National Register includes several sites
A number of buildings and sites in Marion County are on the National Register of Historic Places.
The number should grow by two this year, as Marion County Park and Lake, and the William Schaeffler House in Hillsboro, were recommended for the national register.
Owners may qualify for tax credits and grants to preserve or restore property. Often, historical properties serve to attract tourists as well.
Designation also can help protect the property. State law says required permits must be obtained for any project that would "encroach upon, damage, or destroy any historic property included in the national register of historic places or the state register of historic places, or the environs of such property."
The fine for failing to obtain a permit is up to $25,000.
The state historic preservation officer, who is the head of the Kansas State Historic Society, must be notified of any project requiring a building permit if it is within 500 feet of a designated historic property within city limits. In unincorporated areas, it is 1,000 feet.
City or county building officials must initiate the review of projects.
Notification must include information such as legal description of the property, written description of the work to be done, and photos. The state must respond within 30 days. If the state reviewer believes the project will not encroach on the historic property or its environs, the work can continue.
The state reviews projects based on federal standards established for evaluating effects.
If the reviewer believes it will impact the project, they can offer suggestions about project modifications to meet standards.
If conditions are not met, the project must stop unless the governing body (city or county) determines that no feasible or prudent alternative to the project exists, and that the project contains provisions to minimize damage to historic properties. If the property owner is dissatisfied with the ruling, they can appeal to district court.
County sites
According to the Kansas State Historical Society website (kshs.org), the following structures are on the National Register:
Burns — Burns Union School, Main and Ohio (approved March 26, 1975).
Durham — Various segments of the Santa Fe Trail (May 11, 1995).
Florence — Harvey House, 204 West Third (Aug. 14, 1973). Doyle Place, southeast of U.S.-77 and Santa Fe Railway (Oct. 11, 2000).
Hillsboro — Pioneer Adobe House, South Ash (March 30, 1973). William Schaeffler House, 312 East Grand (pending).
Lincolnville — Bethel School, five miles east of Lincolnville (Dec. 17, 1987). Island Field Ranch House, U.S.-56/77 (May 11, 1995).
Lost Springs — The actual spring, near Lost Springs (Sept. 30, 1976).
Marion — Marion Archeological District (April 21, 1976). Hill Grade School, 601 East Main (May 28, 1976). Marion County Courthouse, Third and Williams (May 28, 1976). Elgin Hotel, Third and Santa Fe (Sept. 13, 1978). Marion County Park and Lake, one mile east, 1.5 miles south of Marion (pending).
Peabody — Old Peabody Library, Walnut and Division (July 2, 1973). Peabody Township Carnegie Library, 214 Walnut (June 25, 1987). J.S. Schroeder Building, 111 North Walnut (Dec. 6, 1991). W.H. Morgan House, 212 North Walnut (Jan. 22, 1996). Peabody Downtown Historic District, Walnut between Division and First (May 29, 1998).
