National Register Listing

Parker, James F. and Susie R., House

3906 Ave. D, Austin, TX

Constructed in 1927 by the Kuntz-Sternenberg Lumber Co. for James F. and Susie R. Parker, the dwelling at 3906 Avenue is an outstanding local example of bungalow architecture. A product of the period of most intense residential development in Hyde Park, the Parker House features decorative treatments from the design idiom of the Bungalow style that distinguish it over other, less elaborate bungalows. Among these are ornamental knee brackets, porch detailing including brick piers surmounted by tapered box supports with elegant geometric caps, and decorative geometric screen treatments. As these original design elements survive unaltered, the bungalow is nominated under Criterion C as one of most intact and best preserved examples in Hyde Park.

The property at 3906 Avenue D was part of a series of lots in Block 10 of the Hyde Park Addition No. 2 owned and improved by E.O. Miller by 1915. In that year he conveyed four lots to J.K. and Vera E. Harrison (DR 224:541; DR 313:78). Although modest improvements existed at 3906 Avenue D as early as 1924 (DR 362:87), deed records suggest that these had been removed by 1927. On May 2, 1927, the Kuntz-Sternenberg Lumber Co. agreed to erect a l-story house for J.F. and Susie R. Parker for $2321.90 (Mechanics' Liens 391:349), a price in line with other similar houses constructed by the company at 404 West 43rd, 4009 and 4408 Avenue A, 3906, 4109, 4113 and 4403 Avenue C, 4107 Avenue F, 4011 Avenue G, and 4304 Avenue H.

The Parkers lived only briefly at 3906 Avenue D before Susie Parker died. Thereafter, James Parker lived on Speedway and rented out the house on Avenue D. Subsequent owners included Lloyd W. Payne and T.E. Wiley (1943-1944), James H. and Lovie M. Haynes (1944), L.V. and Vada Bearden (1944-1978) and William T. and Ruth Reeder, Jr. (1978- ).

Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

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.