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ORD 34431 - Landmark Designation - Robbins School C3-97-266 ORDINANCE NO .3 Ve7 AN ORDINANCE to designate the Robbins School at 4302 South 39th Avenue as a landmark pursuant to the Landmark Heritage Preservation Ordinance of the City of Omaha BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OMAHA Section 1 That the Robbins School at 4302 South 39th Avenue, which is on the following described land, to wit Lot 1 through 4, inclusive, Block 12 Hillsdale and Lot 5 through 7, inclusive, Block 317 South Omaha City Lots, subdivisions as surveyed, platted and recorded in the City of Omaha, Douglas County,Nebraska Section 2 That for the reasons cited in Landmark Heritage Preservation Resolution attached hereto as Exhibit "A", and made a part hereof by reference, the architectural characteristics of Robbins School are hereby deemed significant and worthy of preservation Section 3, That the "Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Buildings", as may be from time to time amended, are hereby adopted as the design standards to be applied in the enforcement of this ordinance and Chapter 24,Article II,of the Omaha Municipal Code Section 4 That the Robbins School is hereby designated as a landmark pursuant to Section 24-61 of the Omaha Municipal Code and hereby subject to all of the provisions of this Ordinance and Chapter 24, Article II, of the Omaha Municipal Code ORDINANCE NO _3*73/ PAGE -2- Section 3 That this Ordinance shall be in full force and take effect fifteen (15) days from and after the date of its passage INTROD 7 BY COUNCILMEMBER PPROVEP IY OF OMAHA DATE PASSED `JAN 1 3 1998 '7—U ATTEST d C LEAK OF THE CITY OF OMAHA D Eo APPROVED AS TO FORM ,Y ASSIS"PANT C A RNEY DATE P\PLN2\4802 MAP RESOLUTION - EXHIBIT A THE ROBBINS SCHOOL LANDMARKS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION RESOLVED BY THE LANDMARKS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OMAHA WHEREAS, THI, Inc , d/b/a NuStyle Development is the owner of the Robbins School at 4302 South 39th Avenue, and, WHEREAS, the owner has requested that the Robbins School be designated as a Landmark under the City of Omahas Landmarks Preservation Ordinance, and, WHEREAS,the Robbins School was built in 1910 in the NeoClassical revival style in South Omaha and served residents of a newly established and growing Polish immigrant area dominated by the livestock industry, and, WHEREAS, the details evidenced in NeoClassical revival style include projecting pedimented central porticoes or overhangs with detailed columns and moldings, and symmetrical massing, and, WHEREAS, Robbins School is one of the best remaining NeoClassical revival style buildings left in the city with its projecting central pedimented portico, pilasters, Palladian window, detail cornice, and beltcourses, and, WHEREAS, it is the intent of the owner to use the structure as apartments, and, WHEREAS, this case application and supporting data are attached hereto as exhibits, and incorporated herein by this reference NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LANDMARKS HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF OMAHA THAT,the Robbins School,4302 South 39th Avenue, be designated a Landmark of the City of Omaha P\PLN2\4803 MAF Robbins School . 7. Robbins School � a; W.�--- x #, � National Register/Local _ r- of: nif.t. s,,�, _, Landmark nominations 4302 South 39th Avenue 3' _ 1910 z= . j �Y �'. r" t F 1910 ssical Revival 3 • SL% . T c Robbins School was built in the NeoClassical revival style in South Omaha in 1910 and served residents of a newly estab- lished and growing Polish immigrant area dominated by the livestock industry Originally named Franklin School, when South Omaha was annexed by Omaha in 1915, its name changed to South Franklin because Omaha already had a Franklin School The building received its present name in 1928 when two young local boys• named Robbins, rushed into their burning house to save their invalid mother One of the young boys died in his heroic attempt, the second survived only to be killed later in the same year in an unrelated sled- ding accident In 1893 the popularity of NeoClassical revival ' styles were boosted by the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago when the classics were revisited in the White City ti and became immensely popular and typically American This resurgence did not pass Omaha by with nearly 111 sites idenu- fied with classical architectural details and ornaments in local surveys Typical details evidenced in NeoClassical revival 1\� ` style include projecting pedimented central porticoes or over- hangs with detailed columns and moldings, and symmetrical massing Robbins School is one of the best remaining x£ e• NeoClassical revival style buildings left in the city with its projecting central pedimented portico, pilasters, Palladian win- dow, detailed cornice, and beltcourses The school was closed in May 1994 and has stood vacant since that time though cur- rent plans include its renovation into housing NPS Form 10-900 - OMB No 1024-001 (Rev 104)0) United State Department of the Intenor National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form 'Bus form is for use in nominating or requesting determmahons for ndividual properties and dtsmca See instructions m How to Complete the National Register of Historic.Places Registration Form(National Register Bulletin 16A) Complete each item by marking"x"m the apptopnate box or by entering the mtorrnanon requested If any item does not apply to the property being documented,enter"N/A"for"not applicable" For functions,archnrcmral classification,materials,and areas of significance,enter only caregones and subcategones from the instructions Place additional cranes and narrative items on connmuanon sheets(NPS Form 10-900a) Use a typewriter,word processor,or computer to complete all items 1 Name of Property histonc name Franklin School. 