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Historic Contexts Defined <br /> <br />Historic contexts are part of the foundation for preservation <br />planning, and assist in making decisions about planning, <br />identification, evaluation, registration, and treatment of <br />historic properties.~ Historic contexts provide a framework <br />with which to evaluate the historic, architectural, and <br />landscape architectural significance of inventoried properties. <br />A property can be significant within one or more historic <br />contexts. Properties grouped within historic contexts share a <br />common theme, geographical area, and time period. Elk <br />River's historic contexts intersect with broader statewide <br />historic contexts such as Early Agriculture and River <br />Settlement (1840-1870); Railroads and Agricultural <br />Development (1870-1940), and Hydroelectric Power (1880- <br />1940)." <br /> <br />When-combined veith an intensive historic resources inventory, <br />the historic contexts study will provide the City of Elk River <br />City with comprehensive information about the location and <br />significance of its remaining historic resources, including its <br />downtown, mill sites, and residential areas. <br /> <br />The following Elk River historic contexts were identified: <br />1. Landscape Setting, 1848-1950 <br /> <br />2. Agriculture, 1850-1950 <br /> <br />3. Transportation, 1848-1950 <br /> <br />4. Commerce and Industry, 1851-1950 <br /> <br />5. Residential Architecture, 1851-1930 <br /> <br />6. Schools, Churches, Cemeteries, and Local Institutions, 1857- <br />1920 <br /> <br />The National Register of Historic Places <br /> <br />One objective of d~,eloping historic contexts and historic <br />resources inventories is to determine which properties might <br />be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). <br />The National Register was established by the National Historic <br />Preservation Act of 1966. It is the official federal listing of the <br />nation's cultural resources deemed worthy of preservation. <br />The National Park Service maintains the list that includes <br />properties of local and state significance as well as those of <br />national significance. <br /> <br />A property listed on the National Register must meet at least <br />one of four criteria. Under the first criterion, a property may be <br />registered if it is associated with events that have made a <br />significant contribution to the broad patterns of national, state, <br />or local history. Under the second, a property may be <br />registered if it is associated with the lives of persons important <br />in the past. The third criterion addresses architectural <br />significance, and the fourth addresses archaeological <br /> <br />Elk River Historic Contexts and Phase [! Downtown Commercial Area Study <br /> 4 <br /> <br /> <br />