Historic Preservation Program

The City of Council Bluff is a Certified Local Government (CLG). The City has established a local preservation program and signed an agreement with the State of Iowa, agreeing to develop and administer the historic preservation program in such a way that it complies with national and state preservation goals and standards.

Local Program

In 1980, the Council Bluffs City Council adopted its first historic preservation ordinance, which created a seven member advisory commission. The Historic Preservation Commission has four main roles within the program. These include:

• recommending designation of locally significant landmarks, landmark sites and or historic districts;

• recommending and reviewing nominations for listing on the National Register of Historic Places;

• reviewing requests for exterior modifications of locally designated properties and issue either a 'Certificate of Appropriateness' or a 'Certificate of Economic Hardship'; and

• preparing preservation plans for improvements within the city.

Designation as a local historic landmark provides a means to ensure that any exterior changes to the property are made consistent with the established Secreatry of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. All requests for exterior modifications must be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission and issued a 'Certificate of Appropriateness' prior to any permit issuance for work to the exterior of the property.

Historic Preservation Awards - May 13, 2008 3:30 PM

Historic Preservation Ordinance

National Register of Historic Places

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 established the National Register of Historic Places and authorized funds to the states for historic preservation activities. The National Park Service, Department of the Interior, administers this program. The National Historic Preservation Act gave local governments an opportunity to form a partnership with the state and federal governments. When the State Historic Preservation Office certifies that a local government has established a preservation program which meets federal and state standards, then the city can be designated as a Certified Local Government (CLG).

Nominations for listing on the National Register of Historic Places must be considered by the Historic Preservation Commission at a public hearing. After public hearing the Commission must make a finding based on the eligibility criteria. Upon making a finding the Commisison must transmit the proposal and its recommendation to the Mayor for consideration. The City's findings are then transmitted to the State Historic Preservation Officer. The Preservation Officer reviews the proposal and makes comment to the City. Following review by the State Nomination Review Committee, the nomination is forwarded to the National Park Service.

Properties on the National Register of Historic Places

• August Beresheim House - 621 Third Street

• Grenville M. Dodge House - 605 South Third Street

• Lysander W. Tulleys House - 151 Park Avenue

• Martin Hughes House - 903 Third Street

• O.P. Wickham House - 616 South Seventh Street

• Pottawattamie County Jail - 226 Pearl Street

• Reverend Little's Young Ladies Seminary - 541 Sixth Avenue

• Ruth Anne Dodge Memorial - Fairview Cemetary

• Saint Peter's Church and Rectory* - 1 Bluff Street

• State Savings Bank - 509 West Broadway

• Thomas E. Calvin House - 150 Park Avenue

• Thomas Jefferis House - 523 Sixth Avenue

• YMCA Building - 628 First Avenue

• Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Passenger Depot - 1512 South Main Street

• John Shea House*-309 South Eighth Street

• Wickham De-Vol House* - 332 Willow Avenue

• Council Bluffs Free Public Library* - 200 Pearl Street

• Ervin/Bennett Building* - 405 West Broadway

*Indicates a dual listing as a local historic landmark and/or district.

Historic Districts on the National Register of Historic Places

• Haymarket Commercial Historic District*

• 100 Block of West Broadway Historic District*

• Bluff/Willow/Third Street Historic District

Lincoln/Fairview Historic District