Page Contents
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources
Who is the Commission?
Local Historic Districts
Latest News
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my property a designated Historic Place?
Map of South Bend Historic Properties shows local historic landmarks and local historic districts.
Indiana Buildings, Bridges and Cemeteries Map shows properties on the National List of Historic Places.
What is a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)?
A certificate issued by the Historic Preservation Commission authorizing a property owner to complete work on their property as specifically applied for and outlined on the certificate. COAs are valid for one (1) year from the date of issue.
How do I get a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)?
Property owners or contractors hired by the property owner can fill out an Application for COA and submit it to staff with all necessary details of the proposed project and pay the administration fee. A requirements checklist is included with the application.
What is Historic Preservation?
Historic preservation is a conversation with our past about our future. It provides us with opportunities to ask, “What is important in our history?” and “What parts of our past can we preserve for the future?” Through historic preservation, we look at history in different ways, ask different questions of the past, and learn new things about our history and ourselves. Historic preservation is an important way for us to transmit our understanding of the past to future generations.
What are local landmarks and local historic districts?
A local landmark is a building, structure, object, district, land use, area, or site of historical significance and designated as an historic landmark on the Historic Preservation Plan or by Ordinance of the Common Council.
A local historic district is a geographically definable area with a significant concentration of buildings, structures, sites, spaces or objects unified by past events, physical development, design, setting, materials, workmanship, a sense of cohesiveness, or related historic association and designated as an historic preservation district on the historic preservation plan or by ordinance of the Common Council.
What is the National Register Listing of HIstoric Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
How does a property become locally designated?
A property can become a local landmark through a process of surveying, research and review.
How does a property become listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register nomination process usually starts with your State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Properties will be reviewed by the SHPO for eligibility. Once eligible, you can submit a nomination. An application for National Register listing then undergoes technical and substantive reviews to assure that it meets National Register criteria. Once accepted by the DHPA staff, the application is presented to the Indiana Historic Preservation Review Board for their approval at one of their quarterly meetings.
Resources
General Preservation Information
U.S. National Park Service & Historic Preservation
State Historic Preservation Office
Listing on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Parks Service is honorary and may qualify a property for financial incentives.
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Technical Advice
Preservation Briefs published by the National Parks Service provide guidance on preserving, rehabilitating, and restoring historic buildings.
How to: Winterize your historic home
All About Windows
Preservation and Maintenance Guide
Preservation Brief for Wooden Windows
Tip Sheet for Historic Wood Windows
Preservation Brief for Stained Glass Windows
Financial Assistance
Tax incentives or grants may be available to property owners through the State Historic Preservation Office.
Properties on the National Register of Historic Places may qualify for tax incentive opportunities.
Research Assistance
Historic Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
Partner Links
Lou Sabo Historic Photograph Collection
Building South Bend Past, Present, Future
Who is the Commission?
The commission is a nine (9) member board of appointed citizens. Eight members are appointed by the legislative and executive branches of South Bend and St. Joseph County governments. Appointments are as follows: two (2) by the County Commissioners, two (2) by the South Bend Common Council, two (2) by the County Council, and two (2) by the Mayor of South Bend. Each body appoints one Democrat and one Republican. The ninth member is the Architectural Historian who is appointed by the eight (8) other appointed members. The nine (9) volunteer board members of the Historic Preservation Commission are appointed for three year terms and are knowledgeable in various aspects of local history, historic preservation, and traditional trades.
What does the Commission do?
The Commission is granted powers to draft preservation guidelines and plans, advise other agencies on matters concerning historic sites and structures, and assist and educate the public. The Commission’s jurisdiction includes the City of South Bend and the unincorporated areas of St. Joseph County. Map of Historic Properties
The Commission makes recommendations to the Council for sites, structures and neighborhoods to become landmarks and districts. Once a Landmark or District is designated by ordinance, the Commission serves as the agency that administers the preservation standards required by the designation. These standards are a tool to maintain a structure’s, a district’s, or a landscape’s character defining features.
The administration of the South Bend Historic Preservation and South Bend Historic Preservation Commission, is handled by staff in the Department of Community Investment located on the 14th Floor of the County-City Building.
How does the commission administer the preservation standards?
A Certificate Of Appropriateness (COA) is the formal manner through which the Commission monitors the character and condition of a Landmark or District. Property owners apply for a COA through the Commission staff. Staff review the project details, conduct property inspections and site visits, research property history and write a recommendation in a report presented to the Commission at the monthly meeting. Some projects can be administratively approved by staff and do not require review by the Commission.
The Commission review applications, ask applicants questions, listen to public input, and discuss the appropriateness of the proposed project. The Commission then votes to approve, deny or continue the project. Approved projects receive a COA from staff and property owners are able to acquire necessary building permits and begin work.
Current Commissioners
- Sarah Andrews, President
- David Wyncott, Vice President
- Andrew Jones, Treasurer
- Joan Downs Krostenko, Secretary, Architectural Historian
- Michael Skaggs, Commissioner
- Peter DeKever, Commissioner
The Commission currently has three (3) vacancies (South Bend Common Council, Mayor and St. Joseph County Commissioners Appointees).
Local Historic Districts
Since 1973, approximately 200 Local Landmarks in South Bend and St. Joseph County, 9 Local Historic Districts, and several National Register Districts and properties have been designated. About 6,000 sites and structures have been identified in architectural surveys as Outstanding, Notable, or Contributing resources of the area’s history.
Preserving South Bend and St. Joseph County’s architectural history requires cooperation from homeowners. The city is committed to helping assist and educate community members about historic districts and how to properly maintain and modify properties in each.
Latest News
