthenorthelevationbasedontheassumptionthattheFrisco
16“WomentoPreserveThisLandmark,”FortWorthStar‐Telegram,April26,1936.17FortWorthPress,July15,1936.18SeeWeinman,“ReportontheCurrentConditionoftheVanZandtCottagewithRestorationSuggestions,”n.p.,and
CarolRoark,FortWorth’sLegendaryLandmarks(FortWorth:TexasChristianUniversityPress,1995),p.2.19Weinman,“ReportontheCurrentConditionoftheVanZandtCottagewithRestorationSuggestions,”n.p.
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Railroad’sspurtothenorthfollowedtheoldroad,takingadvantageofitsexistinggrade.Accordingtostreetmapsofthe1920s,thespurwasbuiltbetween1925and1929whichmightmakethisscenarioproblematic.20Othershaveassumedthatthefrontofthehousewasthesouthelevation.21Ifthiswasthecase,thentheWeatherfordRoadmighthavebeeninthevicinityofthecurrentCrestlineRoad.InherhistoryoftheJuliaJacksonChapter#141,UnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy,DoraDavenportJonesstatedthattheremnantsofthefoundationofatwo‐roomoutbuilding(perhapsthesamebuildingmentionedinRichardVanZandt’sletterfrom1932)werelocatednortheastofthecottage.22Asoutbuildingswerefrequentlylocatedbehindahouse,thiscouldprovideanotherargumentforthefrontofthehousefacingsouth.Newspaperarticlesfrom1936regardingthehouseanditsrestorationfrequentlycitedthedateofitsconstructionas1871andassumedthattheK.M.VanZandtfamilywasitsoriginaloccupants.Onearticlealsoreferredtoitasa“logcabin.”Theword“cottage,”bywhichitisbestknowntoday,wasappendedtoitsnameinlateryears.WithitsperceivedoriginsrootedinFortWorth’sfrontierhistoryanditsassociationwiththestate’sConfederatepast,the1936restorationoftheVanZandtCottagewasareflectionofadesiretopreserveandcelebratethatduallegacy.23CommemoratingtheTexasCentennialTheyear1936markedtheonehundredthanniversaryofTexas’independencefromMexico.Theideaofcelebratingthecentennialwasproposedasearlyas1900.Itcontinuedtobediscussedinthe1920sandearly1930s.Aconstitutionalamendmentauthorizingacentennialcelebrationwasproposedin1932.TheamendmentpassedandapermanentTexasCentennialCommissionwascreatedin1934.ThecitiesofDallas,SanAntonio,andHoustonviedforthechancetohostastatewideexposition.Dallas,havingtheleastassociationwiththeTexasRevolution,wontherighttohosttheeventbyofferingthelargestcashcommitment,asuitableplacetohosttheexposition(thefacilitiesattheStateFairofTexas),andtheunifiedsupportofcityleaders.24AlthoughDallaswontherighttohosttheofficialexposition,thateventwasbynomeansTexas’onlyobservanceofthismilestoneinthestate’shistory.TheTexasLegislatureappropriatedthreemilliondollarsoutoftheGeneralRevenueFundforvariouscentennial‐relatedprojects.Itcreatedanofficialbodychargedwithapprovingcentennialcelebrationsandallocatingfundsforthosecelebrations.Thatbody,theCommissionofControlfortheTexasCentennialCelebrations[hereafterreferredtoasCommissionofControl],wascreatedbyanactoftheForty‐fourthLegislatureinregularsessiononMay8,1935.ByanopinionoftheAttorneyGeneral,theactwastoterminateonMay8,1937.TheForty‐fifthLegislatureextendedthelifeofthecommissionuntilDecember31,1938,becausesomeprojectshadnotbeencompletedbytheoriginalterminationdate.25
20Ibid.21Roark,FortWorth’sLegendaryLandmarks,p.2.22DoraDavenportJones,“HistoryoftheJuliaJacksonChapter#141,UnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy,Fort
Worth,,Texas,1897‐1976(FortWorth:Kwik‐KopyPrintingCenter,1976),p.73.Althoughathorougharcheologicalinvestigationofthesitehasnotbeenconducted,aninvestigationconductedin2002didnotrevealthelocationoftheoutbuilding’sfoundation.KelliPickard,telephoneconversationwithSusanAllenKline,March30,2012.
23Forexample,see“MuseumCosttobeStudied,”FortWorthStar‐Telegram,April14,1936(morningedition)and“PioneerHomeDedicatedatPark,”FortWorthStar‐Telegram,July20,1936(eveningedition),AR406‐7‐184‐30.
24“TexasCentennial,”HandbookofTexasOnline(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/articles/lkt01),accessedFebruary12,2012.PublishedbytheTexasStateHistoricalAssociation.
25Texas,CommissionofControlforTexasCentennialCelebrations,HaroldL.Schoen,compiler,MonumentsErectedbytheStateofTexastoCommemoratetheCentenaryofTexasIndependence(Austin,Texas:CommissionofControlforTexasCentennialCelebrations,1938),p.9.
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ThroughacombinationoffundsappropriatedthroughtheCommissionofControl,thePublicWorksAdministration(PWA),theWPA,theU.S.TexasCentennialCommission,theStateHighwayDepartment,andothersources,approximatelyelevenhundredcentennialprojectswerecompletedacrossthestate.ThefundingcouldbeusedforprojectsthatcommemoratedearlyTexaspatriots,sitesofhistoriceventsorforthepurchaseof“suitabletractsoflandwherenecessaryforanapprovedcelebration”aswellas“thestagingofpageantsatappropriateplaces...[orforan]expositionintherecognitionofthebasicindustriesandtheirhistoricalsignificanceintheprogressandgrowthofTexas.”26Historicalmarkerswerethemostnumerousandwidespreadofalloftheprojects.Othersprojectsincludedtheconstructionofexpositionandmemorial(museum)buildingsinDallas,FortWorth(theCasaMañanaTheaterandtheWillRogerscomplexattheFortWorthFrontierCentennial),ElPaso,Canyon,Austin,Huntsville,CorpusChristi,Lubbock,Alpine,SanAntonio,andGonzales.CommunityCenterswereconstructedinCrockett,GoliadStatePark,SanAntonio,andTyler.Othercommemorativeprojectsincludedmonuments,statues,andparkimprovementsthroughoutthestate.27CommissionofControlfundscouldalsobeusedfor“therestoringofallorpartsofoldhouses,forts,IndianVillages,andotheroldstructuresconnectedwiththehistoryoftheterritorynowembracedwithintheStateofTexas.”ProjectswhichreceivedfundsforrestorationorreconstructionincludedFortInglish,Bonham(replica);theAlamo,SanAntonio(purchaseoflandandrestoration);FortBelknap,Newcastle(reconstruction);FortConcho,SanAngelo(restoration);RealPresidoDeSanSaba,Menard(acquisitionandrestoration);FortParker,LimestoneCounty(replica);CampColorado,Coleman(replica);MirabeauB.LamarHouse,Paris(miniaturereplica);CollinMcKinneyHome(movedandrepaired);SamHoustonSteamboatHouse(movedandrepaired);FinisC.WillsCabin,WillsPoint(replica);OldStoneFort,Nacogdoches(reconstructed);VeransKirche,Fredericksburg(reproduction);FortRichardson,Jacksboro(repair);FortGraham,FortGrahamPark(reconstruction);andSanJoseMission,SanAntonio(restorationandconstructionofsunkengardenandamphitheater).AlthoughCommissionofControlfundswerenotusedfortherestorationoftheVanZandtCottage,theseprojectsattesttothewide‐spreadsupportforpreservinghistoricsitesassociatedwiththestate’spastaspartofcentennialcelebrations.28TexasCentennialCelebrationinFortWorth:TheTexas[FortWorth]FrontierCentennialAmonG.Carter,publisheroftheFortWorthStar‐Telegramandarguablythecity’sbiggestbooster,wasnotpleasedthatDallas,withnotiestotheeventsof1836,waschosenasthelocationofthestate’scentennialcelebration.Carter’srivalrywithDallaswaslegendaryandheandagroupofbusinessmenweredeterminedthatFortWorthshouldreapsomebenefitsfromthecelebration.Theyenvisionedacelebrationthatwould“presentanauthenticpictureoffrontierlifeasitwaslivedunderthesixflagsthathavefloatedoverTexassoil.”29FirstbilledastheTexasFrontierCentennial,itwasalsocommonlycalledtheFortWorthFrontierCentennial.AshistorianJacobW.Olmsteaddiscussesinhisdissertation“FromOldSouthtoModernWest:FortWorth’sCelebrationoftheTexasStateCentennialandtheShapingofanUrbanIdentityandImage,”thequestforauthenticitywouldtakeabackseattothedesiretoattractalargepatronagethroughanemphasisontheentertainmentvalueoftheevent.Oneoften‐
26Ibid.;TexasHistoricalCommission,“1936TexasCentennialMarkers,”
(http://www.thc.state.tx.us/markerdesigs/madcent.shtml),accessedFebruary14,2012.27Formoreinformation,seeSchoen,compiler,MonumentsErectedbytheStateofTexastoCommemoratethe
CentenaryofTexasIndependence.28Schoen,compiler,MonumentsErectedbytheStateofTexastoCommemoratetheCentenaryofTexasIndependence,
pp.9,and39‐54.29P.J.R.MacIntosh,“FortWorthFrontierCentennial,”TheTexasWeekly,April11,1936,p.6.
