Adel Named To The National Register of Historic Places
Great News for Adel.
The Downtown area around the square has been named to the National Register of Historic Places.
This is a huge accolade for our community and one which we should all be proud.
Of particular note is the inclusion of not only the buildings, but separate designation and recognition of the Brick Streets themselves.
Please see the attached press release and accompanying map of the district.
The Adel Public Square District joins the Adel Wagon Bridge, the Dallas County Court House and the Court House lawn as Adel’s other listings on the National Register.
Chad A. Bird
City Administrator
City of Adel
515-993-4525
Fax 515-993-4527
Embracing our History, Celebrating our Future!
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Chad A. Bird, City Administrator, (515)993-4525
City of Adel’s Historic Downtown is Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Adel, IA (January 12, 2010) – Ann Robison, Secretary for the Adel Historic Preservation Commission announced today that the City’s historic downtown district has been placed on the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places. It is listed on the National Register as the Adel Public Square Historic District.
This listing is the culmination of more than three years worth of research and writing to describe the District’s historical significance in the community, the state, and the nation.
This project began with the writing of a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant request to hire a consultant to name the square surrounding the Courthouse to the National Register of Historic Places. The city was notified that it received the grant and work on the project began in May 2007.
Throughout the project, the Adel Historic Preservation Commission members were guided by the vision of consultant William Page and the Chamber’s Design Committee.
The City of Adel and the Commission are proud to have national recognition of the treasures the city has with its brick buildings and brick streets. The Commission is particularly pleased that the brick streets were included as part of the listing, because the city is beginning to plan a long term project to restore the brick streets. It is a rare occurrence that non-building type structures are listed on the Register. The brick streets are a “brand” for Adel and can be a focus for tourism. In all, more than 50 buildings and structures were included in the listing.
The city is excited about using the National Register of Historic Places listing as a catalyst for rejuvenation of the square, for historic tourism, and to jump start economic development. This project has increased public awareness of our historic and architectural treasures and will continue to do so as the listing is publicized. The listing was official as of December 18th, 2009. A map of the district is attached.
According to the official website: The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources. The site address is http://www.nps.gov/nr/
Additional questions may be directed to the office of the City Administrator, City Hall, 301 South 10th Street, Adel, IA 50003 or to the National Park Service, attn: Edson Beall via voice (202) 354-2255 or E-mail: Edson_Beall@nps.gov, or National Park Service 2280, National Register of Historic Places, 1201 “I” (Eye) Street, N.W.. Washington D.C. 20005.
