Copyright 2024 Susan Burneson. All rights reserved. Kindly talk with us before reproducing any website content. (More neighborhood history beginning here.)
Hope you enjoy this look back at 2024 and earlier – with a few of my own stories thrown in for good measure – a riff on my 2012 blog posts about neighbors blooming where they are planted, in their own community. – Susan
JANUARY 21 • Original Brentwood neighbor Ben Petmecky’s oral history interview was published on Voices of the Violet Crown. Ben, who lived a creative, generous, and unconventional life, was interviewed by Susan and Rob in 2009 when he was 86. He lived on Joe Sayers Avenue in the mid-1950s and was eager to share his stories with us. Contacted in early 2024 by Ben’s only granddaughter, Susan shared the transcript and photos, documents, and stories about Ben and their family with her. She lives outside Texas, never had the chance to meet him, and wanted to learn all she could. After Ben died in 2011, Hugh, his partner for more than 50 years, sent this note to Susan and Rob –
We are happy to have the DVD of Ben talking about some of the good old days. Thank you for it.
FEBRUARY 25 • Black History Month Open House, at the historic Moore-Hancock Farmstead, at 4811 Sinclair in the Rosedale neighborhood. The site, built in 1849, is a local, state, and national historic landmark and is the last remaining log cabin structure in Austin on its original site. The property, and many acres around it, once was owned by Texas lawyer, judge, and legislator John Hancock. (See also March 31, April 21, and October 19.)
MARCH 2 AND NOVEMBER 2 • Friends of Brentwood Park, founded in 2009, again held two successful It’s My Park Day events this year. The park workdays were coordinated locally by original FOBP member Kat Correa, with other longtime and many new volunteers participating. It’s My Park Day is a city-wide project of the Austin Parks Foundation.
MARCH 22 • About the former farmers’ market at 6700 Burnet Road and stonemason Frank Wright, shared with The Dazed Group/Austin Edition-Pieces Of The Past –
You might remember stone-and-metal buildings in the 6700 block of north Austin, between Burnet Road and Burnet Lane. From the late 80s on and off until 2012, they housed a farmers’ market. Although a sign at the Burnet Lane entrance read “Austin’s Historic Farmers’ Market,” the buildings never received that designation. They were built in the 1940s, after Travis County purchased the land. For 40 years, they housed a county maintenance facility. The stonework always intrigued me. Then I learned about Benjamin Franklin (Frank) Wright, a stonemason and builder who created homes and businesses in our area (some still standing, including the one above at West 49th and Grover) – likely the farmers’ market buildings, too. In 2014, the buildings were considered for historic status. Instead, they were approved for demolition, eventually replaced by the Marq on Burnet, with one large tree on the north side preserved.
MARCH 31 • Old Time Jam, coordinated by the Austin Friends of Traditional Music and Sharon Isaac, at the historic Moore-Hancock Farmstead, at 4811 Sinclair in Rosedale. (See also February 25, April 21, and October 19.)
APRIL 3 • Remembering historic preservationist Daniel Hardy, shared with The Dazed Group –
I was inspired by a recent post with photo by Danny Hardy to say more about him. He died far too young, at age 42. He was a joy to work with and made significant contributions to historic preservation in Austin and throughout Texas and the U.S. He also was a founding member of the Capital City Men’s Chorus. According to his 1993 obituary, he co-founded the historic preservation consulting firm Hardy-Heck-Moore in 1983 (now known as HHM & Associates). During his too-brief career, he documented 40,000 historic properties and nominated more than 6,000 to the National Register of Historic Places. In 1992, the Texas Historical Commission presented him with its Award of Excellence in Preserving History.
APRIL 21 • The historic Moore-Hancock Farmstead, at 4811 Sinclair in Rosedale, was featured on the 2024 Preservation Austin Homes Tour. (See also February 25, March 31, and October 19.)
MAY 2 • Revisiting Domino, shared with The Dazed Group –
Whenever May rolls around, I think of the first time I learned about Domino. In 2003, the young pig was supposed to be in the petting zoo at the very first Violet Crown Festival in Brentwood Park. Those of us setting up the event were surprised to hear someone yell, “The pig is loose!” He made a beeline across the park and escaped into the neighborhood. He spent time as a neighbor’s pet and then was returned to the country.
An unlikely neighborhood legend, he lives on – in local tales of Domino sightings while he was loose; in a painting; in several website stories; as a mosaic on the Wall of Welcome in Crestview; in the book Domino’s Dots; and as a 10-foot-long, papier-mâché puppet. The well-loved puppet led neighbors in the Procession of the Violet Crowns at two First Night Austin parades. He also was documented in the film First Night W/ Domino & Friends and made regular appearances at the festival and other community events.