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quotedsloganusedinpromotionalliteraturefortheFrontierCentennialwas“GoElsewhereforEducation:CometoFortWorthforEntertainment.”30TheFortWorthcentennialcelebrationwaslargelyfinancedthroughabondissueandprivatesubscription,althoughsomefederalfundingwasawardedinNovember1935.Followingthepassageofthebondissue,theCityCouncilapprovedthepurchaseof138acresfromtheVanZandtLandCompany.ThisparcelwaslocatedwestoftheClearForkandadjacenttoTrinityPark.WithinthesoutheastcornerofthetractwasK.M.VanZandt’sformerhome.31ToassuretheFrontierCentennial’ssuccess,organizershiredmastershowmanBillyRosefromNewYorkassupervisingdirector.LocalarchitectJosephR.Pelichwashiredasthesupervisingarchitect.TemporarybuildingswereconstructedalonganM‐shapedmidwaywiththeentrancebuilttoresembleastockadeatafrontierfort.Themidwayincluded“SunsetTrail”setwithin“frontier”erabuildingsincludingachurch,generalstore,liverystablesandareplicatraindepotthathousedtheWestTexasChamberofCommerce,“Jumbo”(acircusarena),“CasaMañana”(anoutdoordinnertheaterwithrevolvingstage),“PioneerPalace”(wherepatronscouldgrababitetoeatandwatchburlesqueshows),and“TheLastFrontier”(whereonecouldwatchIndiansonhorsebackattackastagecoach).AbigdrawwasexoticdancerSallyRandandher“NudeRanch.”Alsoconstructedinconjunctionwiththecentennialcelebration,butcompletedafteritsclosure,weretheWillRogersMemorialColiseum,PioneerTower,andAuditorium.DesignedbythefirmsofWyattC.Hedrick,Architect‐Engineers,andElmerG.WithersArchitecturalCompany,thesebuildingswerelocatednorthofthemaincentennialgrounds.Unlikethetemporarynatureofthosealongthemidway,thebuildingsoftheWillRogerscomplexhaveproventobeofpermanentvaluetothecityandremainbelovedlocallandmarks.32Women’sDivisionoftheTexasFrontierCentennialJacobW.Olmstead’sdissertation“FromOldSouthtoModernWest:FortWorth’sCelebrationoftheTexasStateCentennialandtheShapingofanUrbanIdentityandImage,”alsonotesthatunlikeotherexpositionsoftheera,womeninFortWorthweregivenapublicroleintheplanningforandstagingofthecentennialcelebration.InearlyJanuary1936,theFortWorthWoman’sCluboffereditssupporttotheFrontierCentennial’sBoardofControlthroughtheadoptionofaresolution.Inadditiontopromotingculturalendeavors,theWoman’sClubhadplayedaroleinthepromotionofcivicaffairsandpoliticalreformsinceitsfoundingin1923.OnJanuary24,theBoardofControlrequestedacommitteeofeightwomentoorganizeaWomen’sDivisionoftheCentennialCommissiontooverseetheinvolvementofwomeninthecelebration.Fivehundredofthecity’smostprominentandactivewomenwereinvitedtoattendameeting,anditwasestimatedthatapproximatelyninetypercentofthemattendedthisorganizationalmeetingwherecommitteeswereformedtocarryoutthedirectivesoftheBoardofControl.Ten
30EvidencealsosuggeststhatFortWorth’sdesiretostageitsowncentennialcelebrationwasnotnecessarilybasedon
competitionbutasawaytocomplimentandbenefitfromtheDallasevent.SeeJacobW.Olmstead,“FromOldSouthtoModernWest:FortWorth’sCelebrationoftheTexasStateCentennialandtheShapingofanUrbanIdentityandImage,”Dissertation(Ph.D.),(TexasChristianUniversity,FortWorth,Texas,December2011.[UMIdissertation,electronicresource]),pp.17and50‐51.Seethebrochure“WildandWhoo‐pee:FortWorthFrontierCentennial,”foundinthe“FrontierCentennial”files,Box89,AmonG.CarterPapers,SpecialCollections,TexasChristianUniversityLibrary.
31 Olmstead, “FromOldSouthtoModernWest:FortWorth’sCelebrationoftheTexasStateCentennialandtheShapingofanUrbanIdentityandImage,”pp.66,84and94.
32WesleyE.Sparling,“TexasFrontierCentennial,”HandbookofTexasOnline(http://www.tshaonline.or/handbook/online/articles/lkt03),accessedFebruary12,2012.PublishedbytheTexasStateHistoricalAssociation;“WildandWhoo‐pee:FortWorthFrontierCentennial;”CarolRoark,FortWorth’sLegendaryLandmarks(FortWorth:TexasChristianUniversityPress,1995)p.223.
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committeeswereinitiallyorganized;bytheendofthecentennialobservance,thereweretwentycommittees.EstimatesofthenumberofwomenwhovolunteeredduringtheFrontierCentennialrangefromtwothousandtofivethousand.33TheWomen’sDivisionwasheadedbyMargaretMcLean,atruedaughteroftheConfederacy.Herfather,WilliamPinkneyMcLean,immigratedtoMarshall,Texaswithhismotherin1836.HestudiedlawattheUniversityofNorthCarolinaatChapelHill,andwasadmittedtothebarin1857.HeservedintheTexasHouseofRepresentativesbothbeforeandaftertheCivilWar.Duringthewar,hefoughtfortheConfederacy,enlistingasaprivateandendinghisservicewiththerankofmajor.AfterthewarandhisserviceintheTexasHouseofRepresentatives,hewaselectedtotheU.S.HouseofRepresentativesasaDemocrat,servingfromMarch4,1873toMarch3,1875.Heremainedactiveinthepracticeoflawandstatepolitics,servingasamemberofthestate’sconstitutionalconventionin1875,waselectedjudgeoftheFifthJudicialDistrictin1884,andwasappointedbyGovernorHoggtothestate’sfirstRailroadCommissionin1891.Afterresigningfromthatpost,hemovedtoFortWorthin1893wherehepracticedlaw.HediedinthatcityonMarch13,1925.34Muchlikeherfather,MargaretMcLean’slifewasfilledwithpublicservicethroughheraffiliationwithnumerousorganizations.Shewasbornc.1875inMountPleasant,Texas,andwaseducatedinthepublicschoolsofthatcitybeforeenrollingattheVirginiaFemaleInstituteatStaunton,Virginia,aveneratedschooloftheOldSouth.ShemovedtoFortWorthin1894.By1908,MargarethadcommittedherselftoacareerasaprofessionalwelfareworkerandattendedtheSchoolofPhilanthropyandaYMCAtrainingschoolinNewYork.DuringWorldWarI,shewasinchargeoftheRedCrossCanteenandinformationboothattheTexasandPacificRailwayStationandservedasa“Y”hostessatCampBowie,themilitarytrainingcamponthewesternedgeofFortWorth.Fornearlytenyears,shewasastrongadvocateforanewCity‐Countyhospital.Shewasemployedastheexecutivesecretaryofthecity’schapteroftheAmericanRedCross,apositionsheheldforapproximatelytwentyyearsbeforeshewasforcedintoretirementin1942.JustpriortoWorldWarI,McLeanbecameinterestedincivicbeautification.Beforewomenwereallowedtoserveoncityboards,shewasappointedtoawomen’sadvisorycommitteetotheBoardofParkCommissioners.Afterwomenreceivedthevote,shewasthefirstwomanappointedtotheParkBoard,servingfrom1921until1939.Shewastheboard’ssecretaryformanyofthoseyears.ShewasachartermemberoftheFortWorth’sWoman’sClub,theDaughtersoftheAmericanRevolution,UnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy,andtheDaughtersoftheTexasRevolution.OthermembershipsincludedtheFortWorthGardenClub,theFortWorthArtAssociation,theRoundTable,MondayBookClub,FortWorthOperaAssociationandFortWorthSymphonyAssociation.TheseconnectionsandherkinshiptoanauthenticpioneerfamilymadeMargaretMcLeananidealleaderoftheWomen’sDivisionoftheTexasFrontierCentennial.35
33 Olmstead,“FromOldSouthtoModernWest:FortWorth’sCelebrationoftheTexasStateCentennialandtheShaping
ofanUrbanIdentityandImage,”p.141.Olmsteadworkcitesthenumberofwomeninvolvedasfivethousand;anunidentifiednewspaperarticledatedApril6,1937,statedthattwothousandwomenhadvolunteeredfortheFrontierCentennial.See“Women’sDivision,TexasFrontierCentennialCelebration,FortWorth,1936‐1937,”(ScrapbookcompiledbyMargaretMcLean,PSF[PearlSpearmanFry?]andHistoricalSocietyofFortWorth,1951),FortWorthLibraryArchives,FortWorth,Texas[hereafterreferredtoasWomen’sDivisionScrapbook].