1910 / SouthFranklut School. 1915 / Robbins Sch 1928 other names/sue number N/A 2. ',oration street&number 4302 S. 39th Ave. not for publication [ I city or town Omaha vicinity [ state Nebraska code NE county Douglas code zip code l State/Federal Agpnry Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986,as amended,I hereby certify that this 0 nomination 0 request for determnanon of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Histonc Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60 In my opinion,the property 0 meets[I does not meet the National Register Cntena I recommend that this property he considered significant 0 nationally 0 statewide 0 locally (0 See continuation sheet for additional comments) Signature of certifying official Date Director Nebraska State Histoncal Society State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion,the property 0 meets 0 does not meet the National Register cntena (I]See continuation sheet for additional comments) Signature of cenifymg official/Title Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification I, hereby certify that this property is 0 entered in the National Register 0 See continuation sheet 0 determined eligible for the National Register 0 See continuation sheet 0 determined not eligible for the National Register [I removed from the National Register 0 other, (explain) Signature of Keeper Date of Action Robbins'school Doualas County NE Name of Property County and State 5 Classification Ownership of Property Category of Property Number of Resources within Property (Check as many boxes as apply) (Check only one box) (Do not include previously listed resources in the count) [x] private [x] butldtng(s) Contributing Noncontributing Q public-local Q district 1 buildings Q public-state Q site sites Q public-Federal Q structure structures I] object objects 1 Total Name of related multiple property listing Number of contributing resources previously listed (Enter"N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing) in the National Register N/A 0 6 Function nr Ike Historic Functions Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) (Enter categories from instruction) EDUCATION. school VACANT. not in use 7 Description Architectural Classification Materials (Enter categories from instructions) (Enter categories from instructions) LATE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY REVIVALS. foundation brick Classical Revival walls brick roof asphalt/tar other concrete/pressed metal Narrative Description (Describe the tustonc and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets) S Robbins School " Douglas County NE Name of Property County and State S Statementof Significance Applicable National Register Criteria Areas of Significance (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the cntena qualifying the property for National (Enter categones from insmstions) Register listing) [x] A Property is associated with events that have made a Education Architecnrre significant contribution to the broad patters of our history 0 B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. [xi C Property embodies the distinctive charactenstics 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 distmguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction Period of Significance 1910-1947 [) 6 Property has yielded, or is likely to yield information important in prehistory or history Criteria Considerations Significant Dates (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) 1910. 1916. 1922 Property is 0 A owned by a religious institution or used for religious purposes Significant Person [] B removed from its original location. (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) 0 C a birthplace or a grave N/A [] D a cemetery Cultural Affiliation E a reconstructed building, object, or structure N/A F a commemorative property G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years Architect/Budder unknown Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets) 9 Major Bibliographical References Bibliography (Cite the books,articles, and other sources used m preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets) Previous documentation on file (NPS): Primary Location for Additional Data: 0 preliminary determination of individual listing 0 State Historic Preservation Office 136 CFR 67) has been requested. 