State Historic Preservation Board to Meet Aug. 25

The North Dakota State Historic Preservation Review Board will meet Friday, Aug.25 at 10 a.m. in the Lecture Rooms at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck. The meeting is open to the public. The board reviews nominations to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) prior to their submission to the Keeper of the NRHP for official consideration. The following properties have been nominated: The Dease-Martineau House, Trading Post, and Oxcart Trail Segments near Leroy has log buildings built using “Red River construction” techniques and includes segments of oxcart trails. John W. Dease, Jr. had the post built and operated it not only as a trading post, but also as a meeting place that hosted many important figures in the region from 1868 until the1890s. The property came into the hands of the French and Métis Martineau family around 1900, and they transitioned the surrounding land for farming. The Martineau family preserved the property for most of the 20th century. The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lakota was designed by George Hancock with close collaboration from Bishop William D. Walker and built between 1884 and 1886. This stone church is an excellent example of the High Victorian Gothic/Second Gothic Revival architectural style. In addition to its architecture, this church represents the progressive cultural presence of the British gentry who promoted the town and sponsored the building of the first school in Lakota along with this church. The Burke County World War Memorial Hall in Flaxton was designed by C.A. Pear of Minot and built by William Nordman of Noonan with the dedication occurring in 1931. The $25,000 needed to construct the building was raised through a county mill levy and from private donations. Flaxton Memorial Hall is one of only seven World War I memorial buildings in the state built to house government offices, community groups, and events that is still used for this purpose today. The village of Manfred in Wells County is being nominated for the National Register of Historic Places as the Manfred Historic District because it is an excellent example of an agricultural town that showcases both the rise and decline that was common of rural towns across the state. Many of Manfred’s historic buildings are being preserved in an effort by Manfred History and Preservation, Inc. to maintain “an authentic settlers’ community celebrating rural America.” The National Register of Historic Places is the nation’s list of properties considered worthy of preservation. The documentation process for listing demonstrates the resource is significant in some aspect of the nation’s history. Contrary to some misconceptions about the National Register program, listing in it does not prevent owners from altering their property, restricting the use or sale of the property, or establish times requiring that the property must be open to the public. Entry into the National Register of Historic Places does give a property prestige, provides protection from federally-assisted projects, and provides eligibility for certain preservation financial incentives. For more information, contact the State Historic Preservation Office at 701.328.2089.