Historical and architectural survey begins in county

Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, the Indiana Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, and the Ball State University Center for Historic Preservation are collaborating to identify all of Carroll County's historic sites and structures.

The public is invited to a kickoff meeting to learn more about the field survey project on Thursday, July 9, at 7 p.m.

The Wabash & Erie Canal Conference and Interpretive Center, 1030 North Washington Street in Delphi, will host the event.

The federally and locally funded project began May 1 and fieldwork will continue through the next 11 months.

Amanda Taylor, project coordinator for the Ball State Center for Historic Preservation, will present a brief slide show about the project, introduce the surveyors, and answer questions from the public. Tommy Kleckner, director of Historic Landmarks Foundation's Western Regional Office, will also be available to discuss the project.

Field surveyors Sarah Church, Kimberly Finzel, James Hall, Megan Hopkin, and Courtney Theis will drive every road in Carroll County to locate, document, and photograph all historic sites, structures, and districts built before 1969 that meet survey criteria. Brief histories of the county's towns and their historic districts, as well as photos highlighting the county's outstanding homes, commercial buildings, cemeteries, and bridges, will be included in a publication that will be issued when the survey is completed.

"The survey of Carroll County is important and timely," said Taylor, who will supervise the effort. "State and federal agencies conducting projects using government funds must include a review of historic structures that will be impacted by their projects. Having an up-to-date historic sites and structures inventory shortens the approval process and allows development, including road and highway improvements, to occur with fewer regulatory delays."

In addition, towns, planning agencies, and historical organizations can use the data to identify historic buildings and districts that should be nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. Teachers use survey information to instruct their students about local history and architecture. Eighty-eight counties have already been surveyed as part of the state's ongoing historic inventory program.

County citizens can greatly assist the surveyors by providing accurate historical information and allowing photographs to be taken of their properties. Upon publication of the illustrated survey report, the original forms and photographs will be filed at the state's Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology in Indianapolis.

The Carroll County survey and publication projects are funded in part by matching grants from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service's Historic Preservation Fund administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. Local sponsors include Carroll County Wabash & Erie Canal, Inc., Carroll County Historical Society, Camden Preservation Society, and Delphi Preservation Society. Those who have questions about the survey and the July 9 presentation may call Amanda Taylor, 765-213-3540, ext. 234.