34“McLean,WilliamPinkney,(1836‐1925),”BiographicalDirectoryoftheUnitedStatesCongress,(http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/bioodisplay.pl?index=M000553)accessedFebruary21,2012.
35“MissMargaretMcLean,Club,CivicLeader,Dies,”FortWorthStar‐Telegram,March26,1961,pp.1and2.NowknownasStuartHall,theschoolwasestablishedin1843andbecameaveneratedgirls’preparatoryschool.SeealsoEdithAldermanGuedry,“Woman’sClubtoHonorMissMargaretMcLeanatLuncheononFriday,”FortWorthPress,November7,1936;“MissMcLeantoAcceptEmeritusSecretaryPost,”FortWorthPress,October16,1942;andEdithAldermanGuedry,“LeaderofWomen’sGroupofFrontierCentennialisMemberofPioneerFamily,”FortWorthPress,June22,1936,p.6.
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TheexuberancewithwhichwomenparticipatedintheplanningandstagingoftheFrontierCentennialfaroutpacedtheresponsefromthecity’smen.AsaneditorialintheFortWorthStar‐Telegramstated,“Themen’sgroupsshouldcatchthecadence.”36JacobW.OlmsteadnotedinhisstudyoftheFrontierCentennialthatasidefromtheactivitiesofsuchprominentmenasnewspaperpublisherAmonG.CarterandbusinessmanWilliamMonnig,littleisknownabouttheeffortsofthetwo‐hundred‐plusmenwhoweremembersoftheCentennialCommission.37TheWomen’sDivisionhaditsheadquartersattheofficesoftheFortWorthChamberofCommerce.ItwasherethatitscommitteesmetwiththeexceptionofafewmeetingsthatwereheldattheFrontierVillageontheCentennialgroundsastheopeningdayapproached.ThedivisionanditscommitteesreceivedallocationsfromtheBoardofControlwithwhichtheycarriedouttheirassignedtasks.38RestorationoftheVanZandtCottageasanOfficialProjectoftheFrontierCentennialTheideaofrestoringtheformerVanZandthomeinconjunctionwiththecity’scentennialcelebrationwasformedasearlyasFebruary1936.Representativesfrommorethanfifteen“patriotic”women’sorganizationsattendedameetingoftheWomen’sDivision’sHistoricalResearchCommitteewhereitwasdecidedthattheJuliaJacksonChapter#141,UnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy(UDC)andtheFrancesCookeVanZandtChapter,DaughtersoftheRepublicofTexas(DRT)wouldjointlysponsortherestorationofthehouse.ThesetwogroupswereseenastheidealsponsorsbecauseoftheirconnectionstotheConfederacyandtheRepublicofTexas.Inaddition,VanZandtfamilymembers,includingK.M.VanZandt’swidowandthreeofhisdaughters,weremembersoftheJuliaJacksonChapter,UDC.TheFrancesCookeVanZandtChapter,DRTwasnamedafterhismother.Oncerestored,itwasenvisionedthatthetwoorganizationswouldshareinthebuilding’suseandmaintenance.39Havingthewilltorestorethehomedidnotguaranteethattheprojectwouldbecarriedout.Itwouldbenecessaryforthewomen’sorganizationstogainthesupport—particularlythefinancialsupport—ofotherorganizations.Andithadtobeascertainedwhetheritwasevenfeasibletorehabilitatethestructure.Afterall,ithadbeenuninhabitedforanumberofyears.MargaretMcLean,chairmanoftheWomen’sDivision,visitedthehousewiththeParkDepartment’slandscapeconsultant,S.HerbertHareofthelandscapearchitecturefirmHareandHareofKansasCity,Missouri.BothMcLeanandHarewereconvincedthatthehousewouldhavetobenearlyrebuiltduetoitsdeterioratedcondition.OnApril14,1936,McLeanagainvisitedthestructurewithThomasS.Byrne,founderofthegeneralcontractingfirmthatborehisname.40OnApril26,1936,theFortWorthStar‐TelegrampublishedtwophotosoftheVanZandthousethatclearlydepicteditsdeterioratedcondition(seeFigures8and9).Undertheheadline“OldVanZandtHomeWillBeRestoredandFurnished,”theaccompanyingarticledescribedthehouseashaving“twolargerooms,twosmallroomsandacenterhallatoneendofwhichwasthediningroom.”Itidentifiedthenorthporchasthefrontofthehouseand
36FortWorthStar‐Telegram,February5,1936asquotedinOlmstead,“FromOldSouthtoModernWest:FortWorth’s
CelebrationoftheTexasStateCentennialandtheShapingofanUrbanIdentityandImage,”p.148.37Olmstead,“FromOldSouthtoModernWest:FortWorth’sCelebrationoftheTexasStateCentennialandtheShaping
ofanUrbanIdentityandImage,”p.149.38ForinformationonthefunctioningoftheWomen’sDivisionanditsnumerouscommittees,seeMinutesofWomen’s
Division[PlanningBoard],Women’sDivisionScrapbook.39“VanZandtHometobeRestoredatShowSite,”FortWorthStar‐Telegram,February13,1936(morningedition),AR
406‐7‐25‐92,FWSTCC.40“MuseumCosttobeStudied,”FortWorthStar‐Telegram,April14,1936.
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notedthatthekitchenwasoutdoors.Thisarticlealsorevealedthatanallocationof$2,000fromtheFortWorthFrontierCentennialBoardofControlhadbeenpromisedtotheWomen’sDivisionforthehouse’srestoration.41ThePlanningBoardoftheWomen’sDivisionwaskeptadvisedontheplansforthehome’srestorationthroughreportsgivenbyMargaretMcLeanandtheFrontierCentennial’ssupervisingarchitect,JosephR.Pelich,whowasresponsibleforthedesignofthehome’srestoration.InareporttotheboardonApril29,McLeanexpressedthesentimentthatunskilledworkers(suchas“C.C.”workersasstatedintheboard’sminutes)shouldbeusedfortheprojectinordertokeepthehome’srusticqualities.ShecontinuedtoholdthisopinionthroughearlyMayastheStar‐Telegramquotedherassaying“Inreproducingthishousewewantittolookjustasitdidin1871....Unskilledlaborshouldbeusedtobringaboutthiseffect.”42OnJune1,theBoardofControlvotedtomakethepromisedappropriationofupto$2,000totheWomen’sDivisionfortherestorationoftheVanZandthome.ThroughaletterfromJ.B.Davis,generalmanageroftheFortWorthFrontierCentennial,toMargaretMcLean,theWomen’sDivisionwastaskedwiththerestorationworkanddirectedtohireacontractorundertheirname(nottheBoardofControl’s).43LessthanthreeweeksbeforetheopeningoftheFrontierCentennial,thelocalchaptersoftheUnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacyandtheDaughtersoftheRepublicwerenamedasthecustodiansofthehomeduringthecentennialcelebration.Itwastheirresponsibilitytofurnishthehomeandtoassignhostessestobestationedatthehouseeachdayduringthecentennialobservance.44Whencompleted,the“restored”housecontainedsixrooms;threeacrossthefrontandthreeacrosstheback.Therearroomswerecreatedthroughtheenclosureoftherearporch.Windowopeningsonthesouthelevationwereuncoveredandenlargedtoasizeapproximatingtheirearlierappearance.Theexteriorwassheathedwithship‐lapsidingofauniformwidthandpaintedgray.Thebrickchimneystackswereremovedandreplacedwithlimestoneandasolidlimestoneandbrickfoundationprovidedasturdiersupportforthehousethanthepreviousstacked‐stonepiers.TheadditionofwindowshuttersandthepaintingofwoodtrimwhitedidnotquiteholdtruetoMargaretMcLean’sdesiretoreturnthehousetoits1870sappearancebutinsteadcreatedaromanticizedversionofitsfrontierpast.Asstatedpreviously,earlierdescriptionsofthehousementionedtheexistenceoftworoomsoneithersideofthecenterhallway,suggestingthatthepensoneithersideofthecorridorhadbeenpartitionedtocreatetworooms.Afterthe“restoration,”thereweretworoomsoneithersideofthecorridorbutthiswasaccomplishedthroughtheenclosureoftherearporchandwouldhaveresultedintheremovalofthepartitionsintheoriginalpens.Accordingtoonenewspaperarticle,thefrontroomonthewestsideofthecorridorwasreferredtoasMajorVanZandt’sbedroom.Thesmallroomimmediatelytothenorth(originallypartoftherearporch)wasreferredtoasthedaughters’bedroom(labeled“dressingroom”inFigure2).Attherearofthecorridorwasthediningroom(designatedasabreakfastroominFigure2).Itsadditionresultedinthecompleteremovalofthewallthat
41“OldVanZandtHomeWillBeRestoredandFurnished,”FortWorthStar‐Telegram,April26,1936,AR406‐7‐184‐30.42MinutesoftheWomen’sDivision[PlanningBoard],TexasFrontierCentennial,FortWorth,Texas,April29,1936,
Women’sDivisionScrapbook;“CommitteeNamedtoStudyDetailsofVanZandtHome,”FortWorthStar‐Telegram,May13,1936(morningedition),AR406‐7‐184‐30.