In 2023, Domino’s image was tattooed on the arm of a young KUT producer. He was inspired by Domino’s story as he researched the roots of the term “violet crown” for an ATXplained Live presentation last October. Who knows where Domino will turn up next.
Also on May 2, the related blog post “Domino & The Little Red Hen” was updated on VVC.
MAY 20 • The Crestview Neighborhood Association held its first in-person monthly membership meeting since the COVID pandemic.
AUGUST • The bimonthly Brentwood Neighborhood Association Newsletter began adding a list of neighborhood groups to its “Community” pages – the Buy Nothing Project, Crestview & Brentwood Neighbors ATX, Friends of Brentwood Park, Voices of the Violet Crown, and Violet Crown Community Works (see page 4).
AUGUST 6 • Acknowledging family –
This is what I love about genealogy – I recently heard from a distant cousin, after not being in touch for more than 20 years. She mentioned she knew my older cousins Helen and Lorenz Kenner. They never married and lived on the large family farm in Lithium, Missouri, until Helen died in 1964 and Lorenz in 1973. I found their college yearbook photos online and compared them to a 1941 Kenner family reunion photo I had. The two people who had never been identified in it turned out to be Helen and Lorenz. From newspaper articles, I learned they were the most active in organizing Kenner family reunions in Missouri and Illinois from the 1920s to the 1940s. No doubt they did it for the love of family and not for the acknowledgment. It feels right for me to acknowledge them now.
A longer piece about Helen and Lorenz appears in the Perry County (Missouri) Historical Society Heritage annual, published in November 2024.
AUGUST 9 • Seizing the day, no matter what age you are –
For two decades, I helped longtime Austinites Dick and Coleen Hardin with their genealogy. Coleen, Dick, and I produced four family history books together. They were in their 80s and 90s, and I was in my 50s and 60s. I treasure all the stories, laughter, and wisdom they shared. A few months ago, a neighbor I’ve known 20 years was doing work at our house. He said to me as he left, “We’re getting old!” I was at a loss for words. Now, I think of Coleen and Dick and other older friends who lived fully for decades after the age we are now, and I remind myself, “And, if we choose, we still have so much to offer.”
AUGUST 28 • An Austin writer’s comments on the VVC post “Just What Is a Violet Crown?” –
It is as tireless as it is heartfelt and comprehensive. You understand and care for this subject with a granularity that I admire deeply . . . This is a labor of love and I have a great respect and appreciation for it . . . Your work was/is a resource to me for work, sure. But reading through your discoveries brought me joy on a personal level as a history nerd. Your inspiration is an inspiration to me.
SEPTEMBER 2 • The Brentwood Neighborhood Children’s Labor Day Parade was held at Brentwood Park on Monday, September 2, coordinated by the Brentwood Neighborhood Association.
SEPTEMBER 9 • Remembering John Leffler, shared with The Dazed Group –
John Leffler was a longtime Brentwood resident, Texas historian, and author. He and my husband made a few films together. In 2004, John and I interviewed J. D. Harper, longtime owner of Crestview Pharmacy (as of 2024, The Violet Crown wine bar and coffee shop). John died far too young in 2015. In 2020, his son David wrote a warm remembrance of his dad for Austin Monthly. In it, he describes him this way: “In the years since [his death], I’ve gained a heightened appreciation for my dad – his love of nature, his insatiable thirst for knowledge, his persistent desire to not only connect with, but truly understand, the people and places around him. He was a genuine character, the kind of person whose presence lingers long after they’ve departed.” He was, and it has.
SEPTEMBER 28 • Good neighbors Neb and Helen Parson, shared with The Dazed Group –
For National Good Neighbor Day, here’s a story about two of our favorite neighbors – Neb and Helen Parson. They lived on Morrow in Crestview between 1970 and 1995.
Neb always had an abundance of tools and farm implements, and he planted a good-sized garden behind his garage, where it got the most sun. Helen knew the art of soul-satisfying home cooking, and every year she preserved the harvest from Neb’s garden. Most of the time, they worked together in an easy rhythm, although they clearly disagreed about exactly what to plant during different phases of the moon. Occasionally, one of them would call us on the phone and say, “Meet me at the fence.” As they did with so many other neighbors, they’d share with us just-picked vegetables from the garden, a home-cooked meal, tools for a project, or news of the family or neighborhood.
After Neb and Helen moved away, the coral honeysuckle that everywhere else had grown up and beyond the fence never filled in where they “met us at the fence” and showed us just how easy it was to be a good neighbor. Ernest Tubb, the Texas Troubadour, said it well: “Be better to your neighbors, and you’re gonna have better neighbors, doggone ya.” Neb and Helen had that one down!
