7.1. HRSR 07-29-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Abstract/Executive Summary The Elk River Historic Contexts Study and Phase II Inventory of the downtown commercial area was commissioned in 2002 by the Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission and the Elk River Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Carole Zellie of Landscape Research served as the principal investigator for both projects. Historic Contexts Part One outlines six Elk River historic contexts.Historic contexts provide a framework with which to evaluate the historic,architectural,and landscape architectural significance of inventoried properties.A property can be significant within one or more historic contexts. Properties grouped within historic contexts share a common theme,geographical area,and time period.Contexts studies typically precede intensive historic resource inventories that record a variety of architectural and historical information useful in further preservation planning. Further inventory of residential and agricultural properties is recommended;additional recommendations follow each context and are summarized on pages 44-45. The Elk River Historic Contexts identified in this study are Landscape Setting,1848-1950; Agriculture,1950-1950;Transportation,1848-1950;Industry and Commerce,1851-1950; Residential Architecture,1851-1930,and Schools,Churches,Cemeteries,and Local Institutions, 1857-1920. The Oliver Kelley Farm is the only property currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.No local designations have yet been made by the Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission(HPC). The HPC was created in 2001. Phase II Inventory Part Two reports the results of a Phase II inventory of 23 properties in the Elk River downtown commercial area.The study area is bounded by Highway 10 at the north,Main Street at the south,King Street at the east,and Jackson Street at the west. The objective of the Phase II study was to determine the significance of historic resources in downtown Elk River and assess their potential eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The study found that none the properties appear to be eligible for the National Register. However,five buildings on the west side of Jackson Street are recommended for further study. They are significant as part of the core of early twentieth-century downtown Elk River and retain varying amounts of their original historic facades. Future revitalization plans for this area are at an early stage,and may include restoration of existing buildings as well as new construction. Coupled with the information contained in the Industry and Commerce historic context,the Phase II study can contribute to plans for downtown revitalization and also assist the Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission in determining future local designations,including a potential downtown commercial historic district. Preservation of Elk River's distinctive river setting and historic commercial buildings is an important part of future downtown development. New downtown construction should be compatible with the materials,style,placement,height,and pedestrian-oriented scale of existing historic buildings. •