Johnson, Charles, House
301 E. 35th St., Houston, TXThe Charles Johnson House (c. 1915) is a representative example of an early 20th-century vernacular L-plan form similar to many houses in Independence Heights. Charles Johnson, also known as "Charlie," was one of three icemen who provided an important service to residents of Independence Heights as early as 1915 through the 1920s. Typical of many Independence Heights businesses, Johnson operated the delivery service out of his home.
The Charles Johnson House (c.1915) is among the earliest houses in Independence Heights and one of the most intact examples of the L-plan vernacular form. As lots were sold in Independence Heights, some new homeowners selected traditional forms for construction. Johnson probably used one of the local builders from Independence Heights who was familiar with this form. The Johnson family and subsequent owners have maintained the property making it one of the most intact examples in the community.
Charles Johnson, known locally as "Charlie," operated one of three ice delivery businesses in Independence Heights. During the early part of the century, ice was an important commodity that facilitated the refrigeration of food items. As is typical of many small black businesses, ice delivery required small investments and little overhead expenses making it an ideal small business to operate out of the home. Likewise, the nature of ice required frequent and repeated service to clients thereby insuring a regular business income. Johnson is remembered as the most successful and probably earliest of the icemen in Independence Heights.
The Charles Johnson House retains sufficient integrity to represent the vernacular L-plan form and demonstrate the Ethnic Heritage of the early 20th century.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.