National Historic Register

Designation
The National Register of Historic Places is the nation's honor roll of historic sites and districts. Properties Listed in the National Register must be approved by the Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the U.S. Department of the Interior. Sites and districts must possess integrity of:

• Association
• Design
• Feeling
• Location
• Materials
• Setting
• Workmanship

Properties may be Listed in the National Register because they are linked to important people or events and are historically significant, or they may be Listed because of their architectural significance.

National Register Listings

• Serves notice that the subject property is an important part of America's heritage
• Guarantees a state- level review of the impact of any project executed, licensed or financially assisted by the federal government
• Makes the property owner eligible to apply for various financial incentives, e.g.:
• Federal tax credits in accordance with the Tax Reform Act of 1986, as amended, for certified rehabilitations of income-producing buildings
• Federal Historic Preservation Fund grant-in-aid assistance, when available
• State tax credits for income-producing and owner-occupied property

National Register designation does not:

• Require the owner of the property to provide public access;
• Obligate the owner to maintain the property or even to keep the historic structure from demolition; or
• Impose restrictive covenants of any kind unless grant assistance is accepted.

Nomination

1. A written nomination is prepared.
2. The property is posted with a sign announcing the Landmarks Board's public hearing on the nomination. The property owner and the property owners within 185 feet are notified of the public hearing by mail.
3. The Landmarks Board makes a recommendation to City Council.
4. City Council initiates the zoning case for the overlay zoning district of a historic landmark if they find the above information meets the criteria for a historic landmark.
5. The zoning case goes to Planning and Zoning Commission. The property is posted for the zoning hearing and the property owner and the property owners within 185 feet are notified in the mail about the public hearing.
6. Planning and Zoning Commission make a recommendation to City Council about the zoning case.
7. City Council holds a public hearing about the zoning case. The property is posted for the zoning hearing and the property owner and the property owners within 185 feet are notified in the mail about the public hearing.
8. City council votes on the zoning case. If they approve the case, the overlay zoning district of historic landmark is placed over the property on the City official zoning map.
9. The historic landmark overlay zoning ordinance places binding architectural review of any exterior alteration to the building and site. Demolition can be delayed by the Landmarks Board by 180 days and can be extended by City Council for another 120 days.

Springfield National Register Listings
A National Register Site Map (PDF) is available for download.