43LetterfromJ.B.Davis,GeneralManager,FortWorthFrontierCentennial,toMargaretMcLean,June2,1936,astranscribedinDoraDavenportJones,TheHistoryoftheJuliaJacksonChapter#141,UnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy,FortWorth,Texas1897‐1976,p.71.
44“CustodiansNamedDuringCentennial,”FortWorthStar‐Telegram,July1,1936(morningedition),AR406‐7‐184‐30.
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formerlyservedasthenorthwallofthecorridorsothatthebreakfast/diningroomwasbasicallyanextensionofthecorridor,albeitatalowergrade.Atthenorthwestandnortheastcornersofthediningroomwerebuilt‐incornercupboardswithpunchedtinpanels.Theroomdirectlyeastofthediningroomwasconstructedasakitchenwithabuiltinpantryatthenortheastcornerandamodernsinkplacedinthesoutheastcorner.Thelargeroomtotheeastofthecorridorwasreferredtoasthelivingroom.45AhistoryoftheJuliaJacksonChapter#141,UDC,publishedin1976,indicatesthattherewasasmallporchandbathroomaddedtotherearofthehousein1936andthattheporchwaslaterenclosed.ArchitectArtWeinman’sinvestigationofthehousestatesthatthebathroomwasactuallyaddedintheearly1950s.Thisappendage,includingthebathroom,wasremovedin2003.46TheworkonthecottagebeganaroundJune13andwascompletedonJuly14.Thetaskoffurnishingthecottagewasaccomplishedinamatterofdays.WiththeassistanceofMajorVanZandt’soldestdaughter,MaryLouHendricksofSanAngelo,thehousewasdecoratedwithperiod‐appropriatefurnishings,includingsomefurnitureoriginallyownedbyMajorVanZandt.Theseincludedalargebookcasethatwasplacedinthehallandaplatformrockerplacedbythefireplaceinhisbedroom.An“exactcopy”ofthefamily’sdiningroomtablewasplacedinthediningroom.Dishesfromthe1870swereplacedinthecornercupboards.Asquarepiano,marbletoppedtable,apairofloveseatsanda“whatnot”wereplacedinthelivingroom.Thewindowswerecoveredwith“whitecurtainstiedlowandtuckedinthecenter.”47At3:30pmonJuly18,1936,PresidentFranklinD.RooseveltpressedawirelesskeyaboardhisyachtofftheMainecoast,triggeringaknifetocutaribbonandlassostretchedacrosstheentrancetoFortWorth’sFrontierCentennialgrounds.Thefollowingday,onSunday,July19,a“housewarming”washeldattheVanZandthomewithdescendantsofMajorVanZandtattendingashonoredguests.Refreshmentsconsistedofmustanggrapepunchandgingerbread.Thepresenceof“OldConfederateveteranswiththeirfiddlesandnegroeswiththeirbanjos”helpedreinforcethedesireoftheWomen’sDivisiontoplacetheVanZandthomenotonlyinFortWorth’sfrontierpastbutalsowithinitssouthernroots.ThoseincludedontheprogramwereMargaretMcLean,W.J.Marsh,RaymondStewart,Mrs.J.L.Mims,Mrs.C.C.Peters,localchairmanoftheDaughtersoftheRepublicofTexas,Mrs.J.W.Morris,localUDCchairman,CouncilmanT.J.Harrell,andMrs.J.E.Taulman.AllenKysarperformedanarrangementof“WillYouCometotheBower?”onthefife.48Thehousewasopeneverydayduringthecentennialcelebrationwiththreehostessesonsite.AlthoughsurvivingephemerasuggeststhattheVanZandthousewasnotmentionedinofficialprogramsandbrochures,itwasoneofthestopsalongFrontierCentennialbustoursandthisfactmayhaveboostedattendance.Atleastonenewspaper
45EdithAldermanGuedry,“HousewarmingtobeHeldinOldVanZandtHomeatCandlelightingTimeSunday,”Fort
WorthPress,July15,1936.46 Jones,TheHistoryoftheJuliaJacksonChapter#141,UnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy,FortWorth,Texas1897‐
1976,p.73;Weinman,“ReportontheCurrentConditionoftheVanZandtCottagewithRestorationSuggestions,”n.p. 47MinutesoftheWomen’sDivision[PlanningBoard],TexasFrontierCentennialFortWorth,Texas,June22,1936,
Women’sDivisionScrapbook;Guedry,“HousewarmingtobeHeldinOldVanZandtHomeatCandlelightingTimeSunday;”“PioneerHomeDedicatedatPark,”FortWorthStar‐Telegram,July20,1936,AR406‐7‐184‐30.
48Olmstead,“FromOldSouthtoModernWest:FortWorth’sCelebrationoftheTexasStateCentennialandtheShapingofanUrbanIdentityandImage,”p.1;“PioneerHomeDedicatedatPark;”Guedry,“HousewarmingtobeHeldinOldVanZandtHomeatCandlelightingTimeSunday.”
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articleindicatedthatthehousefoundareceptiveaudienceandthat“Tennesseevisitorshavebeenlouderintheirpraisethanguestsfromotherstates,becausetheysaythelittlehouseissotypicalofhomesofthatperiod.”49EdithAldermanGuedry,editoroftheWoman’sPagefortheFortWorthPress,notedthatforanexhibitiondevotedtothecelebrationofthestate’sfrontierpast,theVanZandthomewasitsmostauthenticvenue.Afewdaysbeforeitsdedication,shewrote“Rightnowthehousehasarathernewappearancebecauseofthefreshpaintandnewparts,whichreplaceoldpartsthathadwastedaway.Butinayearwhenthecrepemyrtle,lilacs,violetsandotherpioneerflowersareplantedintheyard,theoldVanZandthomewillbetheoneandonlypioneershowplaceinFortWorth.AnditistheonlyrealoldthingontheFrontierCentennialgrounds.”50TheVanZandtCottagefollowingtheFrontierCentennialMostofthefurnishingusedintheVanZandtCottageduringtheFrontierCentennialwereontemporaryloan.FurnishingsthatremainedaftertheFrontierCentennialincludedVanZandt’sbookcaseandthesquarepiano.InJanuary1938,theR.E.LeeCamp#158,UnitedConfederateVeteranspresentedtheJuliaJacksonChapter#141,UDC,allofitsdocuments,furnishingsandothereffectsafterthatorganizationbecamedormant.TheFrancesCookeVanZandtChapter,DaughtersoftheRepublicofTexassoonwithdrewitssupportoftheprojectasthatorganizationbegantoconcentrateitseffortsonthepreservationoftheAlamoinSanAntonio.OtherfurnishingsforthehousewereacquiredovertheyearsfrommembersoftheJuliaJacksonChapterandotherindividuals.By1964,familymembershadgivenMajorVanZandt’sbedroomfurnituretothechapterforuseinthecottage.51InMay1941,theJuliaJacksonChapter#141,UDC,negotiatedacontractwiththeParkDepartmenttransferringanyrightsithadtothepropertytotheCity.Thechapteragreed“tomaintainandoperateaConfederateMuseumandtokeepacaretakerinsaidpremises.”Foritspart,theCity,throughtheParkDepartment,agreedtofurnishwaterandmaintainthepremises.Thechapteralsoplannedafewrepairstothehome.52In1949,theUDCchapterexpectedtomakemorerepairstothecottageatacostofabout$850.AsreportedintheFortWorthStar‐Telegram,theanticipatedrepairsweretoincludea“newroof,porchandcoatofpaint.”Thefundsweretoberaisedthroughpublicsubscriptionandtheworkwastobethechapter’swayofcommemoratingthecentennialoftheestablishmentofFortWorth.53
49“GuestsFromOtherStatesPraiseHome,”undatednewspaperarticleattributedtotheFortWorthPressasfoundin
Jones,TheHistoryoftheJuliaJacksonChapter#141,UnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy,FortWorth,Texas1897‐1976,p.74.TheAmonG.CarterPapersatSpecialCollections,TexasChristianUniversityLibrary,isagoodsourceforexaminingbrochuresandprogramspublishedfortheFrontierCentennial.Forexample,see“WildandWhoo‐pee:FortWorthFrontierCentennial.”Inallfairness,thefactthattheworkontheVanZandtCottagedidnotbeginuntilafewweeksbeforethescheduledopeningoftheexhibitionmayhaveprecludedCentennialorganizersfromincludinginformationaboutitinearlypromotionalmaterial.Still,noinformationaboutthecottagewasincludedinthefinalshowprograms.Interestingly,athesiswrittenin1938aboutthehistoryoftheFrontierCentennialalsomadenomentionoftherestorationoftheVanZandtCottage.See,LoisGray,“HistoryoftheFortWorthFrontierCentennial,”(M.A.Thesis,TexasChristianUniversity,May1938).
