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INTRODUCTION
mericans have long invested places with meaning. Thomas Jefferson was so impressed with Virginia’s Natural Bridge that he purchased the property in 1774 Awith the hope that it would be forever preserved in the public trust. Such a mag- nificent natural feature, he and early visitors agreed, was symbolic of the bounty and splen- dor of America. Nearly a century and a quarter later, Natural Bridge was designated a National Historic Landmark for its role in the development of a national self-identity tied to the seemingly boundless landscape of the New World. It is difficult to imagine that any one place could come to symbolize our nation today. The diversity that characterizes our nation’s heritage is documented by nearly 2,300 National Historic Landmarks in the 50 states and 7 U.S. jurisdictions, reflecting almost every imaginable important aspect of our nation’s history.The range of properties repre- sented in the program reflects changing perceptions about which events, ideas, and expe- riences have most influenced American history. National Historic Landmarks make tangible the American experience.They are places where significant historical events occurred, where prominent Americans worked or lived, that represent the ideas that shaped the nation, that provide important information about our past, or that are outstanding examples of design or construction.This book includes places reflecting our greatest achievements in areas such as science, literature, arts, architec- ture, and engineering, as well as places associated with struggles that profoundly affected our national course, such as those related to slavery, civil rights, the labor movement, and political reform. Taken as a whole, these historic places chronicle our most important archeological discoveries, chart our progress in areas such as transportation and industry, and document the people and ideas thought to have had the most profound influence on our nation.They reveal a landscape shaped by the multiplicity of cultures and traditions that compose our national identity. Through the National Historic Landmarks Survey and the National Historic Land- marks Initiative, the National Park Service administers the National Historic Landmarks Program for the secretary of the interior. It is a cooperative endeavor of government agen- cies, professionals, independent organizations, and citizens, sharing knowledge with the Service and working jointly to identify and preserve National Historic Landmarks.The
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2 INTRODUCTION National Park Service works alongside a host of partners to identify, evaluate, and docu- ment properties of national significance. It monitors the condition of existing Landmarks and provides technical assistance to the public to preserve them.The National Park Service supports the National Historic Landmarks Stewards Association—comprising Landmark owners, managers, and friends groups — which advocates the preservation of Landmarks and works to promote public awareness of the program.
Origins of the Landmarks Program The earliest legal recognition of the importance of historic preservation to the nation was the passage of the Antiquities Act of 1906, which authorized the president to proclaim as National Monuments places having significance in history, prehistory, or science.The first comprehensive effort to document the nation’s most important historic places began in 1935 with the creation of the Historic Sites Survey.Although the program was primarily instituted to identify properties suitable for inclusion as units of the National Park System, in supporting the Act in his testimony before the House Public Lands Committee, Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes stated that such a survey “would make it possible to call to the attention of States, municipalities and local historical organizations, the pres- ence of historical sites in their particular regions which the National Government cannot preserve, but which need attention and rehabilitation.” Beginning in 1960, historic properties found nationally significant by the secretary of the interior received a new designation: National Historic Landmark. National Historic Landmark designation was seen as a way to encourage their owners to preserve important historic cultural properties. Although some of these places have been added to the National Park System, the National Park Service regards National Historic Landmark des- ignation as an attractive alternative to federal acquisition of historic properties. Currently, a little more than 1 percent of National Historic Landmarks are located within National Park Service units. The passage of the National Historic Preservation Act in 1966 greatly expanded the federal government's role in historic preservation. The Act established the National Register of Historic Places to recognize properties of state and local significance, as well as units of the National Park System.At that time all existing National Historic Landmarks and historic and cultural units of the Park System were listed in the National Register. Since then, any property not already listed in the National Register prior to its designation as a National Historic Landmark is listed when it is designated.
Designating National Historic Landmarks Potential National Historic Landmarks are identified in two ways: through theme studies that examine related properties within specific national historic contexts, and through spe- cial studies of individual properties with high integrity that appear to meet National Historic Landmarks Criteria (see “Specific Criteria for National Significance,”pp.4–5). National Historic Landmark nominations may be prepared by interested individuals; by organizations;by state,federal,or tribal preservation officers;or by National Park Service staff. The National Historic Landmarks Survey staff provides information about theme studies and other comparable properties that may be relevant in the evaluation of particular properties and gives preliminary advice on whether a property appears likely to meet National Historic Landmarks criteria. National Park Service regional and support office staff who administer 1.CHAMB(1-22)AL-AK 12/28/99 12:28 PM Page 3
INTRODUCTION 3
the National Historic Landmarks program in their areas also provide preliminary evaluations and assistance in preparing National Historic Landmark nominations. Once a draft nomination is prepared, it is reviewed by the National Historic Landmarks staff. Following such reviews and any appropriate revisions, owners and elected officials are formally notified and given an opportunity to comment on those nominations that are likely candidates for National Historic Landmark designation. Owners of private property are given an opportunity to concur in or object to designation. In the case of more than one owner, if a majority of private property owners object, the secretary of the interior cannot designate the property but can determine whether it is eligible for desig- nation. Proposed National Historic Landmarks are evaluated at meetings of the National Park System Advisory Board. Based on the recommendation of the Advisory Board, the secretary of the interior considers and designates National Historic Landmarks. Once the secretary designates a Landmark, its owners may receive a bronze plaque attesting to its national significance. Owners of Landmarks may be able to obtain federal assistance from the Historic Preservation Fund (when available), federal investment tax credits for rehabilitation, and other federal tax incentives. Although the National Park Service encourages preservation of National Historic Landmarks, owners are free to man- age their properties as they choose, as long as no federal license, funding, or permit is involved. If there is federal involvement, federal agencies must allow the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation an opportunity to comment on the project and its effects on the Landmark to ensure that historic values are considered in the planning of federally assisted projects.
