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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1. Taylor's Field Historic District - National Register Staff ReportSTAFF REPORT ON THE NOMINATION OF TAYLOR’S FIELD HISTORIC DISTRICT TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES HISTORIC NAME OF PROPERTY: Taylor’s Field Historic District ADDRESS: Taylor’s Field Local Historic District, Monroe Park Neighborhood, near southeast side of downtown South Bend BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION: Beginning at the southeast corner of the intersection of East Monroe Street and the alley between South St. Joseph Street and South Michigan Street, face east and follow the south edge of Monroe Street, crossing St. Joseph Street, to the west edge of South Carroll Street. Turn south and follow the west edge of Carroll Street to a line extended west from the south edge of the alley between Monroe Street and South Street. Turn east, crossing Carroll Street, and follow the line/south edge of the alley, crossing Columbia Street, to the east property boundary of 524 Columbia Street. Turn south and follow the east property boundaries of 524-532 Columbia and 407 South Street to the south edge of South Street. On the south edge of South Street, turn east and follow the south edge of the street, crossing Fellows Street, to a line extended south from the east property line of 521 South Street. Turn north and follow the line/property line to the north property line of 521 South Street, then turn east and follow the property line to the west edge of Rush Street. Turn south and follow the west edge of Rush Street to the south edge of South Street, then turn east and follow the south edge of South Street to the west edge of Clinton Street. Turn south and follow the west edge of Clinton Street to the south property boundaries of 614-618 South Street, then turn west and follow the south property boundaries to the north edge of the alley between South Street and Bronson Street. Continue to follow the north edge of the alley west to the east edge of Fellows Street, crossing Rush Street, then turn north and follow the east edge of Fellows Street to a line extended east from the north edge of the alley between South and Bronson Streets. Turn west and follow the north edge of the alley to the west edge of Columbia Street. On the west edge of Columbia Street, turn south and follow the west edge of the street to the north edge of East Bronson Street. Turn west and follow the north edge of Bronson Street, crossing Carroll Street, to the east edge of St. Joseph Street. Turn north and follow the east edge of the street to a line extended east from the south property lines of 116 and 128 East South Street. Turn west and follow the south property lines to the east edge of the alley between St. Joseph and Michigan Streets, then turn north and follow the east edge of the alley, crossing South Street, to the south edge of East Monroe Street, or the place of beginning. DATE OF STAFF REVIEW: July 15, 2023 CASE HISTORY: Historic Preservation Administrator Adam Toering identified the Taylor’s Field Local Historic District as a National Register-eligible area when conducting CLG reporting requirements for the Indiana State Department of Natural Resources. Further meetings, correspondence, and consultations regarding the nomination process and paperwork occurred in 2021 and 2022 with the neighborhood and consulting bodies. The City of South Bend requisitioned money to hire consultant Mr. Kurt Garner to write the formal nomination. Mr. Garner submitted a nomination for listing of the Taylor’s Field District located in South Bend, Indiana, to the National Register of Historic Places to the Staff of the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County on June 29, 2023. The nomination has been reviewed by staff and is formally submitted for public hearing at the August 21st, 2023, Historic Preservation Commission meeting. CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION: In order to be considered eligible for inclusion in the National Register, an historic property should be at least 50 years old and must possess local, state, or national significance in relation to at least one of the following criteria: Criterion A is associated with the events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or Criterion B is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or Criterion C embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction; or Criterion D has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. Ordinarily, cemeteries, birthplaces, graves of historical figures, properties owned by religious institutions or used for religious purposes, structures which have been moved from their original locations, reconstructed historic buildings, properties commemorative in nature, and properties which have received significance within the last 50 years, shall not be considered eligible for the National Register. However, such properties will qualify if they are integral parts of historic districts which meet the criteria or if they fall within the categories established by the National Park Service as Criteria Consideration/Exemptions. EVALUATION OF THE NOMINATION: Staff has reviewed the nomination and associated materials as provided by Kurt West Garner. The initial application for the Taylor’s Field Historic District in South Bend, Indiana, was applicable for Criteria C. Criteria C is met for embodying the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction. This neighborhood contains excellent examples of Queen Anne, Free Classic, American Foursquare and Prairie Style homes. Staff finds the nomination makes a good case for nomination through its research and documentation along with supporting materials. STAFF COMMENTS: Staff has evaluated the submitted nomination according to procedures, policies, standards, and criteria established by the National Park Service and the Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology pursuant to Certified Local Government and applicable federal regulations. The contextual development, format, supplementary documentation, and information presented are considered accurate and appropriately executed. Staff has also determined that the Taylor’s Field Historic District meets the applicable criteria as defined in this review and considers the area, as delineated by the justified boundaries, to be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Public officials and interested parties have been notified by letter of the pending nomination. All have been given the opportunity to provide the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County with written comments or objections. To date, no submissions have been presented. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Historic Preservation Commission concur with staff that the property meets the criteria for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria C. Staff requests that the Commission direct staff to submit the appropriate report of the public hearing, including public comments, to Mayor James Mueller for his concurrence, in compliance with Indiana’s Certified Local Government regulations. The Certified Local Government Report on the Nomination of the Taylor’s Field Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places will then be forwarded to the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology for further review, followed by consideration of the nomination by the Indiana Historic Preservation Review Board.