On Monday afternoon, rubble was all that remained of a century-old Hyde Park home, known as the Bradford-Nohra house, at 4213 Avenue G. The semi-neoclassical home had been in disrepair for many years, but the family of homeowner Helen Nohra, who is in her late 90s, said she could not afford the upkeep and repairs. The family plans to build at least two townhomes on the large corner tract. The demolition capped a long-running legal battle between the Nohra family and the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association, which had sought to have the home repaired and designated a historical landmark. The home’s original owner, Dewey Bradford, was a local business owner and art aficionado who helped President and Lady Bird Johnson select artwork for the White House. The case ultimately moved from the courtroom back to the city, where council members earlier this year voted against the historic landmark status, clearing the way for bulldozing.
This article appears in November 11 • 2011.