OCTOBER 5 • The value of community, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene –
A spark of light after Helene – Yesterday, I was talking by phone with a customer service representative, and there was a pause. She began telling me about her sister, who moved to the Asheville, North Carolina, area a few years ago because of the low risk of hurricanes, compared to eastern parts of the state. The woman I spoke with had visited the area, with all its beauty, just before Helene hit. Her sister’s home was spared, but a tree fell over the only street into the neighborhood, and they have no electricity or access to other basic necessities.
Still, all the neighbors have come together to help each other in any way they can. Two neighbors were planning to have their wedding in a local church today, but guests couldn’t get there. The couple decided to go ahead with it at their house, with one neighbor helping with last-minute tailoring of the wedding dress, one neighbor filling in as photographer, and all the neighbors attending as guests. Somehow the minister was able to make his way there, and flowers were donated by a local grocery store. Sounds like a very memorable day.
OCTOBER 19 • Open house at the historic Moore-Hancock Farmstead, 4811 Sinclair in Rosedale. Visitors toured the original log house, small log barn, rock summer kitchen with root cellar, and hand-dug well. Archeologists from the Travis County Archeological Society conducted an excavation for historical artifacts. (See also February 25, March 31, and April 21.)
OCTOBER 27 • About Crestview knotty pine, shared with The Dazed Group –
About a year ago, we heard that a local media company was looking for a home with original kitchen cabinets that had never been refinished. We’ve lived in our house, built in 1955, almost 40 years. We have kept the OG knotty pine cabinets, unable to decide what else to do with them. Our procrastination paid off. In October 2023, the media company shot a commercial here and at other Austin locations for the Mass Mutual Foundation.
Our house also had knotty pine paneling around our large back windows. In late May of this year, that wall sustained water damage. Some of the paneling had to be removed, and we hoped to rebuild it. Lots of Crestview homes had knotty pine cabinets and paneling when they were built beginning in the late 40s. Not much of it is left. We found two neighbors with a few pieces they were willing to give us. In the end, we knew it would never look the same. We replaced the paneling with painted drywall, and now we like the way it makes the room feel larger and lighter. We still have knotty pine cabinets and wainscoting.
And, we kept one special piece, once part of a wall, that still has an imprint of something decorative hung there decades ago (click to enlarge). It’s a remembrance of Gladys and Vernon Jones, who owned and cared for this house, and all its knotty pine, for almost 30 years before us.
OCTOBER 31 • Story of another longtime resident –
We have a close neighbor we’ve known for almost 35 years. A few years ago, we noticed a police car in his driveway and went to ask what had happened, since he didn’t seem to be at home. The police officer said she was bringing his bicycle back to his house after he had an accident, because he told her, “I’m all alone in the world.” He’s a very independent person, but we had no idea he felt that way. Two weeks ago, he was in another bike accident, a more serious one this time. As doctors and nurses care for him and his circle of friends and neighbors gather to help in various ways, we hope he is realizing he is not alone, as he might have thought he was.
NOVEMBER 2 • The Violet Crown Community Works Oktober(ish)fest, presented by the Eldorado Cafe, was held this year at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection. For two decades, VCCW, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has helped build and sustain community in Brentwood and Crestview by supporting neighborhood enhancement projects.
NOVEMBER 5 • Another Austin writer’s comments on the VVC website —
I hope you know by now that I adore your website and recommend it often as the gold standard for neighborhood websites. I consult it often.
NOVEMBER 11 • Brentwood and Crestview neighbors were highlighted for Veterans Day on The Dazed Group.
MID-NOVEMBER • Popular Crestview coffeehouse Genuine Joe on Anderson Lane reopened after unexpectedly closing “for the foreseeable future” at the end of October.
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER • Neighborhood Helpers, coordinated by Mary Pierce, is holding its fifth annual holiday gives, in addition to the group’s generosity to neighbors throughout the year. Forty-six families received full meals for Thanksgiving, and 48 families are receiving meals and gifts in December. (Neighborhood Helpers can be reached through its private Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/128287902136894)
DECEMBER 3 • One of the last original neighbors on our street, Billie Herron, died. She was 99. Billie was well loved, always ready with a wave, a smile, and a hug, and to visit for awhile. She attended almost every block party we had over the years.
After Billie moved to her new house here in the mid-1950s, she planted a magnolia tree. It grew to be taller than almost every other tree on the street, and she shared its flowers with neighbors each spring. The majestic tree fell on its own in Spring 2017 and, amazingly, landed on her lawn and didn’t harm any people, houses, cars, or landscaping. Neighbors quickly gathered to check on Billie and clean up what they could.
