The plaque on the Hunt County Courthouse that designates it is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Earlier this week the Hunt County Historical Commission, County Judge John Horn, and the Hunt County Commissioners Court marked the 170th anniversary of the Act to Create Hunt County with a new plaque on the front of the Hunt County Courthouse. The plaque acknowledged the fact that the courthouse is on the National Register of Historic Places, or National Register as it is commonly called. That designation is the gold standard for historic preservation.
Created by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is the official list of historic places within the United States worthy of preservation. There are approximately 90,540 listings at present with some 1,030 sites added in 2014. The National Park Service oversees the process.
According to the National Park Service website (www.nps.gov) the mission of the National Register is to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources. Currently Hunt County has seven sites listed on the National Register. Included are the William and Medora Camp House on St. John Street, Central Christian Church, Hunt County Courthouse, the Katy Depot, the Post Office Building (Landmark on Lee), the Washington Hotel in Greenville as well as the President’s House in Commerce.
Obviously not all of the listings are governmental structures. Some are private homes, building on college campuses or even local schools, businesses, and even archeological sites are eligible. All are at least fifty years old. The façade of none of the structures have been changed. All are important and unique in local history. Many are known for their architecture or as products of outstanding architects. Others are historic churches, or homes of enterprising citizens.
The Hunt County Historical Commission is the coordinating organization and starting point for the process. At least two of our members have experience with National Register applications. As chairman of the commission, I believe there are at least five or ten more sites in Hunt County eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Texas Historic Marker that recognizes the 1929 Hunt County Courthouse.
The application process for both the National Register and a Texas Historic Recorded Landmark is somewhat lengthy but has no fee required for the National Register unless a plaque is ordered. Texas Historical Markers are somewhat more expensive. Both designations allow the owner of the property to make interior changes but suggest that the exterior retain its historical integrity. A perfect example is the Greenville Post Office, now known as Landmark on Lee. The outside is just like it was the day Audie Murphy walked in to volunteer for the Army at the beginning of World War II. Yet, the interior is completely different.
Not only does the National Park Service oversee the National Register of Historic Places, but it has two sections on its website worth visiting. One is dedicated to helping travelers find unique and historically interesting places to visit in the United States. The other purpose is the historical data included in the site. I looked at Civil War Cemeteries and found quite a bit of information concerning Union Cemeteries. I highly recommend the website for vacation ideas or school projects.
If you are interested in learning more about pursuing a National Register of Historic Places designation, please feel free to contact the Hunt County Historical Commission website (www.huntcohc.org)