About

What is the Linn County Historic Preservation Commission?

The Linn County Historic Preservation Commission's primary duties involve the built environment. The commission's responsibilities are outlined in the State Historical Society of Iowa January 2007 publication, Iowa's Certified Local Government Program. In summary:

  • The commission is part of local government, serving at the pleasure of the county board of supervisors. The commission must keep these officials informed of their activities, actions, and plans.
  • Commissioners are to develop local historic preservation policy and programs and actively engage in doing activities called for by the local preservation program.
  • Commissioners are to facilitate and participate in Certified Local Government (CLG) and Historic Resources Development Program (HRDP) grant-funded projects.

More information can be found in the Responsibilities of Iowa CLG Historic Preservation Commissioners.

The commission also administers and monitors the Linn County Historic Preservation Grant Program.

What is a CLG?

The Certified Local Government (CLG) Program recognizes local governments that, through their own initiative, have established local historic preservation programs. Since 1966, when Congress established a historic preservation program for the United States, the national preservation program has operated as a decentralized partnership of federal government and state government.

Benefits

Municipal and county governments benefit in many ways from designation as a CLG. Local governments that participate in the CLG program:

  • Play a direct role in the National Register of Historic Places nomination process
  • Are eligible to receive grant funds set aside specifically for CLG projects
  • May participate in other state and federal historic preservation programs
  • Receive direct technical assistance from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

CLG Role in the National Register Nomination Process

Whenever a place within a CLG is proposed for nomination to the National Register, the nomination is automatically forwarded by the SHPO to the chief elected official and the preservation commission for review and comment. The CLG has up to 60 days to review the nomination, solicit public comment, and make its comments to the SHPO. THE SHPO will notify the CLG of potential National Register nominations, affording the opportunity for CLGs to work with applicants to develop appropriate nominations.

Historic Sites Owned by Linn County

Linn County Conservation manages five historic sites on behalf of Linn County:

  • Center Point Depot
  • Wickiup Hill
  • Abbe Creek School
  • Matsell Bridge
  • Paris Bridge