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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBowman Creek Stone Arch Culvert_Staff ReportSTAFF REPORT ON THE NOMINATION OF TAYLOR’S FIELD HISTORIC DISTRICT TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES HISTORIC NAME OF PROPERTY: Bowman Creek Stone Arch Culvert ADDRESS: Lincoln Way East over Bowman Creek, South Bend BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION: The north and south boundaries are lines parallel to and thirty feet north and south of the sides of the bridge and extend along the right-of-way for Lincoln Way East, which is approximately 66 feet wide. Similarly, the east and west boundaries are lines parallel to and thirty feet east and west of the edge of the approaches. DATE OF STAFF REVIEW: September 9, 2024 CASE HISTORY: Consultant Mr. Kurt Garner identified the Bowman Creek Stone Arch Culvert as a potential part of the Lincoln Way East National Register District while conducting research and field work for the nomination. He discussed the idea with Historic Preservation Administrator Ross Van Overberghe who concurred. After more research Mr. Garner concluded that the culvert held enough merit to warrant its own nomination. The City of South Bend requisitioned money to hire consultant Mr. Kurt Garner to write the formal nomination for two Districts. Mr. Garner included the nomination for Bowman Creek Stone Arch Culvert in his estimate for the two districts. Mr. Garner submitted a nomination for listing of the Bowman Creek Stone Arch Culvert 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 August 5, 2023. The nomination has been reviewed by staff and is formally submitted for public hearing at the September 16th, 2024, 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 Bowman Creek Stone Arch Culvert in South Bend, Indiana, was applicable for Criteria A and C. Criteria A is met for association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. 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. The bridge was built in 1895 by the county board of commissioners as part of St. Joseph County’s bridge infrastructure to improve the important connection between South Bend and Mishawaka, the county’s largest cities. Bowman Creek Stone Arch Culvert also served as part of the infrastructure for the nationally significant development of the Lincoln Highway when the route was created in 1913. Additionally, the bridge appears to be one of the oldest extant vehicular bridges in St. Joseph County, where most historic bridges fall in the era of concrete bridge construction that began in the 1910s. Bowman Creek Stone Arch Culvert is notable for its full-round arch construction composed of large, quarried, cut stone. 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 Bowman Creek Stone Arch Culvert 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 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 Bowman Creek Stone Arch Culvert 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.