Survey Report, West Boulevard Historic Resources Survey (District and Expansion), Reconnaissance Level Survey/Resurvey

Rosin Preservation, LLC

Abstract: "The objectives for the West Boulevard Historic Resources Survey (District and Expansion) were to photograph and evaluate the integrity of each resource currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places as part of the West Boulevard Historic District listed in 1974 (NRIS #74001898) and in the Boundary Increase listed in 1995 (NRIS #95000770) to determine the extent of alterations to those properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places that have occurred since 1995. An additional objective was to identify those properties in the District which, on the basis of alterations or changes in integrity that have occurred since 1995, could potentially render them non-contributing to the District and to substantiate such assessments; or to identify those properties in the District which have reached fifty years of age and retain integrity. Such resources may be re-evaluated within the expanded context, potentially rendering them as contributing to the District. This project also sought to identify, record, photograph, and evaluate through architectural/historic survey those individual properties within the Survey Area but outside the District that, on the basis of age, integrity, and associations, meet the eligibility criteria for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and to substantiate such assessments. The purpose of evaluating resources was to determine whether they have lost integrity and no longer contribute to the District or whether they have become eligible since the last evaluation and do contribute to the District. An additional objective was to prepare a basic context for evaluating resources that may have become eligible within the last twenty years. The findings of the survey were to be used to recommend changes to the boundaries of the District and to the contributing/non-contributing status of previously listed resources. The City of Rapid City (City) and the Historic Preservation Commission contracted with Rosin Preservation, LLC to conduct the five-phase reconnaissance level survey/resurvey. The survey met the stated objectives. Updated records for all resources in the survey area were uploaded to the South Dakota Historic Sites Survey online database. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) reviewed and approved the forms, including the recommended contributing/noncontributing status of each resource. In general, most of the resources previously listed as contributing retained sufficient integrity to convey associations with the areas of significance identified in the nomination. The survey identified 110 resources that should change status. Fortyseven resources that were contributing to the District have lost integrity and should become noncontributing. Fifty-four resources listed as non-contributing should now be considered contributing because the resources or their alterations have reached fifty years of age. The context developed in this report supports the eligibility of mid-century resources within the existing Historic District. The mid-century context was also used to support the recommendation to include resources located just outside the District, particularly the St. Elmo Addition south of the 1995 boundary. The survey also examined the commercial encroachment of Mount Rushmore Road and its effects on historic resources on the east boundary of the West Boulevard Historic District." Project funding was provided in part by a 2015 Historic Preservation Fund grant to the City of Rapid City (project number SD-15-020) administered by the South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office (grant number P15AF00064) and the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Rapid City, South Dakota is a Certified Local Government.

Survey Report, West Boulevard Historic Resources Survey (District and Expansion), Reconnaissance Level Survey/Resurvey

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