Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1. Edgewater Place Historic District - National Register Staff ReportSTAFF REPORT ON THE NOMINATION OF EDGEWATER PLACE HISTORIC DISTRICT TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES HISTORIC NAME OF PROPERTY: Edgewater Place Historic District ADDRESS: Edgewater Place Local Historic District, near southeast side of downtown South Bend, along the St. Joseph River. BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION: Beginning at the southeast corner of Lincoln Way and East Monroe Street, face northeast and follow the south side of Monroe Street, crossing River Avenue and Edgewater Drive, to the edge of the Saint Joseph River. Follow the riverbank in a southeasterly direction to a line extended northeast from the south boundary of 655 River Avenue. Turn southwest and follow the south boundary line of 655 River Avenue to the east side of Lincoln Way. Turn northwest and follow the east side of Lincoln Way, crossing Bronson and Arch Streets, 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 Edgewater Place 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 Edgewater Place 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 21, 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 Edgewater Place Historic District in South Bend, Indiana, was applicable for Criteria A and C. Criteria A is met for events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history. Edgewater Place represents an early form of South Bend’s ‘suburb’ development, in a geographically defined and distinct position along the St. Joseph River. 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 American Four Square, Prairie Style, Bungalow, and subcategory of Colonial Revival known as Dutch Colonial Revival. 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 Edgewater Place 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 A and 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 Edgewater Place 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.