Jackson preservation

Unlike Cape Girardeau and Scott City, Jackson doesn't have an Historic Preservation Commission watching over historic treasures. It does have an active group of historically minded volunteers in the Jackson Heritage Association, which restored and maintains the Oliver House.

News that a group of Jackson merchants is interested in establishing an uptown historic district is welcome.

Jackson already has sites on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Oliver House, the Frizel Welling House at 209 W. Main St. and Old McKendree Chapel along with the Big Hill Farmstead Historic District in the Jackson vicinity.

There are tax advantages to putting a district on the National Register, which the owners recently used to renovate the Marquette Tower in Cape Girardeau. Making use of the tax credits places restrictions on what can and can't be done with the building. The renovation has to be negotiated with the state Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. For instance, the Marquette renovators had to repair instead of replace the windows. But no restrictions are placed on National Register properties that do not receive government funding. If something is done to the property that destroys its integrity, it would be taken off the National Register.

Dr. Stephen Hoffman, director of the Historic Preservation Program at Southeast Missouri State University, says historic designation doesn't automatically translate into increased tourism. It must then be marketed.

Heritage tourism is one of the best growth areas in the industry today, and Jackson is wise to investigate the possibilities.