City sought historic status

Twenty-five years ago this week, the City of Portland was anticipating a special designation.

On Sept. 22, 1995, The Commercial Review featured a story about the city’s downtown area preparing to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“You’re going to have a district here in the next few months,” said Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources architect Tom Meredith.

Jane Nolan, a historian with Weintraut and Nolan Associates, said she expected the company to complete the nomination paperwork the following month.

Meredith and Nolan were among a group of officials who visited Portland to talk about the tax advantages that would be available for historic preservation and rehabilitation.

“All across the state, communities are looking at their downtowns,” said Fred Holycross, director of the regional office for Historic Landmarks Foundation. “Portland is not unique in that way. There’s an awful lot of historic fabric left (in the downtown). You have one of the most attractive courthouses in the state … It’s just a lovely place, something everyone in Jay County can feel pride about.”

The proposed historic district included both sides of Meridian Street from just north of Arch Street to the Salamonie River and sections of Walnut, Commerce and Main streets.

Holycross pointed out to those in attendance that the tax credits that would be available were targeted at long-term improvements.

“For folks who see this as a short-term way to get tax credits, it won’t work,” he said. “It’s not just about the property owner’s) bottom line, it’s about the bottom line for the community.”