In 2004, Billie told me that there were few trees here when the first houses were built. I couldn’t imagine it, with all the mature trees we have now. She showed me a photo from 1956, and in the distance you could see the hills west of Mopac, with only a few newly planted trees in sight. With that, she inspired me to learn more about our neighborhood’s history, something I’m still doing today. Billie was a gem and will be missed. More about her here, on the website.
DECEMBER 4 • New updates on Voices of the Violet Crown include “Neighbors-in-History, Part 2,” focusing on African-American families here in the 1800s and early 1900s; “A Green History of Brentwood & Crestview;” and “Vision: Violet Crown Festival and Violet Crown Community Works.”
DECEMBER 8 • “Waiting for the Light,” the 22nd annual celebration of poetry and music, held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Austin. One of the readers was Allandale neighbor Anne Province. • Also on December 8, the annual Swedish Christmas Bazaar and Lucia Concert was held at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in the North Lamar neighborhood.
DECEMBER 22-25 • Thirtieth Annual Lighting of the Luminarias along Arroyo Seco in Brentwood and Crestview.
EARLIER IN THE ‘HOOD
5 YEARS AGO • Up to now,* the most recent Violet Crown Festival, a project of Violet Crown Community Works, was held in Brentwood Park. The mostly annual event was in May between 2003 and 2019, except for 2008. That year, the mosaic Wall of Welcome dedication was held instead of the festival, which helped raise funds to make the mosaic wall along Woodrow Avenue at Crestview Shopping Center a reality. VCCW holds an Oktoberfest in the fall.
*On December 16, 2024, plans for a 2025 Violet Crown Festival were announced by David Ezrailson, chair of the event, in the Crestview & Facebook Neighbors ATX Facebook group.
10 YEARS AGO • A 1940 building at 4805 Burnet was renovated, revealing an early Dr. Pepper sign. (Click to enlarge.)
15 YEARS AGO • Co-founded by Crestview neighbors Hedrich Michaelsen and Emily Wilson, Friends of Brentwood Park was “dedicated both to keeping the park maintained and to continuing its development as a community resource.” Other original members included Kat Correa, Elaine Dill, Karen Lorenzini, and Denman Glober Netherland. • Rob and I received the Mary Faye Barnes Award for Excellence in Community History Projects from the Texas Oral History Association at the Violet Crown Arts Festival in November.
20 YEARS AGO • A mosaic wall, envisioned by Brentwood neighbor and artist Jean Graham and created by Jean, students, and friends, was completed on an outside wall on the west side of Brentwood Elementary School. (More about Jean and her neighborhood mosaic walls beginning on this page.) Years later, Jean and others carefully removed the mosaic wall and reinstalled it inside the newly renovated school. (Click to enlarge image below.)
25 YEARS AGO • Rosedale neighbor and co-owner of the Moore-Hancock Farmstead Karen Collins published the last in a series of Rosedale Rambles, an invaluable community resource. (See links to all volumes here.)
50 YEARS AGO • Kenneth Threadgill closed his popular longtime local restaurant and music venue, after his wife, Mildred, died. Threadgill’s had opened in 1933 at today’s 6416 North Lamar in the Brentwood neighborhood. Eddie Wilson, owner of the Armadillo World Headquarters, reopened Threadgill’s in 1981. For almost 40 years, it was a restaurant, bar, and music venue, filled with memorabilia from the original Threadgill’s and other Austin landmarks. It closed and was sold in 2020. Plans were made to demolish the original structure. By late June 2022, the Austin Historic Landmark Commission had denied the developer’s initial request to demolish the entire Threadgill’s building. The part that housed the original service station is being preserved.
75 YEARS AGO • The Burnet Heights center (now Northwest Shopping Center), opened in July, one of the first car-centric shopping centers in Austin. It was developed by Lindon Leslie (Dude) McCandless, son of a blacksmith. The center is on the northeast corner of Burnet Road and Koenig Lane. Much more about Dude here.
100 YEARS AGO • Austin businessperson and philanthropist Clara Driscoll Sevier founded the Violet Crown Garden Club, still active today. Sevier lived at Laguna Gloria on Lake Austin, today part of The Contemporary Austin. Maude Yates, wife of Ray Yates, who helped develop the Crestview neighborhood with A. B. Beddow, was an avid gardener and longtime member of the garden club. Maude and Ray lived for many years at 1313 Richcreek.
110 YEARS AGO • Dr. John Preston, Superintendent of the State Asylum (now the Austin State Hospital), described the open land north and west of the facility, which would later be developed as the Rosedale, Allandale, Brentwood, and Crestview neighborhoods:
On the north . . . stretch rich farming lands that were once illimitable prairies. Westward . . . is a chain of hills which make a beautiful purplish background for the intervening fields in various shades of green and gold.
Much more about Austin’s violet crown to the west here.