50Guedry,“HousewarmingtobeHeldinOldVanZandtHomeatCandlelightingTimeSunday.”51Jones, TheHistoryoftheJuliaJacksonChapter#141,UnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy,FortWorth,Texas1897‐
1976,pp.77and79.52PhotocopyofReleaseandAgreementdatedMay1,1941in“VanZandtCottage”file,Box6,File19,UnitedDaughters
oftheConfederacy,JuliaJacksonChapter#141Collection,FortWorthPublicLibraryArchives,FortWorth,Texas.Seealso“VanZandtHometoBeMuseum,ConfederateMemorial,”May2,1941(morningedition),FWSTCC.
53“VanZandtHomeRefurbishingisCentennialProjectofUDC,”FortWorthStar‐Telegram,August10,1949(morningedition),FWSTCC,AR406‐7‐184‐30.
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From1952to1954,SueWadeMcDonald,theUDC’scaretakerforthecottage,andafriendlivedinthehouse,fullyusingitsfurnishingsexceptforthoseintheeastroom.ButwhenJohnCassteven,aParkDepartmentemployeewholivedtotheeastofthehouse,moved,hefearedthatitwouldbeunsafeforthewomentoremaintherealoneandtheyvacatedthehouse.54From1960to1964,EthelN.Nicholsservedasthehouse’scaretakerandprovedtobeadedicatedstewardofthecottage.Largelythroughherfinancialsupport,thehouse’sroofandfrontporchwerereplacedandthebackporchwasenclosed.55Shealsopurchasedfurnitureandotheritemsforthehouse.Mrs.NicholswasresponsibleforthehousebeingdesignatedasaRecordedTexasHistoricalLandmarkbytheTexasStateHistoricalSurveyCommittee(nowtheTexasHistoricalCommission)in1962.Shewasalsoresponsibleforthecreationofaninventoryofthehouse’sfurnishingswithnotationsregardingthedonor.ThislasttaskwascompletedinSeptember1964,justtwomonthsbeforeherdeath.56Mrs.Nichol’scustodianshipmayhavealsocoincidedwiththeadoptionoftheappellation“VanZandtCottage.”InanarticleappearingintheFortWorthStar‐TelegramonMay15,1960,announcingrestorationworkcompletedbytheJuliaJacksonChapter,UDC,theword“cottage”appearedintheheadlineandthename“VanZandtCottage”appearedasthefirstwordsofthefirstsentence.WhenthehousewasdesignatedaRecordedTexasHistoricLandmarkin1962,itwasdonesounderthename“VanZandtCottage.”57Followingherdeath,theNicholsfamilyestablishedanendowmentfundforthepreservationandmaintenanceofthecottage.Herson,JamesR.Nichols,andhiswifebecamethecustodianswithchapterpresidentsservingasco‐custodians.OnAugust25,1966,theCityCouncilapprovedatwenty‐yearcontractwiththefoundationthatdirectedthecare,maintenanceandpreservationofthehouse.Thecontractwasrenewedagainin1986withthesameprovisions.Foratime,asmallplaquewasdisplayedonthefrontwallstatingthatthecottagewasmaintainedbytheEthelN.NicholsVanZandtCottageFoundation.58Adecadelaterandinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthecontract,Mr.Nicholssubmittedarequesttoterminatethefoundation’scontractwiththeCitywiththeintentionofdissolvingthefoundation.BoththeCity’sParkBoardandtheCityCouncilapprovedtheterminationofthecontractin1996.Thefoundation’sremainingassetsweretransferredtoarestrictedaccountwithintheCity’scoffersdedicatedtothepreservationandmaintenanceofthehouse.59TheVanZandtCottageisstillownedbytheCityofFortWorthandfallsunderthejurisdictionofLogCabinVillage,aunitoftheFortWorthParksandCommunityServicesDepartment.Sincetheturnofthetwenty‐firstcentury,theVanZandtCottagehasreceivedrenewedattentionandundergonesubstantialworkthatenabledittopasstheseventy‐fifthanniversaryofits1936reincarnation.In2002,itwasdesignatedasaCityofFortWorthHistoricandCulturalLandmark.AlthoughtheJuliaJacksonChapterceasedmeetinginthebuildingwiththeinitiationofrestorationworkin2002,anothergroupemergedin2004outofconcernforthebuilding’sfuture.Thatyear,
54Jones,TheHistoryoftheJuliaJacksonChapter#141,UnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy,FortWorth,Texas1897‐1976,p.79.
55Ibid.,p.80.56Ibid.,pp.80‐81.57“ParkCottageofVanZandtNowRestored,”FortWorthStar‐Telegram,May15,1960.58Ibid.,p.82;CityofFortWorth,Texas,MayorandCouncilCommunications,C‐15649,September17,1996,copyon
fileatLogCabinVillage59CityofFortWorth,Texas,MayorandCouncilCommunications,C‐15649,September17,1996.
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descendantsofMajorVanZandtandotherinterestedindividualsformedtheVanZandtCottageFriends,Inc.Thegrouphasbeenraisingfundsfortherestorationofthecottage.Followingthecompletionofahistoricstructuresreportin2005byArthurWeinman,AIA,variousprojectswereinitiatedasfundsbecameavailable.Theseincludedsubstantialworktothefoundationandtherebuildingofthefrontporch.Additionalworkisstillneeded.WiththeassistanceoftheVanZandtCottageFriends,Inc.,thereisgoodreasontobelievethatthecottagewilleventuallymarktheonehundredthanniversaryofitsrestorationasaprojectoftheWomen’sDivisionoftheFortWorthFrontierCentennial.60JosephR.Pelich,Architect JosephR.PelichwasoneofFortWorth’smostprominentandrespectedarchitectsbetween1920andhisdeathin1968.BorninPrague(thenpartofAustria)in1894,PelichimmigratedwithhisfamilytoCleveland,Ohio,attheageoffive.HereceivedabachelorofarchitecturedegreefromCornellUniversityin1916.AsastudenthereceivednoticeforhisworkbywinningtheCharlesGoodwinSandsMemorial(1915),Beaux‐ArtsSociety(1916),andCliftonBeckwithBrownMemorial(1916)medalsandattendedtheSorbonneinParisonaCornellUniversitygraduatescholarship.HeworkedwithFrankB.MeadandHubbellandBenesarchitecturalfirmsinClevelandfrom1915to1917.Afterthecountry’sentranceintoWorldWarI,PelichjoinedtheU.S.ArmyAirCorpsandwasassignedtoCanadawiththeRoyalFlyingCorps.HewasthensenttoFortWorth,Texas,wherehereceivedtrainingatthethreeairfieldsinthevicinity.Whenhisflyinginstructor,VernonCastle,waskilledinatrainingaccidentatFortWorth,Pelichbecametheprincipalflyinginstructor.Followinghisdischargefromservicein1919withtherankofsecondlieutenant,hedecidedtostayinFortWorthtopursueacareerinarchitecture.61Pelichwasadeptworkingintheperiodrevivalstylesthatwerepopularbetween1920and1960.Indeed,hisresidentialworkduringthisperiodrangedfromSpanishEclectic,ColonialRevival,ClassicalRevival,TudorRevival,orhybridizationsofthesestyles.OneofhisfirstresidentialworksinFortWorthwastheSpanishEclecticstylehomeforDr.ArvelandFayePonton,constructedintheMistletoeHeightsneighborhoodc.1920(NR2006).In1922,PelichdesignedthebathhousefortheCity’snewpoolinForestPark.Itsfull‐heightcolumnsreflectedaclassicalinfluence.Otherclientsduringthisperiodincludedthecity’sbusinessandprofessionalelitesaswelltheFortWorthIndependentSchoolDistrict.62PelichservedasthesupervisingarchitectfortheFortWorthFrontierCentennialin1936.Heoversawthedesignandconstructionofthefrontierstylebuildingsalong“SunsetTrail”anddesignedCasaMañana,theoutdoordinnertheaterwithrevolvingstage.HewasalsoresponsibleforthedesignoftherestorationoftheVanZandtCottage.DuringthelatterpartoftheGreatDepressionandWorldWarII,PelichjoinedforceswithothernotableFortWortharchitectstodesignprojectsforthefederalgovernment.HeworkedwithPrestonGeren,Sr.,WyattC.Hedrick,HubertH.CraneandElmerG.WithersunderthedirectionofWileyG.Clarkson,chiefarchitect,andC.O.Chromaster,supervisingarchitect,onthedesignsoftheRipleyArnoldandButlerPlacepublichousingprojectsfortheFortWorthHousingAuthority(1938‐1940).InajointventurewithClarkson,Geren,andJoeRady,Pelichwasthesupervisingarchitectforthedesignofthe3,605‐bedMcCloskeyArmyHospitalinTemple(1942).