0 Other State agency 0 previously listed in the National Register 0 Federal agency 0 previously determined eligible by the National [x] Local government Register 0 University 0 designated a National Historic Landmark 0 Other 0 recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey Name of repository y Omaha City Planning Department 0 recorded by Historic American Engineering Record# atilt_ 431 Robbins jchool - Douglas County,NE Name of Property County and State 10 Geographical Data Acreage of Property Jess than 1 UTM References (place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet) Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing 1. 15 250 800 4566 840 3. 2. 4. 0 See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Descnption (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet) Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet) 11 Form Prepared By name/tale Melissa A. Dirr organization Omaha City Planning date August 1997 street & number 1819 Farnam telephone 14021 444-5210 city or town Omaha state NE zip code 68108 Additional Documentation Submit the followmg items with the completed form Continuation Sheets Maps A USGS map (7 5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. A Sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources Photographs Representative black and white photographs of the property Additional items (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) Property Owner (Complete this nem at the request of the SHPO or FPO) name/title THI. Inc d/b/a/ NuStvle Development street&number 309 S 16th Street telephone (402) 345-8000 city or town Omaha state NE zip code 68102 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 470 et seq) Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18 1 hours per response including the time for reviewing instructions,gathennt and maintaining data,and completing and reviewing the form Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the chief,Admmustrative Services Division,National Park Service P 0 Box 37127,Washington,DC 20013-7127,and the Office of Management and Budget Paperwork Reductions Project(1024- 0018) Washington, DC 20503 NPS Foim i0-900-a OMB No 1024-0018 (8-86) Umtec States Department of the Intenor National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Robbins School Name of Property Douglas County. NE county and State Section 10 Page l Constructed in 1910, with a 1916 addition, the Robbins School is an excellent example of the Neo-Classical Revival style with its projecting pedimented main entrance and symmetrical facade The two-and-a-half story building has an irregular footpnnt and is constructed of dark red and blonde bricks with poured concrete beltcourses, lintels, and brick foundation The school is located in South Omaha on an entire block facing 39th Avenue to the north, Hillsdale Avenue to the east "I" Street to the west and 40th Avenue to the south Though vacant, the building's structural and architectural integnty remains very good The original portion of the building has a symmetrical rectangular floorplan with a highly formalized and ornamented projecting central pedimented portico flanked by three bay wings Symmetrical massing on the main facade is reminiscent of Georgian Revival styles, but the main features are neo-classically denved and predominate the form, detail and overall effect The main architectural details of the building include the ornate pedimented portico and cornice Simple uncut modillions and dentil molding demarcate the cornice encompassing the building Capping the central pediment are two ancon brackets supporting an antefix from which nses the original flagpole, and a cartouche is located in the tympanum Blonde colored brick quoins set the central projection off from the rest of the building Separating the gabled pediment from the main body of the building is a poured concrete beltcourse below which lies a half circle fanlight window with two square rosettes on either side This ornamental fenestration rests on top of tripartite window grouping divided by panelled pilasters to give the appearance of a Palladian window located on the second floor directly above the main entrance doors A date plate and the words "19 Public School 10" in bas relief on the architrave above the main entrance provides physical evidence of its completion date and function Fenestration on the main facade consists of three openings on either side of the projection each consisting of single pane double hung sashes with poured concrete lintels and arched brick window caps All bricks on the main body of the building are a dark red vanegated color with blonde variegated brick quoins and later additions constructed of blonde bnck Two additions were added in 1916 and 1922 and kept with the style of the original building including brick quoins, concrete lintels, arched window caps, and detailed cornices These features help to visually unify the building and makes the transition from one addition to the next very smooth The only intrusion is a 1976 temporary metal building added to the east side This building is connected to the historic school through a back doorway After additions were completed the school was renovated in 1967 and again in 1976 These renovations focused solely on interior upgrading Currently the school retains its ongmal wood floors, chalk boards, intenor crown molding, and trim, and is in very good condition Currently