Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2025 08 18

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SUMMARY: The applicant requests finding probable cause for landmark designation to allow for funding of a historic structure assessment for 720 Grant Street. Under Resolution No. 17, Series 2019, a property may be eligible for reimbursement for a historic structure assessment (HSA) from the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) if the Historic Preservation Commission finds "probable cause to believe the building may be eligible for landmarking under the criteria in section 15.36.050 of the Louisville Municipal Code." Further, "a finding of probable cause under this Section is solely for the purposes of action on the pre-landmarking building assessment grant request, and such finding shall not be binding upon the HPC, City Council or other party to a landmarking hearing." HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Information from Gigi Yang, Louisville Historical Museum The history of 720 Grant highlights two notable families in Louisville History. The earliest history of the Robinson and Ferguson families that spans 46 years and the role of George Robinson in significant historical events during the Long Strike and the murder of Victor Helburg. Also notable is the second phase of the house as a parish for the United Pentecostal Church in the 1950s-1960s. The earliest deed for Lots 6 & 7, Block 7 of the Pleasant Hill Addition is from Orrin Welch to John George Robinson in 1904. Robinson, who went by George (1872-1927) was born in Northumberland, England and came to the US in 1878 as a young boy with his parents. Robinson was the Town Marshal when Deputy Marshal and Justice of the Peace, Victor Helburg was shot and killed by Frank Balistrere in 1915. George Robinson was also involved in the United Mine Workers and the fight at the Hecla Mine that occurred in April of 1914, shortly after the Ludlow Massacre. By all accounts, George Robinson was well -loved and respected in the Louisville community. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Methodist Church, and the Boulder Elks Lodge. His wife, Margaret Ferguson, was also actively engaged in the social life of the town with an interest in domestic life and charity. Throughout the 1920s, she led sewing projects, made hats, and dress forms to aid rural communities. Most of the Robinson children lived in Louisville until the 1940s. After their deaths, the children sold 720 Grant to Thomas Davies and Rachel Ann Penry Davies in 1950. In 1952, the United Pentecostal Church or Apostolic Church purchased the house at 720 Grant from the Thomas Davies estate for use as a parsonage. The first pastor to live at 720 Grant was William LaRue who came from Pueblo, CO with his wife and 18- month-old son. In 1975, the United Pentecostal Church sold the property to Tony Evanoff, Jr. and Pamela Sue Domenico Evanoff. The Evanoffs only lived at 720 Grant for two years before moving to Rock Springs, WY. However, Tony Evanoff's grandparents (Stephen and Eva Drake Evanoff) came from Bulgaria and had lived in Louisville since 1922. Pamela Sue Domenico moved from Longmont to Louisville as a teenager in the 1960s. Pamela and Tony married in 1967