About This Book The historic places listed in this book include all National Historic Landmarks designated through 1999.The official National Historic Landmark nomination on file at the National Park Service is the source of most of the information included in this publication. Collected over a period of several decades and prepared by countless individuals both within and outside the Park Service, this body of information reflects numerous approach- es to and levels of information regarding the Landmarks. The documentation has been augmented with information of more recent vintage when available. Entries are arranged in alphabetical order by county within each state to allow group- ing by geographic proximity.The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are alphabetized along with states, with other jurisdictions grouped together in the final sec- tion. Each entry is headed with the official Landmark name of the property,followed by the address (or location) and town or city.Some large cities, such as Richmond and Saint Louis, are not considered part of any county.In these cases, properties are alphabetized under the city name.An index by subject and National Historic Landmark name is included to help readers locate specific properties. Location information is based on the National Register Information System (NRIS), the official database of all buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Many entries have no specific street address, but instead contain approximate location information. In some cases the National Park Service restricts certain information, such as property location, when it is necessary to prevent damage to the resource. In these cases,“Address Restricted” appears in the entry heading. Landmarks included within units of the National Park System are identified by“(NPS)” following the property name. All National Park Service units are open to the public. 1.CHAMB(1-22)AL-AK 12/28/99 12:28 PM Page 4
4 NATIONAL LANDMARKS, AMERICA’S TREASURES Although most National Historic Landmarks are in private hands or under state or local government ownership, many are also open to the public or can be viewed from a public thoroughfare.When available, information about public access has been provided. Readers should consult local sources to determine whether and when properties are open to the public.
To Learn More The records of the National Historic Landmarks program are open to the public. Information on Landmark designation is used for planning, public education, and inter- pretation. Copies of the documentation—including physical description, statement of sig- nificance, bibliography, photographs, and map—may be obtained from the National Park Service by writing to National Historic Landmarks Survey National Register, History and Education Division National Park Service 1849 C Street, NW Room NC400 Washington,DC 20240 To learn more about the historic preservation programs of the Park Service that include National Historic Landmarks, such as the National Register of Historic Places travel itin- eraries and Teaching with Historic Places lesson plans, and the Historic American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record documentation programs, visit the Park Service’s Cultural Resources Programs website, “Links with the Past,” at www.cr.nps.gov.
Specific Criteria for National Significance: The quality of national significance is ascribed to districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects that possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States in history, architecture, archeology, engineering and culture and that possess a high degree of integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feel- ing and association, and: (a)(1) That are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to, and are identified with, or that outstandingly represent, the broad national patterns of United States history and from which an understanding and appreciation of those patterns may be gained; or (a)(2) That are associated importantly with the lives of persons nationally significant in the history of the United States; or (a)(3) That represent some great idea or ideal of the American people; or (a)(4) That embody the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen exceptionally valuable for a study of a period, style or method of construction, or that rep- resent a significant, distinctive and exceptional entity whose components may lack indi- vidual distinction; or (a)(5) That are composed of integral parts of the environment not sufficiently significant by reason of historical association or artistic merit to warrant individual recognition but col- lectively compose an entity of exceptional historical or artistic significance, or outstand- ingly commemorate or illustrate a way of life or culture; or 1.CHAMB(1-22)AL-AK 12/28/99 12:28 PM Page 5
INTRODUCTION 5
(a)(6) That have yielded or may be likely to yield information of major scientific impor- tance by revealing new cultures, or by shedding light upon periods of occupation over large areas of the United States. Such sites are those which have yielded, or which may rea- sonably be expected to yield, data affecting theories, concepts and ideas to a major degree. (b) Ordinarily,cemeteries, birthplaces, graves of historical figures, properties owned by reli- gious institutions or used for religious purposes, structures that have been moved from their original locations, reconstructed historic buildings and properties that have achieved significance within the past 50 years are not eligible for designation. Such properties, how- ever, will qualify if they fall within the following categories: (b)(1) A religious property deriving its primary national significance from architectural or artistic distinction or historical importance; or (b)(2) A building or structure removed from its original location but which is nationally significant primarily for its architectural merit, or for association with persons or events of transcendent importance in the nation’s history and the association consequential; or (b)(3) A site of a building or structure no longer standing but the person or event associat- ed with it is of transcendent importance in the nation’s history and the association conse- quential; or (b)(4) A birthplace, grave or burial if it is of a historical figure of transcendent national sig- nificance and no other appropriate site, building or structure directly associated with the productive life of that person exists; or (b)(5) A cemetery that derives its primary national significance from graves of persons of transcendent importance, or from an exceptionally distinctive design or from an excep- tionally significant event; or (b)(6) A reconstructed building or ensemble of buildings of extraordinary national signifi- cance when accurately executed in a suitable environment and presented in a dignified manner as part of a restoration master plan, and when no other buildings or structures with the same association have survived; or (b)(7) A property primarily commemorative in intent if design, age, tradition, or symbolic value has invested it with its own national historical significance; or (b)(8) A property achieving national significance within the past 50 years if it is of extra- ordinary national importance. 1.CHAMB(1-22)AL-AK 12/28/99 12:28 PM Page 6 1.CHAMB(1-22)AL-AK 12/28/99 12:28 PM Page 7
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