the building is not in use after having been vacated by the school in May of 1994 Because of this the windows and main entrance are boarded to protect the remaining unbroken panes The building itself stands in good condition and retains a high degree of historic integnty NPS Fotm 10.900-4 - OMB No 1024-0018 (8-86) Umtec States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Robbins School Name of Property Douglas County,NE County and State Section 10 Page 2 STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE The Robbins School is locally significant under cntenon A for its contribution to the educational system of South Omaha, then Omaha proper after its annexation, and cntenon C as an excellent local example of Neo- Classical Revival architecture Constructed in 1910 in South Omaha the school served residents of a newly established and growing Polish immigrant area dominated by meatpacking and the livestock industry The Neo- ('lassical Revival architectural style is represented in Omaha mostly through its public buildings and accents on pnvate residences such as porticoed entrances and porches This building represents an excellent local example of the remaining Neo-Classical Revival style properties in the city and retains a high degree of historic integnty South Omaha was a booming town rich in the cattle industry and immigrant culture This city was autonomous from Omaha with its provisions of large livestock yards and the livestock exchange industry which thrived well into the twentieth century and is still an integral part of the identification of this area of the city South Omaha's population boom is attributed to the success of the cattle industry, and the rich immigrant culture was bolstered by the ever present need for labor at the packing houses Omaha successfully annexed South Omaha in 1915 after several other attempts and with much controversy at the same time as the Dundee community It was at this time that the school came under the control of the Omaha school board The annexation of these two communities increased the school buildings in Omaha by fourteen to 54 buildings Robbin's School was constructed to serve a growing neighborhood pnmanly of Polish immigrants At the time of its construction much of the area was still accessed by simple dirt roads, but with the booming immigrant population education facilities for the children were necessary The graceful four room Neo-Classical Revival style building was constructed in 1910 to serve kindergarten through fourth grade and was named Franklin School This new building resided on the highest point in the neighborhood A neighboring school, Lowell School located at 33rd and "J" Streets, served children in fifth through eighth grades When South Omaha was annexed by Omaha in 1915, the school's name was officially changed to South Franklin since there was already a Franklin School in the Omaha system As the area continued to grow and neighborhoods became established, more active parents began to petition for four new rooms at South Franklin School Soon, Lowell School, serving the fifth through eighth graders was sold to the Catholic church to replace an old wood frame school and as a result four new rooms were added to South Franklin in 1916 to accommodate the influx of students and appease the petitioning parents The school was complete with its final addition of six rooms in 1922 When the building's additions were complete the school administration began to focus on educational development and maintenance Beginning in 1924 adult education classes specializing in "Amencamzation" were instituted to serve the large immigrant population A Polish immigrant himself, Anthony Zaleski administered this program The school received its current name, Robbins's School, after a local tragedy when two young 'boys, named Robbins, who attended the school died The two boys ran into their burning house to rescue their ' invalid mother, killing one and seriously injuring the other Tragedy stayed with the family, however when later Ai NPS Fc rrn 10.900-a OMB No 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Intenor National Park Service National Register of Histonc Places Continuation Sheet Robbins School Name of Property Dogas County,NE County and State Section 10 Page 3 in the same year the surviving son died in an unrelated sledding accident Today a bronze plaque placed by the Board of Education in 1928 resides in the front hail commemorating their heroic actions The name of the school was officially changed in their honor on March 5, 1928 from South Franklin to Robbins Robbins school remains the only school in the city named in memory of children February 25, 1932 saw the organization of a Parent Teacher Association whose goal it was to improve the ; chhol grounds Dirt roads with wooden sidewalks leading to the building were cmdered to enhance the safety of children as they traveled to and from school This not only improved the school but enhanced the entire area Other public contributions included the first adult education classes held in 1936, a safety patrol, school newspaper, and the organization of the first school library in the same year Especially popular were scout and campfire troops since 50 percent of students