60KelliPickard,Director,LogCabinVillage,interviewwithSusanAllenKline,December16,2011(notesinthe
possessionoftheauthor);JulieThibodeaux,“FriendsAimtoPreserveVanZandtLegacy,”FortWorthStar‐Telegram,April11,2007.
61JudithS.Cohen,“Pelich,JosephRoman,”HandbookofTexasOnline(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fpepv),accessedJanuary22,2012.PublishedbytheTexasStateHistoricalAssociation.
62FortWorthStar‐Telegram,February21,1922(viaNewsBankandtheAmericanAntiquarianSociety[hereafterreferredtoasNewsBank]).
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AlthoughthemajorityofPelich’sworkwashighlyinfluencedbyhistoricalstyles,hedidproduceworkswithinamodernidiom.HisdesignfortheFortWorthPublicLibrary(1938)reflectedthestrippedclassicisminvogueforpublicbuildingsduringtheGreatDepression.Dr.ArvelPonton,forwhomPelichdesignedaSpanishEclecticstyleresidencec.1920,calledonhimagaintodesignaModerne‐styleclinicinthe1930s.FollowingWorldWarII,Pelich’sfirmproducedmoderndesignsforForestOakJuniorHigh(1954)andEasternHillsSeniorHighSchool(1958‐59).Thesedesignsincorporatedthepost‐warpreferenceforflatroofsandlittleornamentation.ItisinterestingtonotethatatapproximatelythesametimePelich’sfirmproducedthedesignforForestOakJuniorHigh,italsoproducedCarrChapel‐BeasleyHall‐BriteHallforTexasChristianUniversity,ahighlydetailedexampleoftheGeorgiaRevivalstyle.PelichregardedtheGreaterSouthwestInternationalAirport,aprojectdoneinconjunctionwithPrestonGeren,Sr.,ashismostsignificantachievement.Pelichreferredtoitasa“contemporaryfunctional”design.Itwascompletedin1953.HealsoservedastheassociatearchitectforPhilipJohnson’sdesignfortheAmonCarterMuseum(1961).63Inc.1955,PelichwasengagedbytheEisenhowerBirthplaceFoundationtorestoretheEisenhowerBirthplaceinDenison,Texas.CapitalizingontheEisenhowerpresidency(1953‐1961),localboosterswantedtorestorethehometoanappearanceappropriatetotheyearofthepresident’sbirth,1890.SimilartotheworkdoneontheVanZandtCottage,Pelich’sdesigntooksomelibertieswiththeexistinghouse.Alterationsincludedtheadditionofnewwindowsandmodificationstosomeexistingwindows,newdooropenings,alterationstoaporch(newsteps,replacementofsolidbalustradewithanopenpicket‐stylebalustrade,andthereplacementofapitchedroofwithaflatroof)andremovalofanaddition.Interiormodificationsincludedtherelocationofthestairway.DonaldMayes,alocalarchitect,supervisedtheconstructionproject.Pelichisalsocreditedwithdesigningthesitemanager’sresidence.ForhisworkontheEisenhowerBirthplace,PelichwasthefirstarchitecttoreceivetheTexasRestorationAwardfromtheTexasStateHistoricalSurveyCommittee(nowknownastheTexasHistoricalCommission)in1967.64Pelichwasactiveinprofessional,civic,andsocialorganizations.HewasachartermemberoftheTexasSocietyofArchitects.HewasthefirstpresidentoftheFortWorthChapteroftheAmericanInstituteofArchitects,servingin1946.HeservedontheFortWorthArtCommissionfrom1925to1933.HewasamemberoftheFortWorthClub,theFortWorthBoatClub,andtheOrderoftheDaedalians(afraternalorganizationofWorldWarImilitarypilots).HediedonJuly19,1968,inFortWorth.65
63Cohen,“Pelich,JosephRoman,”HandbookofTexasOnline;“ThousandsAttendRitesDedicatingNewAirport,”Dallas
MorningNews.April26,1953(NewsBank);FrankD.Welch,PhilipJohnsonandTexas(Austin:UniversityofTexasPress,2000),pp.87,97.
64See“DataSoughtonIkeHomeatDenison,”DallasMorningNews,May17,1955,(NewsBank);DavidHenners,ProjectDesignAssistant,HistoricSitesDivision,TexasHistoricalCommission,emailcorrespondencewithSusanAllenKline,January31,2012andFebruary1,2012;Cohen.“Pelich,JosephRoman,”HandbookofTexasOnline.SomefoundtheEisenhowerBirthplaceprojectsuspect,notbecauseoftheworkdoneonthebuildingbutbecauseofevidencesuggestingthatDwightEisenhowerwasborninTyler,Texas.SeeFrankX.Tolbert,“Ike’sBirthplaceGainsPopularity,”DallasMorningNews,August23,1961(NewsBank).
65Cohen,“Pelich,JosephRoman,”HandbookofTexasOnline;MunicipalLife,1931‐1937(CityofFortWorth,c.1938),p.v.
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SelectedListofFortWorthProjectsbyJosephR.Pelich66PontonHouse,1208MistletoeDrive,c.1920,(SpanishEclectic),NR2006,RTHL2008Crites‐LawrenceHouse,2622FifthAvenue,1922(Baroque/MissionRevival)ForestParkBathHouse,1922(ClassicalRevival)MelatHouse,2600RyanPlaceDrive,1923(ColonialRevival)ReichHouse,1206MistletoeDrive,1924(Germanic/TudorRevival)BryanHouse,901HillcrestStreet,c.1924(ColonialRevival)W.T.WaggonerHouse,800RivercrestRoad,c.1925(ClassicalRevival/ItalianRenaissance)GreeneHouse,511RivercrestDrive,1926‐27(EclecticPeriodRevival)MorganHouse,619RivercrestDrive,1926‐27(ColonialRevival)ThomasHouse,501RivercrestDrive,1927(EclecticPeriodRevival)FlemingHouse,2350MedfordCourtE.,1927((ItalianRenaissance)WestbrookHouse,2232WintonTerraceW,1928(TudorRevival),NR2009,RTHL2009BewleyHall,FortWorthWoman’sClub,1300blockPennsylvaniaAvenue,1929(ItalianRenaissance)FreeseHouse,3318AvondaleAvenue,1929(TudorRevival)Houseat2000SpanishTrail,c.1930(FrenchEclectic)BristolHouse,2424MedfordCourtW.,1930(TudorRevival)PelichHouse,716WestviewAvenue,1930‐31(TudorRevival)StaffordHouse,c.1931[attributed](TudorRevival)FriedsonHouse,2420MedfordCourtE.,1931(TudorRevival)ThompsonHouse,500AltaDrive,1931(TudorRevival)FilterBuilding,NorthHollyWaterTreatmentPlant,150011thAve,1932(MissionRevival)CumminsHouse,3309AvondaleAvenue,1934(TudorRevival)StewartHouse,2237WintonTerraceW.,1934(TudorRevival)AliceE.CarlsonSchoolAddition,3320CanteyStreet,1935(Mission/SpanishColonialRevival),RTHL2000ParsonsHouse,3315AvondaleAvenue,1935(TudorRevival)OaklawnElementarySchool,3220HardemanStreet,1935‐36(SpanishEclectic)CasaMañana,TexasFrontierCentennialGrounds,1936VanZandtCottage,2900CrestlineRoad,1936restoration/rehabilitationNinnieBairdHouse,2429RogersAvenue,1936(ColonialRevival)PolytechnicSeniorHighSchool,1300ConnerAvenue,1936‐37,1954(GeorgianRevival)HillHouse,3100AvondaleAvenue,1937(TudorRevival)HerdHouse,3208AvondaleAvenue,1937(GeorgianRevival)PontonClinic,1307Pennsylvania,1930s(ClassicalModernistic)FortWorthPublicLibrary,1938(ClassicalModernistic)Buckler‐LandrethHouse,104HazelwoodDrive,1938‐39RadioBroadcastingStationKFJZ,1201W.LancasterAvenue,1939(Moderne/modernistic)Harding‐ReynoldsHouse,1605SunsetTerrace,1940renovationBomar‐CarterHouse,1220BroadAvenue,1944additionWBAP/KXASTV‐RadioStudios,3900BarnettStreet,1948(Spanish/Mediterranean)FortWorthClubBuilding,306W.7thStreet,1953‐54renovation
66Listcompiledfromavarietyofsources,includingArchitectureandDesign:TheWorkofJosephR.Pelich,AIA,Architect,FortWorth,Texas;Cohen,“Pelich,JosephRoman,”HandbookofTexasOnline;TarrantCountyHistoricResourcesSurvey,PhaseIII,FortWorth’sSouthside,(FortWorth:HistoricPreservationCouncilforTarrantCounty,1986);TarrantCountyHistoricResourcesSurvey,NearNorthSide,WestSide,WestoverHills(FortWorth:HistoricPreservationCouncilforTarrantCounty,1988);andCarolRoark,FortWorthCentralBusinessDistrict,(FortWorth:HistoricPreservationCouncilforTarrantCounty,1991).
