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T he 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. The National Park Service (NPS) maintains the National
Register, which is administered in Texas by the Texas Historical
Commission (THC), the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO),
and is part of its effort to promote preservation statewide.
The National Register was developed to recognize historic places
and persons who contributed 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 Indian
village may be just as eligible for inclusion in the National Register
as the Governor's Mansion or the Alamo.
The National Register of Historic Places provides the basis for most
preservation activities under federal programs and those of the SHPO.
It is important to note what listing a property on the National Register
means or, perhaps more importantly, what it does not mean.
Listing a Property on 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, when available.
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.
National Register Criteria
National Register criteria are designed to guide the officials of the National Register, SHPOs, federal agencies, local governments, preservation organizations and members of the general public in evaluating properties for entry in the National Register. To be listed in the National Register, properties generally must be at least 50 years old and retain their historic character. Properties must:
