1.CHAMB(1-22)AL-AK 12/28/99 12:28 PM Page 1 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 1 1.CHAMB(1-22)AL-AK 12/28/99 12:28 PM Page 2 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,