HomeMy WebLinkAboutHarter Heights HD_Staff ReportSTAFF REPORT ON THE NOMINATION OF HARTER HEIGHTS HISTORIC DISTRICT TO THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES HISTORIC NAME OF PROPERTY: Harter Heights Historic District BOUNDARY DESCRIPTION: Beginning on the southeast corner of the intersection of Angela Boulevard and Michigan Street, on the south curbline of Angela, face east and follow the south curbline, crossing Leeper Avenue, St. Joseph Street, Foster Street, and Stanfield Street to Angela Boulevard’s intersection with Pokagon Street. On the north curbline of Pokagon Street, face west and follow a line to a line extended north from the east property line of 418 Pokagon Street. Turn south and follow a line with the east property lines of 418 Pokagon, 415 and 416 Peashway, and 417 Napolean Streets, crossing Pokagon, Peashway, and Napolean Streets to the south curbline of Napolean Street.
On the south curbline of Napolean Street, the southward line aligns with the east side of the north/south alley between Stanfield and Lawrence Streets. Follow the east side of the alley to the north curbline of St. Vincent Street, then turn west
and follow the north curbline to the west curbline of Stanfield Street. Turn south and follow a line with the west curbline of Stanfield Street, crossing St. Vincent and Howard Streets, to the north curbline of Corby Boulevard. Turn west and follow the north curbline of Corby Boulevard to the east curbline of Niles Avenue. Turn northwest and follow the east
curbline of Niles Avenue to the north curbline of Howard Street. At the north curbline of Howard Street, turn west and follow the north curbline of Howard Street, which becomes East North Shore Drive, to a line extended northeast from the east property line of 140 East North Shore Drive. Turn southwest and follow the east property line of 140 East North Shore Drive to its south property line which is the north bank of the St. Joseph River. Turn west and follow the north bank of the river to the east curbline of Michigan Street, then turn north and follow the east curbline of Michigan Street, crossing East North Shore Drive and Pokagon Street, to the south curbline of Angela Boulevard, or the place of beginning. DATE OF STAFF REVIEW: December 8, 2025 CASE HISTORY: Historic Preservation Administrator Ross Van Overberghe identified the Harter Heights 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 early 2025 with 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 the listing of the Harter Heights Historic District to the Staff of the Historic Preservation Commission of South Bend & St. Joseph County
on October 29, 2025. The nomination has been reviewed by staff and is formally submitted for public hearing at the December 15, 2025, 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 have reviewed the nomination and associated materials as provided by Kurt West Garner. The application for the Harter Heights Historic District in South Bend, Indiana, is 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 possessing high artistic values, or representing a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction.
The Harter Heights Historic District in South Bend, Indiana, represents a rich tapestry of American residential architecture from 1904 to 1960. Under criterion C/architecture, the district is notable for homes showcasing styles that evolved over
five decades, with Colonial Revival being the most dominant. Other significant styles include American Foursquare, Craftsman/Bungalow, and Prairie Style, alongside romantic revivals such as Tudor, Renaissance Revival, French Eclectic, and English Cottage. Later additions introduced modern forms like Ranch, American Small House, Art Moderne, and Usonian-inspired designs. This diversity reflects changing architectural trends and suburban ideals during the early and mid-20th century. The district is also notable under criterion A/community planning and development as the district’s development was shaped by its strategic location between downtown South Bend and the University of Notre Dame, offering suburban amenities with easy city access. Planned features such as wide boulevards, sidewalks, tree lawns, and ornamental lighting underscored its appeal to upper- and middle-class families. Many homes were designed by prominent architects, including W.W. Schneider, Austin & Shambleau, and Callix E. Miller, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship. Despite later infill and
modernization, Harter Heights retains exceptional historic integrity, making it a significant example of suburban growth and architectural evolution in the Midwest.
The district also qualifies under the multiple properties documentation form: Historic Residential Suburbs in the U.S., 1830-1960. The Harter Heights Historic District is largely composed by the Harter Heights Addition recorded in 1916 with residential lots marketed for suburban living between the center part of the city and the campus of Notre Dame
University. Therefore, the district qualifies under the sub-type of the MPDF: Early Automobile Suburbs: 1908 to 1945. Staff finds the application makes a good case for nomination through its research and documentation along with supporting materials. STAFF COMMENTS: Staff have 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 have also determined that the Harter Heights 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 district 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 Harter Heights 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.