Do you own an residential or commercial property of historic significance to Cannon Beach? If so, we invite you to participate in our Historial Plaque Program, aimed at highlighting historic structures within our community, and increasing public awareness of our historical heritage found in our buildings and sites.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM?
- To increase awareness of the Historical Society, and to encourage potential members to join
- To fulfill the Society’s mission to educate residents, visitors, and tourists regarding Cannon Beach’s history
- To encourage property owners to preserve and/or rehabilitate their own historical properties
- To raise funds for the Society through fees charged for historical plaques awarded to eligible properties.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
Eligibility: Historical plaques are awarded to both residential and commercial properties. To be eligible for an historical plaque, a building must meet all of the following criteria:
- Age (must be at least 50 years old)
- Location (must be in Cannon Beach or its environs, e.g, Arch Cape)
- Significance (must be tied to an historic person, architectural style, organization, site, or event)
In addition, special consideration will be given to structures which: - Are included on an historical resources survey, or the State or National Register of Historic Places
- Demonstrate rehabilitation techniques in keeping with the architectural style of the structure
Application: If your property meets the criteria, we invite you to complete an application form The application form includes the following information: name and address of the building; name and address of property owner and applicant (if not the same individual); date structure was built; historical significance; name of architect and/or builder (if known); original or historic use and owner; subsequent or current use and subsequent owners. Applicants are requested to include any background research, as well as a photo of the current structure and a photo of the historical structure (if available). This information will be kept in the Historical Society’s files for research purposes. When you have completed the form, please return it to the Historical Society: by mail to P.O. Box 1005,
Cannon Beach, OR 97110, or drop in at the History Center, Wednesday through Monday 1-5 pm: 1387 South Spruce Street.
Note that y ou will need a current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to view our form.
Review/Selection: Requests for historical plaques are submitted on the application form to the Historical Society and reviewed at the next available Board meeting by the entire Board of Directors, who will also determine the wording for the plaque. The applicant will be notified of the Board’s decision, and, if the plaque application is rejected, the reasons why the structure did not meet eligibility criteria. In the case of commercial properties, CBHS may be required to obtain a sign variance in the applicant’s name from the City of Cannon Beach. Commercial properties have limitations in terms of the number of signs allowed on their exterior. Residential properties are not subject to these limitations and would not require a permit from the City to place the sign.
Ordering: Once the request has been approved by the Board, and any variances have been obtained (if applicable), and the applicant has been notified and submitted the fee for the plaque, CBHS staff will place an order with the sign supplier . When the plaque is completed, staff will contact the applicant and provide them with the completed plaque to place on their property.
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