Historic Preservation Commission Agenda and Packet 2021 03 15

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SUMMARY: The applicant requests a finding of probable cause for landmark designation to allow for funding of a historic structure assessment for 928 La Farge. Under Resolution No. 2, Series 2014, 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 Bridget Bacon, Louisville Historical Museum Antonio and Libra Porto acquired the propertied directly from Jefferson Place developer Charles Welch, recording the warranty deed in 1897. The building is located on the 1893 Sanborn map. This house appears in the correct location on the 1893, 1900, and 1908 Sanborn maps (although the north side of the house is not shown on any of these three maps), and on the 1909 Drumm's Wall Map. The Boulder County Assessor card from 1948 gives 1905 as the date of construction, but this would have been a date estimated long after the fact, and contradicts the other date from the County of 1890. The house clearly appears to have been on this site by 1893 at the latest. Based on the foregoing evidence, the construction year is likely circa 1890. The Porta family was certainly among the first Italian families to settle in Louisville. Antonio Porta is listed in the 1892 Louisville directory as already being a Louisville resident. Antonio Porta (1852-1931) and Libra Porta (1852-1937) immigrated to the U.S. in the 1880s. Antonio and Libra's son, Henry, married Edith Zarini, daughter of Joseph and Virginia Zarini of 824 La Farge in Jefferson Place. Henry and Edith lived at 917 La Farge. Antonio Porta was a coal miner, while Libra Giorzelli Porta was a midwife who delivered babies in Louisville. Many members of the community called her "Zia," which is Italian for "Aunt." During the period of 1939 to 1952, this home was owned by Fred Eberharter. He was the son of Louis and Martha Eberharter and grew up on La Farge in Jefferson Place. Paul Boyce (1906-1982) and Martha Boyce (1907-1982) owned 928 La Farge from 1952 until Paul Boyce's death in 1988. The Boyces came to Louisville from Kansas in 1930 or the early 1930s. Paul Boyce was a coal miner who worked at the Centennial Mine, Hi -Way Mine, and Eagle Mine, then became a carpenter after the end of the coal mining era. Previous owners had found a miner's lunch pail etched with the name of Paul Boyce in the home. In 2009, this home was one of five historic homes on the Louisville Holiday Home Tour organized by the Louisville Historical Commission and Historical Museum. The property is located within the Jefferson Place subdivision, the first residential subdivision in Louisville. 13