were contained in kindergarten and first grade Mabel Thomas, a passionate kindergarten teacher educated local priests on the importance of these two grades causing them to recommend:d sending children to the school before they entered Catholic school in second grade This is significant as kindergarten was not considered a necessary part of elementary education until well into the 1950's The school continued its active role in education until it was closed on May 1, 1994 Currently, the building stands vacant ARCHITECTURE Robbins School is an excellent example of Classical Revival architecture, and one of the best in the city Neo- Classical Revival architecture experienced a resurgence of popularity as a reflection of the White City at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago Nationwide Classical Revival styles were reacting to the excessive ornament and asymmetry evidenced in Victorian era details Ornamental echoes from the Classical era lead the way to a more formalized, simple, and symmetrical building character The popularity of this movement in Omaha is evidenced by approximately 111 sites with classical architectural details identified in local surveys Omaha's examples date from as early 1886 to 1925 Of the 111 buildings identified most are residences with Classical details and are not eligible for the National Register or need further evaluation Some of Omaha's other ,prominent Neo-Classical buildings include the Burlington Station (National Register, 1974), Clarinda-Page Apartments (Local Landmark), and Packers National Bank (National Register, 1985) Within this local context the Robbins School is significant as one of the best and truest surviving examples of the style in the city with ties to South Omaha The original four room building set the tone for the later additions to Robbins School Beautifully detailed with Classical Revival style ornaments and massing reflecting the Georgian Revival period specifically, the large building anchors the neighborhood with its location on one of the highest points of land This school is one of the most outstanding examples of this architectural style in the city and is the only public school that illustrates the style so clearly Neo-Classical Revival style buildings tend to be larger in scale than Greek Revival buildings and not as ornamented as Beaux-Arts buildings They are typified by pedimented porticoesslmteled windows, and Greek order detailing Generally this is an understated, simple, and graceful style that lends subtlety and symmetry to its NPS Fonn 10-900-4 OMB No 1024-0018 (8-86) United States Department of the Intenor National Park Service National Register of Histonc Places Continuation Sheet Robbins School Name of Property Douglas County,NE County and State Section 10 Page 4 buildings The popularity of the style was boosted by the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago when the Classics were revisited in the White City and became immensely popular and typically American Building construction began to turn away from the highly manufactured detailing of the Victorian era toward more formal styles incorporating simple symmetry and classical detailing Robbins School was constructed in the autonomous city of South Omaha prior to its annexation into Omaha, aud, therefore, building records are scarce and difficult to find At this point no architect has been attributed to the building, although it was most certainly designed by one This school was built during a boom time in public education and the city of Omaha retains detailed lists of the public schools and their architects For example, John Latenser, a prominent school architect designed over 30 schools in Omaha and at least one commercial building in South Omaha, though his style differed in fenestration symmetry by this time which excludes him No other architect was as prolific a designer in the area of schools as Latenser so attribution becomes difficult Unfortunately the city records for South Omaha are no longer extant, and thorough research has not uncovered any evidence as to an architect BIBLIOGRAPHY "History of Robbins School, 1910-1966" Omaha Department of Education (typewritten) Qjorkman, Lynn South Omaha Historic District National Register nomination, Omaha City Planning Department, August , 1988 Johnson, Niel M "South Omaha A Brief History " Omaha Teacher Corps Project Omaha 1977 Whiffen, Marcus "American Architecture Since 1780 A Guide to the Styles " M I T Press, 1969 BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION The Robbins School resides on a full block fronting on 39th Avenue to the north, Hillsdale Avenue to the east, NPS Form 10-900-a OMB No 1024-0018 (8-86) a - - _United States Department of the Intenor National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Robbins School Name of Property Douglas County,NE County and State Section 10 Page 5 "I" Street to the west and 40th Avenue to the south No other buildings are located on this block BOUNDARY JUSTIFICATION This boundary was chosen because it is the onginal lot and location of the school building and retains all onginal features of the property `~ wig 0 1112 1 ® C FR rz Li cg � 6 6) Ctird 7. tr. 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