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describe how this building relates to the areas of significance identified in the National Register
nomination in terms of its use and appearance.
For buildings not currently listed in the NRHP, explain why the building is important. Provide
the history of the property as described in the paragraph above and explain how the building is
eligible for the NRHP. To be listed in the NRHP, buildings must be considered significant for
their architecture, association with important events or history, or association with important
persons. Buildings may have one or more of these areas of significance. However, they must
retain integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. A
building may be eligible as a contributing resource in a potential National Register historic
district if it is one of a concentrated group of buildings that relate to one another under any of
the areas of significance. There may be modern and non-contributing buildings within the
boundaries of a potential district, but the majority of buildings must retain enough integrity to
create a cohesive and concentrated historic district. In some rare instances, a building may be
individually eligible for the NRHP if it retains integrity and is an exemplary example in its area
of significance.
For further details on property research, refer to “Guide to Researching Old Buildings in
Alabama” located at www.preserveala.org/alabamaregister.aspx . Continue History and
Significance section on blank paper if additional space is needed.
Example:
This bungalow was constructed in 1914 and is contributing resource #156 in the Garden District Historic District.
The Garden District has a period of significance from 1890 to 1930 and is significant as “a representative example
of a Southern suburban neighborhood…and reflects the impact that the streetcar and automobile had on the
process of suburbanization in the South.” This parcel was part of the subdivision of property by Mr. K.H. Clitheral
in 1893 and was located near the Perry Street spur of the streetcar line to downtown. Lots in this subdivision
were typically 50 feet by 150 feet and were developed and marketed to a diverse working class for its easy
access to automobile routes and streetcar lines. The property abstract shows Noble Seay and his wife as the first
owners, selling the property to Irene P. Feagan in 1944 for $6,100. She sold the house in 1959 to Charles
Houston Smith and Rosalie B. Smith. Subsequent owners included John D. Pickett, Jr. and Gerald C. Phillips.
The Garden District is also significant “for its collection of fine 19
th
and early 20
th
century domestic structures” that
includes both architect-designed houses as well as representative examples of middle and working class
dwellings. This property is a good example of a modest early 20
th
century bungalow and exhibits architectural
features and historic materials typical of the period. Its age, style, materials, and workmanship make this building
compatible with the historic character of the district.
7. Photographs: Provide current photographs of the property. They must be printed in color
on photographic paper. Printed photos must be clear and have sufficient resolution to show
details and must be sized at least 4 inches by 6 inches. Photos should include views of all
exterior sides of the building, major interior spaces and features, and representative secondary
spaces. Number each photo and label the back with the date taken and the view or location of
the image, such as “North elevation, façade” or “Second level hallway.” Photos keyed to a
floor plan sketch are useful. For applicants seeking a determination of eligibility that a building
contributes to a potential historic district, provide photographs of buildings along the street and
in the general vicinity (to illustrate your idea of the potential district) in addition to photos of the
subject building. Please organize the photos in a letter-size envelope.
Map: Include a map of the existing National Register historic district with the building identified.
If the property is not located within a National Register historic district, provide a general
location map that shows a number of streets or blocks of streets with the building identified,
and provide a boundary line of the larger area that may be considered a potential historic
district.
