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Local Historic Register
In the United States, a Historic District is a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. Buildings, structures, objects, and sites within a historic district are normally divided into two categories, contributing and non-contributing. Districts greatly vary in size: some have hundreds of structures, while others have just a few. The U.S. federal government designates historic districts through the United States Department of Interior under the auspices of the National Park Service. Federally designated historic districts are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but the listing imposes no restrictions on what property owners may do with a designated property.
State-level historic districts may follow similar criteria (no restrictions) or may require adherence to certain historic rehabilitation standards. Local historic district designation offers, by far, the most legal protection for historic properties because most land-use decisions are made at the local level. Local districts are generally administered by the county or municipal government. The City of Centralia, in conjunction with the Centralia Historic Preservation Commission, is in the process of creating a procedure for local owners of historic homes or businesses, who wish, to have their homes listed on the Local Historic Register. At the present time, there are many sites in Centralia that are listed on the National Historic Register and the State Historic Register. To see a list of the sites that are on the National and State Historic Registers. View the National and State Registry (PDF)
You may want to consider placing your property on the local historic register.
.The following documents will help you decide whether or not you may want to pursue having your property listed on the local register:
- Historic Preservation in Centralia (PDF)
- What! I own a landmark? (PDF)
- Local Historic Register (PDF)