<body><div>A survey of downtown North Platte has identified 68 properties that may be eligible for individual listing on the National Register of Historic Places.The North Platte city council got a look at the results of the $16,000 survey Tuesday.The Historic Preservation Commission has unanimously recommended the council adopt the survey as an official city document.The survey gives city officials and property owners an up-to-date resource for preservation planning and potential financial assistance.The report also includes a 10-page detailed history of North Platte, including the city’s early railroad development, the Lincoln Highway, downtown commerce, historic churches and civic buildings, as well as the demolition of several prominent structures.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2H7Osv_1DWP3uGQ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2H7Osv_1DWP3uGQ00" width="527" height="304" ><figcaption>The city’s first fire station at Front and Vine Streets.</figcaption></figure>The city authorized Miller &amp; Associates in February to do the study, updating a previous survey in 2009. The project was fully funded through Nebraska’s Certified Local Government grants program.More than 270 properties were surveyed across 41 blocks in and around downtown. Unlike the 2009 study, this survey included more commercial, residential, religious, governmental, and industrial properties north of the Union Pacific railroad tracks.The list includes the former Carnegie Library, former fire station, the Wilcox-Hinman building that now houses Sherwin-William’s Paints and Husker Radio, the original city hospital at 8th and Jeffers, the Keith Theatre, Elks Lodge, Masonic Temple, Paramount Theatre, Municipal Light and Water, grain elevators, several churches, houses, and commercial buildings.Three of the properties are already individually listed on the National Register — the Fox Theatre, Hotel Yancey aka Hotel Pawnee, and the Lincoln County Courthouse.Also, the entire North Platte Commercial Historic District, encompassing much of downtown, is already on the register.Inclusion in the new survey does not automatically place a property on the National Register, however, and does not require the city or a property owner to take further action.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2FdgyJ_1DWP3uGQ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2FdgyJ_1DWP3uGQ00" width="634" height="747" ><figcaption>The survey area</figcaption></figure>Assistant City Planner and Grants Administrator Kevin Kreger said a property owner or interested party would need to pursue the National Register nomination process. A property’s inclusion in the survey may indicate that it deserves further study but does not guarantee that it would qualify.Properties generally must be at least 50 years old and retain enough of their historic design, materials, setting and character to demonstrate their significance.“I think this is a great thing for the community,” Councilman Nick McNew said. “I think it’s a great benefit to have a study done like this and to have benefits for these historic buildings.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2hkfLf_1DWP3uGQ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2hkfLf_1DWP3uGQ00" width="501" height="313" ><figcaption>The Masonic building downtown at Fifth and Dewey.</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1NvEYf_1DWP3uGQ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1NvEYf_1DWP3uGQ00" width="336" height="247" ><figcaption>An American Foursquare residence, prevalent from 1900-30.</figcaption></figure>Council members questioned how the city might use the survey and how property owners could learn about financial assistance to restore historic buildings.McNew said some property owners may not realize that their buildings could qualify for tax credits, grants or other preservation programs.Kreger said the survey is available on the city’s website and through the Historic Preservation Commission’s page, Here. The page also includes the 2009 downtown survey and a 1993 survey that covered historic properties throughout Lincoln County.The new report includes information about state and federal historic tax credits, valuation incentives, Community Development Block Grants, Tax Increment Financing, and Micro-TIF.By itself, the National Register listing does not restrict a private property owner’s ability to sell, manage, alter or demolish a building. It does not require an owner to restore or maintain the property. It does not automatically create special zoning or a local landmark designation.The listing can, however, make income-producing properties eligible for federal and state rehabilitation tax credits. Other programs may provide grants, temporary property valuation benefits or assistance with redevelopment costs.Councilman Ty Lucas also pointed to North Platte’s previous façade grant program as an example of how the survey could be used if the city considers similar assistance in the future.The façade grant program used the Quality Growth Fund to help downtown property owners improve the exteriors. Lucas said it resulted in substantial improvements.Lucas said, “this will be a handy tool to analyze,” any future requests for façade assistance or similar programs.The survey does not create a new façade program nor provide funding to the owners of the identified properties. Any city assistance would require more consideration and approval.The report states that historic preservation can support tourism and economic development while helping communities retain buildings and places connected to their history.© 2026 The North Platte Bulletin. All rights reserved!</div></body>

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A survey of downtown North Platte has identified 68 properties that may be eligible for individual listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The North Platte city council got a look at the results of the $16,000 survey Tuesday. The Historic Preservation Commission has unanimously recommended the council adopt...

Updated downtown survey identifies historical buildings

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A survey of downtown North Platte has identified 68 properties that may be eligible for individual listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The

Updated downtown survey identifies historical buildings

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