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CarrChapel—BeasleyHall—BriteHall,TexasChristianUniversity,1953‐54,(GeorgianRevival) SignificanceoftheVanZandtCottageunderCriterionATheVanZandtCottageiseligiblefortheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesatthelocallevelofsignificanceunderCriterionAinthefieldofConservation.ThroughtheeffortsoftheWomen’sDivisionoftheFortWorthFrontierCentennial,aswellastheUnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy,JuliaJacksonChapter#141andtheFrancesCookeVanZandtChapter,DaughtersoftheRepublicofTexas,thecottagewasrestoredin1936asameansofcelebratingthecity’sfrontierheritageinconjunctionwiththestate’sobservanceofthecentennialofTexas’independencefromMexico.Therestorationofthecottage,althoughnotanauthenticrestoration,isimportantasanearly,ifnotthefirst,successfulpublicattempttopreserveabuildingorsiteassociatedwiththecity’spast.Approximatelytwenty‐fiveyearsbeforetherestorationoftheVanZandtCottage,thoughtwasgiventotheacquisitionofthesiteassociatedwiththecity’snamesakefort.In1909,GeorgeE.Kessler,alandscapearchitectfromSt.LouisandKansasCity,Missouri,preparedaparkplanfortheCitythatrecommendedthattheCityacquiretheformerfort’sbluff‐topsite,notonlyasameansofprovidinganappropriatebackdropfortheimpressivegraniteandmarbleedificeoftheTarrantCountyCourthousebutalsoasameansofrecognizingthesite’ssignificancetothecity’shistory.AsKesslerstatedinhisplan,“Aminorfeatureandoneofsentiment,yetimportantinitswayisthefactthatonapartofthisgroundstoodthefortwhichgavethenametothepresentcity;andasthisisanessentialpartoftheviewpointthere,itthoroughlyjustifiesitsacquisition.”However,Kessler’svisionforthecourthouse’ssettingwasneverrealizedanditwouldbedecadesbeforetheCityacquiredaportionofthepropertyuponwhichthefortwassited.67The1930sprovedtobeanimportantdecadefortheemergingpreservationmovementacrossthecountry.FederalprogramscreatedduringFranklinDelanoRoosevelt’sNewDealhelpedlocalcommunitiesbecomeawareofhistoricresourcesofthebuiltenvironment.InanagreementbetweentheNationalParkService,theLibraryofCongress,andtheAmericanInstituteofArchitects,out‐of‐workarchitectsandphotographerswereemployedthroughtheCivilWorksAdministration(CWA)torecordhistoricbuildings,sites,andobjectsdeemedtobeofnationalsignificance“fortheinspirationandbenefitofthepeopleoftheUnitedStates.”KnownastheHistoricAmericanBuildingSurvey(HABS)andestablishedin1934,theprogramproducedthousandsofmeasureddrawings,photographsandwrittenhistories.Althoughfundsfrom“alphabetagencies”suchastheCWA,WPA,PublicWorksAdministration(PWA)andtheCivilianConservationCorps(CCC)weretypicallyusedfornewconstruction,therewereinstanceswhentheywereusedfortherestorationorreconstructionofhistoricbuildingsandstructures.68Asmentionedpreviously,inTexas,numeroushistoricplaceswererestoredorrecreatedinconjunctionwiththecelebrationofthestate’scentennial.Fundingfortheseprojectscamefromavarietyofsources,includingthefederalgovernment,statefundsappropriatedforcentennialobservances,andlocalfunding.
67CopiesofKessler’splanappearedintheFortWorthStar‐TelegramonOctober17,1909andDecember11,1910.
Twodifferentmanuscriptcopiesoftheplan,oneavailablethroughtheFortWorthParksandCommunityServicesDepartmentandoneavailableattheAmonCarterMuseumLibrarymaynotbeoriginalversionsoftheplanasbothhaveatypographicalerrorinthesentencequotedinthisparagraph.Inthemanuscriptcopies,theword“fracture”issubstitutedfortheword“feature.”Aportionofthebluffisnowcontainedwithinthe112.8‐acreHeritagePark.LawrenceHalprin’sHeritageParkPlaza,dedicatedin1980,providesamoderndesignsetinconcreteandwater(whenfunctioning)thatcelebratesthefoundingofthefort,thebluffsandtheTrinityRiver.HeritageParkPlazawaslistedontheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesin2010.
68NormanTaylor,HistoricPreservation:AnIntroductiontoitsHistory,Principles,andPractice(NewYork:W.W.NortonandCompany,2000),pp.40‐41.AmongthenumerousexamplesofWPA‐aidedrestorationandreconstructionprojectsaretheHenryWhitfieldHouse,Guilford,Connecticut(restoration,designatedaNationalHistoricLandmarkin1997foritsassociationwiththeemergingpreservationmovement)andFortGibson,FortGibson,Oklahoma(reconstruction).
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ThefundingsourcefortheVanZandtCottagecamefromanappropriationfromtheBoardofControloftheTexasFrontierCentennial,whichinturnwaslargelyfundedthroughlocalbondsandprivatesubscriptions.69 SpeculationcanbemaderegardingthefactorsthatdrovethemembersoftheWomen’sDivisionoftheTexasFrontierCentennialtoadvocatefortherestorationoftheVanZandtCottage.Inspirationmayhavebeentakenfromotherhistoricpreservationprojectsacrossthestateandnation.OrperhapsafterseveralunsuccessfulattemptstoerectapublicmonumenthonoringConfederatesoldiers,themembersoftheJuliaJacksonChapter#141,UnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacyatlasthadanopportunity(andthefunding)tocommemoratetheachievementsofahighlyesteemedConfederateveteranwhohadcontributedmuchtoFortWorth’sdevelopment.70OrperhapstheopportunityprovidedthewomenwithaprojectwithwhichthepromotersoftheFrontierCentennialhadlittleinterestandtherebygavethemsomeautonomytocommemoratethevanishingfrontier(andthelegacyofConfederateveterans)intheirownway.The1950sbroughtanotherpublic‐privatepartnershipformedforthecauseofhistoricpreservationinFortWorth.Duringthatdecade,thePioneerTexasHeritageCommitteewascreatedoutofagrowingconcernfortherapidlossoflogbuildingsassociatedwiththeNorthTexasfrontier.Thisgroup,alongwiththeTarrantCountyHistoricalSociety,receivedpermissionfromtheFortWorthParkDepartmenttocreateapioneervillageinForestPark(justsouthofTrinityPark).Thegroupselectedsixloghousesdatingfromthemid‐1800stobemovedtothepark.Overthenextfewyears,thehouseswererestored.WhatcametobeknownasLogCabinVillagewasdonatedtotheCityin1965andopenedtothepublicin1966.UnliketheVanZandtCottage,noneofthehouseswereoriginaltothesitebutcollectivelyremainasanearlyexampleofhistoricpreservationinthecity.71InadditiontothebuildingsoftheWillRogersComplex(auditorium,coliseumandtower),theVanZandtCottageremainsahighlyintactandvisiblereminderofthecity’seffortstocommemoratethecentennialofTexas’independencefromMexico.Althoughthefinalresultwasahighlyromanticizedversionofitsformerself,therestoredVanZandtCottageissignificantasanearlyexampleofhistoricpreservation/conservationinFortWorth.
69WithintheAmonG.CarterPapersatSpecialCollections,TexasChristianUniversityLibraryarecopiesoflistsand
letterstoandfromindividualsandbusinesseswhoweresolicitedtopurchasestocksubscriptionstotheFrontierCentennial.SeeBox89“FrontierCentennial”files.
70Likemanyofitssisterchaptersacrossthestate,theJuliaJacksonChapterhadtriedformanyyearstoconstructamonumenttotheConfederacyinFortWorth.Campaignsconductedin1921and1925failed.In1933,thechapterhadaplaquecommemoratingConfederateveteransinstalledinthecity’snewpostofficeonLancasterAvenue.In1939,thechapterfinallyerectedamarblemonumenthonoringthearea’sConfederatesoldiersinOakwoodCemetery’ssectionfortheRobertE.LeeCamp,UnitedConfederateVeterans.Andin1953,ithadagranitemarkerdedicatedtoConfederatesoldiersandtheirdescendantswhofoughtintheSpanish‐AmericanWarandWorldWarIandIIerectedonthecourthouselawn.SeeKellyMcMichael,SacredMemories:TheCivilWarMonumentMovementinTexas(Denton,Texas:TexasStateHistoricalAssociation,2009),p.50andFortWorthStar‐Telegram,May27,1953.
71“HistoryofLogCabinVillage,”LogCabinVillage,FortWorthParksandCommunityServices,http://www.logcabinvillage.org/visit‐about‐us.html(accessedMarch20,2012).
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Bibliography
ArchitectureandDesign:TheWorkofJosephR.Pelich,AIA,Architect,FortWorth,Texas.NewYork:ArchitecturalCatalogueCompany,Inc.,1940.
