THE PUBLIC MIND: PRESERVATION PANEL HELPS MAKE THE CITY AWARE OF ITS HISTORY

To the Editor:

The old Farmers and Merchants Bank building on Good Hope and Sprigg streets is currently the location of the Salvation Army. This worthy organization is in need of more efficient space and has made the decision to demolish the building. The Historic Preservation Commission, an advisory commission to city government, has requested the Salvation Army reconsider its decision and save the building because of its historical significance.

This request and a similar request from the Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau have evoked responses from concerned citizens that the building holds no historical value. The matter of historic value can be measured in many ways and it is important that the community of Cape Girardeau understand the basis on which the Historic Preservation Commission makes recommendations.

The highest recognition a site or structure may receive is to be placed on The National Register of Historic Places. This recognition is a federal agency designation and to receive it the site or structure must meet certain requirements. These same requirements are used by the Commission in making recommendations as to the significance of city structures. For the benefit of the community, these minimum qualifications are listed:

1. Has significant character, interest or value, as part of the development, heritage or cultural characteristics of the city, state or nation; or is associated with the life of a person significant in the past.

2. Exemplifies the cultural, political, economic, social or historical heritage of the community.

3. Portrays the environment in an era of history characterized by a distinct architectural style.

4. Owing to its unique location or singular physical characteristics, represents an established and familiar visual feature of the neighborhood, community or city.

5. Any prehistoric/historic site(s) containing information of archaeological value in that it has produced or can be expected to produce data affecting theories of historic or prehistoric research interest as set forth in the State Historic Preservation Program master plan for cultural resources.

A partial survey of sections of Cape Girardeau has identified over 40 structures, including Farmers and Merchants Bank building, for possible consideration in Local Landmark status, which is the local equivalent of the National Register. These sites will soon be published and individual owners notified of the potential for this honor.

It is the obligation of the Historic Preservation Commission to make the community aware of its past and to preserve, whenever possible, sites and structures of significance to the past. It is hoped this information will be useful to the community in understanding the role of the commission in preserving the historic past of Cape Girardeau.

John Schneider

Cape Girardeau