LOCAL

Overton home may receive historic designation

Late WWII veteran requested his East Austin home become museum after his death

Nancy Flores
nflores@statesman.com
Volma Overton Jr., the cousin to the late Richard Overton, stands outside of Richard's home on Wednesday. [NICK WAGNER/AMERICAN-STATESMAN]

It was the site of neighborhood birthday block parties, dignitary visits and front porch gatherings. Now, the East Austin home where America's former oldest World War II veteran once lived is a step closer to becoming a museum.

In late September, the city’s Historic Landmark Commission unanimously approved starting the historic zoning process for Richard Overton’s house at 2011 Hamilton Ave. (also known as Richard Overton Avenue). The commission plans to further discuss the case at its Oct. 28 public meeting before it goes to the City Council. Receiving historic zoning would mean the property would display a plaque explaining the home’s significance, get a historic property tax exemption and make it difficult to change or tear down the building.

Overton, whose supercentenarian status led to numerous honors over the years, including meeting President Barack Obama, died at a rehabilitation facility in December. He was 112.

OBIT: Nation's oldest vet dies at 112

Overton was born in Bastrop County on May 11, 1906, and the home he lived in for more than 70 years displayed his memorabilia. His walls displayed everything from photos of his days working at the Texas Capitol to a framed camouflage San Antonio Spurs jersey the team gave him honoring his 110th birthday. Many other items have yet to be seen by the public, according to his cousin Volma Overton Jr.

Converting his home to a museum was Richard Overton’s “final request,” Overton Jr. said. The house remains just as the WWII veteran left it, including an ash tray with the remnants of his final cigar. Overton was known for enjoying about a dozen cigars a day, and he liked to keep a couple in his shirt pocket for easy access. He often joked that cigars along with a little whiskey were the secret to his longevity.

“People made a difference in his life; they kept him going,” Overton Jr. said. “People always wanted to see him, and were amazed to have a conversation with him.”

It seems fitting, he said, that Overton’s home become open to the public since so many embraced him over the years.

RELATED: 12 things to know about Richard Overton

Each May, his birthday became a community celebration. Friends, family and fans from near and far gathered for his popular birthday block parties. The international community came together in 2016 when Overton’s family launched a GoFundMe account to pay for his full-time home care. Overton, who had outlived all of his closest relatives, required round-the-clock home care. Donations poured in from across the globe for years.

Overton built the house in 1948 when he returned to Austin after the war. According to Steve Sadowsky, a city historic preservation officer, the house remains “100% intact” from its original construction. In 2017, the Meals on Wheels Central Texas’ home repair program provided updates such as central air and heating, which allowed Overton to continue living there until his death.

"His story is extraordinary," Sadowsky told commissioners at the September meeting when he presented the historic zoning case, which he called "a source of joy."

Overton Jr. hopes that local colleges such as Huston–Tillotson University and Austin Community College can get involved in a potential future museum.

“There’s a lot more work to be done,” he said. Beginning the historic zoning process “is just one leg” of making Overton’s final request happen, he said. “We’re getting there slowly.”