Is my property a designated Historic Place?
Map of South Bend Historic Properties shows local historic landmarks and local historic districts.
Map of St. Joseph County Historic Properties shows local historic landmarks in unincorporated parts of the county.
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.