Landmark study: Historic properties surveyed to encourage preservation

By Rachel Bucci

In 2009, Silverton’s Historic Landmarks Commission and city staff sought to establish a historic district in the Coolidge and West Main Streets area of town. But after public dissatisfaction with the plan, the group went back to the drawing board to take a different approach.

The results will be shared with the public at a community meeting on Wednesday, May 19, 7 p.m. at the Council Chambers in the Silverton Community Center, 421 S. Water St.

“After the idea for a historic district was tabled last year, we sat down with the State Historic Preservation Office to develop a strategy for historic preservation that wouldn’t require property owners to commit to listing their properties,” said Steve Kay, Silverton community development director.

With a $12,000 grant from SHPO, the Silverton Historic Landmarks Commission engaged SWCA Environmental Consultants of Portland to conduct a reconnaissance survey of 408 properties in the downtown core, with the goal of creating a Multiple Property Documentation, for submission to the National Register of Historic Places.

Instead of targeting a specific area for listing as a historic district, the MPD looks at the city’s historic residences as a whole and provides a framework and tool for individual homeowners to apply for historic status.

Over two days in early March, SWCA historic preservation specialist Jason Allen and a colleague looked at the 408 properties to determine rough dating, architectural style and historical integrity. Using the data collected, along with historical documents, Allen and his colleagues at SWCA created the MPD, titled “Historic Residences of Silverton, Oregon and its Environs, From Early Settlement to 1930.”

Both Allen and Kay say that the MPD will benefit city homeowners who are interested in listing their properties on the National Register. Once approved, the MPD would be available to the public online through the National Park Service Web site.

“If someone wants to nominate their house they would be able to use this document to see how their house fits in, instead of reinventing the wheel,” said Allen. “It’s structured in such a way that someone can look at it and identify the style and form of their house and figure out whether their house is eligible for listing on the Historic Register without having to consult anyone else. That’s the goal.”

While the MPD does not create a historic district, it does require at least one historic property be listed with it when submitted. At this point, Kay says that two historic residences will be put forward with the cooperation of their current owners.

Those homes are the Louis Adams house at 423 W. Main St. and the June Drake House at 409 S. Water St. Kay says he is working to secure the participation of one more homeowner before submitting the application.

“We would like to include three residences in different architectural styles and representative of different socio-economic classes at the time they were built,” Kay said.

In addition to benefiting local homeowners, Kay says the larger goal of the survey and resulting MPD is to raise awareness of Silverton’s historic resources and to encourage historic preservation in Silverton.

“This ensures the historic charm of Silverton is preserved. Silverton is growing as a tourist destination, and more well-known for historic homes and the historic downtown. This is a way to stimulate the economy and benefit from tourism,” said Kay.

If all goes well with the submission, he says he expects the MPD application to be approved by spring 2011.

“At the meeting we will be sharing results of the survey. People will have an opportunity to review and comment on the draft document. I would encourage anyone who has a historic home to come, because they might find out more about their home,” Kay said.