Carter,AmonG.Papers.Box89,“FrontierCentennial”files.SpecialCollections,TexasChristianUniversityLibrary,
FortWorth,Texas.Cohen,JudithS.“Pelich,JosephRoman.”HandbookofTexasOnline,
(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fpepv),accessedJanuary22,2012.PublishedbytheTexasStateHistoricalAssociation.
DallasMorningNews,May17,1955;August23,1961.FederalWritersProject.“ResearchData”[unpublishedWorksProgressAdministration“HistoryofFortWorth”].
FortWorthLibrary,1941.FortWorthPress,July17,1936(SpecialFrontierCentennialEdition).FortWorthStar‐Telegram,July19,1936(SpecialFrontierCentennialEdition).FortWorthStar‐TelegramCollection,AR406‐7,SpecialCollections,UniversityofTexasatArlingtonLibrary,
Arlington,Texas.Gray,Lois.“HistoryoftheFortWorthFrontierCentennial,”M.A.Thesis,TexasChristianUniversity,May1938.GuedryEdith,Alderman.“HousewarmingtobeHeldinOldVanZandtHomeatCandlelightingTimeSunday,”Fort
WorthPress.July15,1936.__________.“StageCoachPassedVanZandtHome;BeingRestoredforCentennial,”FortWorthPress,June19,1936.Jones,DoraDavenport.TheHistoryoftheJuliaJacksonChapter#141UnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy,Fort
Worth,Texas1897‐1976(FortWorth:Kwik‐KopyPrintingCenter,1976).Kinkade,PatriciaP.“VanZandt,KhleberMiller,”HandbookofTexasOnline,
(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fva13),accessedJune8,2009.PublishedbytheTexasStateHistoricalAssociation.
MacIntosh,P.J.R.“FortWorthFrontierCentennial,”TexasWeekly,April11,1936,pp.6‐7.
MakersofFortWorth.FortWorth,Texas:FortWorthNewspaperArtists’Association,1914.
McAlester,VirginiaandLee.AFieldGuidetoAmericanHouses.NewYork:AlfredA.Knopf,1995.
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Van Zandt Cottage, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
Section 9, Page 31
McMichael,Kelly.SacredMemories:TheCivilWarMonumentMovementinTexas.Denton,Texas:TexasStateHistoricalAssociation,2009.
Myres,SandraL,ed.ForceWithoutFanfare:TheAutobiographyofK.M.VanZandt.FortWorth:TexasChristian
UniversityPress,1968;secondprinting,1995.Olmstead,JacobW.“FromOldSouthtoModernWest:FortWorth’sCelebrationoftheTexasCentennialandthe
ShapingofanUrbanIdentityandImage.”Thesis(Ph.D.),TexasChristianUniversity,FortWorth,Texas,December2011.[UMIthesis,electronicresource].
Pickard,Kelli,Director,LogCabinVillage,FortWorthParksandCommunityServices.InterviewwithSusanAllen
Kline,December15and16,2011;emailcorrespondenceMarch27,March28andMarch29,2012;telephoneinterviewMarch30,2012.
Roark,Carol.FortWorth’sLegendaryLandmarks.FortWorth,Texas:TexasChristianUniversityPress,1995.Sparling,WesleyE.“TexasFrontierCentennial.”HandbookofTexasOnline
(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/lkt03),accessedFebruary12,2012.PublishedbytheTexasStateHistoricalCommission.
Texas.CommissionofControlforTexasCentennialCelebrations,HaroldL.Schoen,compiler.MonumentsErectedby
theStateofTexastoCommemoratetheCentenaryofTexasIndependence.Austin,Texas:CommissionofControlforTexasCentennialCelebrations,1938.
“TexasCentennial,”HandbookofTexasOnline(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/articles/lkt01),accessed
February12,2012.PublishedbytheTexasStateHistoricalAssociation.Thibodeaux,Julie.“FriendsAimtoPreserveVanZandtLegacy,”FortWorthStar‐Telegram,April11,2007.UnitedDaughtersoftheConfederacy,JuliaJacksonChapter#141Collection.FortWorthPublicLibraryArchives,
FortWorth,Texas.“VanZandtCottageMasterPlanUpdate,July19,2005.”PowerPointpresentationcourtesyKelliPickard,Director,
LogCabinVillage,FortWorthParksandCommunityServices.Weinman,ArthurW.,A.I.A.“ReportontheCurrentConditionoftheVanZandtCottagewithRestoration
Suggestions.“March7,2005.Wilder,JohnB.“VANZANDT,ISSAC.”HandbookofTexasOnline
(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fva12).AccessedMarch7,2012.PublishedbytheTexasStateHistoricalAssociation.
“Women’sDivision:TexasFrontierCentennialCelebration,FortWorth,1936‐1937.”Scrapbookcompiledin1951
byMargaretMcLean,PSF[PearlSpearmanFry?]andtheHistoricalSocietyofFortWorth.FortWorthLibraryArchives,FortWorth,Texas.
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VerbalBoundaryDescription:TheboundariesofthenominatedpropertycorrespondwithasurveyconductedofthesiteinJune1966(seeMap3).Thesurveyboundariesaredescribedasfollows:
PartoftheJ.M.C.LynchSurvey,situatedabout1.5milessouthwestfromthecourthouse,inFortWorthinTarrantCounty,Texas;
CommenceatthesouthwestcornerofsaidLynchSurveyandthenrunnorth89degrees‐03minuteseast,alongthesouthlineofsaidsurvey,730‐5/10feetandthenrunnorth28‐3/10feettoagalvanizedironinalineforthenorthlineofCrestlineRoadandforthesouthwestandbeginningcornerofthetractbeingdescribed;
Thencenorth28degrees‐32minuteswest146feettoanironinthesouthlineofrightofwayoftheS.L.S.F.&TRailroadandbeing25feetsoutherlyatrightanglefromitstrackcenter;
Thencenorth72degrees‐58minuteseast,alongsaidrightofwayline,188feettoaniron;Thensouth18degrees‐45minuteseast194‐4/10feettoagalvanizedironinsaidlineforthenorthlineof
CrestlineRoad;Thencenorth89degrees‐43minuteswest,alongsaidstreetline,172‐5/10feettotheplaceofbeginning
andcontaining0‐67/100ofanacre.BoundaryJustification:Theboundariesincludethelandmostcloselyassociatedwiththepropertyatthetimeofthe1936Centennialcelebrationandincludethehouseandnoncontributingresources.
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Map1:TarrantCounty(shaded)islocatedinnorthcentralTexas.
Map2:GoogleEarthmapshowsapproximatelocationoftheVanZandtCottagewithinthecityofFortWorth.
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Map3.Siteplanbasedon1966surveybyBrookesBaker,Surveyors.Thelocationandsizeoftheofficeisnottoscale.Theloghouseshownontheleftsideofthemapisnolongerpresent.Thebathroomadditionontherearofthehousewasremovedin2004.
office
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Figure1:SketchofMajorK.M.VanZandt(courtesyLogCabinVillage,FortWorthParksandCommunityServices).
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Figure2.Basementandfirstfloorplans.FromArthurW.Weinman,A.I.A.“ReportontheCurrentConditionoftheVanZandtCottagewithRestorationSuggestions,”March7,2005.
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Van Zandt Cottage, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
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Figure3.ReflectedCeilingPlan.FromArthurW.Weinman,A.I.A.“ReportontheCurrentConditionoftheVanZandtCottagewithRestorationSuggestions,”March7,2005.
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Van Zandt Cottage, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
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Figure4.Sectionalview.FromArthurW.Weinman,A.I.A.“ReportontheCurrentConditionoftheVanZandtCottagewithRestorationSuggestions,”March7,2005.
United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 Van Zandt Cottage, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas
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Figure5:RecentlyreleasedphotographofthesouthelevationoftheVanZandtCottage,dateundetermined,possibly1910‐1920.CourtesyPenCranz,,FortWorth,Texas.
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Figures6and7:SketchesoftheVanZandtCottagec.1929(CourtesyLogCabinVillage,FortWorthParksandCommunityServices)
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Figure8:Photographofeastandnorthelevations,beforerestoration,April26,1936(Courtesy,FortWorthStar‐TelegramCollection.SpecialCollections,TheUniversityofTexasatArlingtonLibrary,Arlington,Texas,AR406‐6‐#409).
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Figure9:Interiorshowingfireplaceandwallcoveringbeforerestoration,April26,1936(Courtesy,FortWorthStar‐TelegramCollection.SpecialCollections,TheUniversityofTexasatArlingtonLibrary,Arlington,Texas,AR406‐6‐#409).
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Figure10:Southandeastelevations,afterrestoration,August19,1936.,(Courtesy,FortWorthStar‐TelegramCollection.SpecialCollections,TheUniversityofTexasatArlingtonLibrary,Arlington,Texas,AR406‐6‐#437).
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Figure11:Southandeastelevations,c.1960.NotedifferentrooffromthatshowninFigure10andtheadditionofasignhangingfromtheporchroof.PhotobyDanielZurovetz(CourtesyAnnZurovetzandLogCabinVillage,FortWorthParksandCommunityServices).