National Register of Historic Places
A National Register district can be a great asset to any historic downtown. Through the National Register program, buildings and entire districts can be designated as important historic landmarks. Properties can also be eligible for federal and state tax credits based on their National Register status. The information below provides further information on what the National Register of Historic places is and how it can benefit your downtown.
The National Register of Historic Places is a federal program administered in our state by the Texas Historical Commission in coordination with the National Park Service. Listing in the National Register provides national recognition of a property's historical or architectural significance and denotes that it is worthy of preservation. Buildings, sites, objects, structures and districts are eligible for this designation if they are at least 50 years old (with rare exceptions) and meet established criteria. Plaques are available, but not required, for this designation.
The National Register designation imposes no restrictions on property owners. Those receiving grant assistance or federal tax credits for rehabilitation projects, however, must adhere to certain standards. With a National Register designation, the property receives extra consideration before any federal projects, such as highway construction, are undertaken. To nominate a property, the owner's consent is required.
The National Register of Historic Places is the nation's inventory of properties deemed worthy of preservation. It is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect our historic and archeological resources, and is part of its effort to promote preservation statewide.
The National Register was developed to recognize historic places that contribute to our country's heritage. These properties — whether districts, sites, buildings, structures or objects — are architecturally, archeologically, or historically significant for their associations with important persons or events. The National Register is designed to include properties of importance in every locality, not just great national landmarks. A general store, a community park, a main street or the remains of a prehistoric village may be just as eligible for inclusion in the National Register as the Texas State Capitol or the Alamo.
Listing a Property in the National Register:
- Provides prestigious recognition to significant properties.
- Encourages the preservation of historic properties.
- Provides information about historic properties for local and statewide planning purposes.
- Helps promote tourism and economic development.
- Provides basic eligibility for financial incentives, including federal tax credits for the rehabilitation of historic buildings.
The National Register does not:
- Restrict in any way a private property owner’s ability to alter, manage or dispose of a property.
- Require that properties be maintained, repaired or restored.
- Allow the individual listing of private property over an owner’s objection.
- Allow the listing of historic districts over a majority of property owners’ objection.
- Require public access to private property
For more information, please visit:
Benefits of National Register Districts Presentation - [.pdf]
Find out more about the National Register program in Texas here and details about the process here.
Example Nomination Forms
The links below include examples of what a complete National Register nomination form and survey look like.