Uptown Recognized as Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places

Westerville’s history is a point of pride for many residents. Between the Hanby House, Otterbein University and the former home of the Anti-Saloon League, few cities boast the historic landmarks Westerville does - and nowhere in Westerville embodies this rich history better than Uptown.

Now our community’s historic recognition has gone national.

On March 22, 2019, Uptown Westerville’s recognition as a Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places was unanimously approved as meeting the National Register criteria at the Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Meeting.

The National Register of Historic Places defines historic districts as having a significant concentration, linkage or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united historically or aesthetically by plan or physical development.

“One of the three pillars of Uptown Westerville Inc.’s mission is historic preservation, and Uptown being recognized as a Historic District is a momentous accomplishment worth celebrating,” said Lynn Aventino, executive director of Uptown Westerville Inc. “Our organization will continue to honor our past, but we will use this momentum to continue to build on Westerville’s legacy of being an amazing community to live, work and visit.”

Uptown Westerville Inc. spearheaded the nomination process, with collaboration from the City of Westerville, community residents and elected officials. Special thanks to members of Westerville City Council for their resolution of support, the Westerville Historical Society for their letter of support for the nomination and State Representative Mary Lightbody for her advocacy.

The next step is for the State Historic Preservation Officer to forward the nomination to the National Park Service (NPS). Once the nomination is received by the NPS, a 45-day review period begins.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of properties recognized by the federal government as worthy of preservation for their local, state or national significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. Although the National Register is a program of the National Park Service, it is administered at the state level by each respective state. For more information on the process and other historic districts and places, visit OhioHistory.org/NationalRegister.

Stay tuned to UptownWestervilleInc.com. for more updates.