Reconnaissance Survey of Selecte Neighborhoods in Omaha, Nebras Reconnaissance Survey of Selected Neighborhoods in Omaha, Nebraska Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey
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Reconnaissance Survey of Selecte Neighborhoods in Omaha, Nebras Reconnaissance Survey of Selected Neighborhoods in Omaha, Nebraska Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey Prepared foc City of Omaha, Omaha City Planning Department, Omaha Certified Local Government, and the Nebraska State Historical Society Prepared by: Mead & Hunt, Inc. 650 1 Watts Road Madison, WI 53719-2700 608.273.6380 preservation@meadhunt .corn April 2002 Chad Moffett , Principal Investigator Emily Schill, Project Historian Erin Pogany, Project Historian Christina Slattery, Project Supervisor Tables and Figures Tables Table 1. Properties Listed on the National Register of Historic Places or Designated as Local Landmarks ............................................................... 26 Table 2. Numerical Summary of 2001-2002 Reconnaissance Survey .......................... 32 Table 3. Properties Recommended lndividually Eligible for the National Register of Historic Places ........................................ 36 Table 4. Properties Recommended for Designation as Local Landmarks .................... 40 Figures Figure 1. Survey Area with Annexation Dates ............................................................... 9 Figure 2. Map Showing Survey Area with Boundaries ................................................ 22 Figure 3. Boundaries of the Proposed Country Club Historic Residential District ............................................................................ 37 Executive Summary The City of Omaha Certified Local Government (Omaha CLG) in cooperation with the Nebraska State Historical Society contracted with Mead & Hunt to conduct a Nebraska Historic Building Survey (NeHBS) reconnaissance-level survey of selected neighborhoods in the city of Omaha. Mead & Hunt conducted the survey during November of 2001 through April of 2002. The survey area includes approximately 15,750 properties bounded by Ames Avenue on the north, 72nd Street on the west, Western Avenue and Hamilton Street on the south, and 30th Street on the east. The survey area includes the historic city of Benson and other large tracts of developed land annexed by the city of Omaha between 1873 and 1954. The neighborhoods generally consist of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century vernacular and period revival style houses, and commercial, educational, and religious resources. The area includes concentrations of post-World War 11 housing and public housing. The historic city of Benson covers roughly one-third of survey area. Mead & Hunt conducted the survey in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Archeology and Historic Preservation and Standards for Identification and Evaluation and NeHBS survey standards. The NeHBS of selected neighborhoods in the city of Omaha evaluated 1,095 new and previously surveyed properties. Mead & Hunt did not resurvey 56 previously surveyed properties that exhibited poor integrity or that were nonextant. The survey results include 1,039 properties that Mead & Hunt documented and then evaluated for eligibility according to the guidelines of the National Register of Historic Places (National Register). The reconnaissance survey identified 12 individual properties and one historic district that are recommended as potentially eligible for the National Register. This survey report documents the results of historical research and field investigations. In Chapter 1 the report introduces the survey process and its administrators, the Nebraska State Historical Society, NeHBS, and the Omaha CLG. Chapters 2 through 4 of the report include: a historic overview and historic contexts of the survey area, a description of the survey methodology, a description of architec- tural styles, recommendations for the National Register and local landmark designation, and future research considerations. The report concludes with appendices listing swveyed properties, a bibliog- raphy, and a glossary of terms used in the report. Chapter 1 Introduction Throughout most of Nebraska's history, historic *Administering a federal tax incentives program preservation was the province of dedicated for the preservation of historic buildings. individuals and organizations working alone in their local co~~l~llunities.Since the passage of *Assisting federal agencies in their responsi- the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, bility to identifv and protect historic properties however, the Governor of each state has been that may be affected by their projects. required to appoint a State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO)to oversee preserva- *Providingpreservation education, training, and tion efforts mandated by the 1966 act. In technical assistance to individuals and groups Nebraska, the Director of the Nebraska State and local, state, and federal agencies. Historical Society (NSHS) serves as SHPO. The staff of the NSHS' Historic Preservation Division What follows is a brief description of NeSHPO forms the Nebraska State Historic Preservation programs, followed by a staff guide with Office (NeSHPO). telephone numbers. Though described separately, it is important to remember that The NeSHPO administers a wide range of NeSHPO programs often act in concert, and preservation programs. The duties of the should be considered elements of the NeSHPO NeSHPO relating to programs called for by the mission and a part of the mission of the NSHS. National Historic Preservation Act include: *Conducting and maintaining a statewide Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey , historic building survey. The Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey (NeHBS) was begun in 1974. The survey is *Administeringthe National Register of Historic conducted on a county-by-county basis and Places (National Register) program. currently includes more than 60,000 properties that reflect the rich architectural and historic *Assisting local governments in the heritage of Nebraska. The survey is conducted development of local historic preservation by researchers who drive every rural and urban programs and certification of qualifying public road in a county and record each governments. property that meets certain historic require- ments. Surveyors never enter private property without permission. In addition to this Chapter 1. Introduction fieldwork, surveyors research the history of the reflect a historically significant pattern, event, area in order to better understand their subject. person, architectural style, or archaeological The NeHBS often includes thematic subjects site. National Register properties may be that may be unique to a certain county such as significant at the local, state, or national levels. an historic highway or type of industry. Properties need not be as historic as Mt. Vernon The purpose of the NeHBS is to help local or architecturally spectacular as the Nebraska preservation advocates, elected officials, land- State Capitol to be listed on the National use planners, economic development coordina- Register. Local properties that retain their tors, and tourism promoters understand the physical integrity and convey local historic sig- wealth of historic properties in their nificance may also be listed. community. Properties included in the survey have no use restrictions placed on them, nor It is important to note what listing a property on does the survey require any level of the National Register means or, perhaps more maintenance or accessibility by property importantly, what it does not mean. The owners. Rather, the survey provides a National Register does not: foundation for identifying properties that may be worthy of preservation, promotion, and *Restrict,in any way, a private property owner's recognition within a community. ability to alter, manage, or dispose of a property. The NeHBS provides a basis for presemation *Require that properties be maintained, and planning at all levels of government and for repaired, or restored. individual groups or citizens. Generally, the NeHBS includes properties that convey a sense *Invoke special zoning or local landmark of architectural signitlcance. When possible designation. and known, NeHBS also describes properties that have historical significance. The survey is *Allow the listing of individual private property not intended to be a comprehensive history of a over an owner's objection. county, but a detailed "first look at historic properties. Additionally, as the NeHBS is in *Allow the listing of historic districts over a part federally funded, the NeSHPO must use majority of property owners' objections. federal guidelines when evaluating and identifying historic properties. In short, the *Require public access to private property. NeHBS is not an end in itself, but a beginning for public planners and individuals who value Listing a property on the National Register does: their community's history. *Provide prestigious recognition to significant For more information, please call the NeHBS properties. Program Associate or the Survey Coordinator listed below. *Encourage the preservation of historic properties. National Register of Historic Places *Provide information about historic properties One of the goals of the NeHBS is to help identify for local and statewide planning purposes. properties that may be eligible for listing on the National Register. The National Register is our *Help promote community development, nation's official list of significant historic tourism, and economic development. properties. Created by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register *Provide basic eligibility for financial incentives,