2010 Editor’s Note

 

Due to modern editing software, some appearances will not match the original document as it was presented to the Department of Interior.    These are caused either by spacing differences, font changes or punctuation changes.      

 

It is clear from the creation of the lists that a tight-deadline had to be reached.    In addition, different individuals contributed to the compilation and it is reflected in slight differences in the appearances street-by-street.    The editor has sought to correct grammatical and punctuation errors and to establish when possible a consistent appearance throughout the document.

 

Other changes are based on the judgment of the editor.      Descriptions such as, ‘parking lot’, ‘double house’, and ‘vacant lot’ were often placed under ‘historic names’.     To better reflect this category, these descriptions were moved to the ‘style/comments’.      A good example of why this was necessary.    There is a parking lot mentioned on Washington Street.     This site was the location of the first woman’s high school in America.    Posting ‘parking lot’ hardly reflects the history obscured by demolition, natural or man-made. (It had burned down.)

 

Since the Inventory was not apparently designed to match the Survey, many homes with distinctive names and rich histories have been left blank under the ‘historic name’ category.       The absence of this information does not in any way detract from the compilation but does invite historians and historic preservationist to pursue further research to establish the true historical status of particular structures.   It definitely does not establish ‘non-historic’ when left blank.    I invite the reader to check the National Register Historic Survey to see if it matches with a particular home.     Even then, many historically-rich structures were overlooked in 1984 since the Survey was designed to be only a ‘sampling’ from the 2,750 plus structures in the district.

 

The Inventory has established certain descriptions under the ‘historic name’ which reflect the intended use of the building.    Examples are ‘commercial bldg.’, ‘former firehouse’ and ‘former house’ or ‘former factory’.     The editor has chosen to keep these in place to reflect the history but to move such descriptions as ‘house & carriage’, ‘house & stable’ or ‘house & shed’ to the ‘style/comments’ column when describing what is present on the property.

 

Finally, the Inventory was established in 1984 with a baseline of 1930 and before.    Historical status is a sliding scale on a timeline and many homes that are labeled ‘INT’ (Intrusion) would now be considered either a ‘MC’ or ‘C’ if built on or before 1960 as of the posting of this online version.

 

Only the survey as submitted and reviewed in 1984 has been certified by the National Register.    Any additions or updates posted online thereafter will be in bold face.      Any house descriptions will have references attached for verification.      Those homes that are ‘INT’ will be noted as ‘contributing’ in bold face if they range from 1930 to 1960.        

 

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