2 Herald - Lantern Dispatch 26 March '86

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Historic Designation Sought for Court House

By GREGG LAWSON COURT HOUSE - The Cape May Court House Neighborhood Association wants a section of this community listed on the state and national registries of Historic Places. The proposed historic district would encompass more than 100 homes on Mechanic Street, Route 9, Goshen road, Magnolia Drive, Boyd Street, Romney Place and Church Street. "We want to give some recognition to Cape May Court House and get some interest in renovation (of older buildings)," said association member Jodi Tinney. "Also, the county has plans for expansion and we're concerned about properties along Romney Place and Boyd Street and their future. "If it is designated a historic district, governing bodies can't condemn

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private property "for public use," she added. Tinney said the state approached her group five or six years ago about establishing a historic district, but the idea was opposed. "WE MET SOME resistance at that time because people misunderstood what the historic district would entail," she said. "They were afraid they would be burdened by restrictive codes and ordinances. "This is basically just recognition and protection against governing bodies destroying properties," she continued. "We're hoping that people living within the district would be enthused about being in it and would be encouraged to renovate their houses." Tinney said one misconception was that the designation would raise people's taxes. "It will have no affect on taxes or assessed values, and it might encourage rehabilitation of older houses for commercial use," Tinney said. "There are investment tax advan- . tages for rehabilitation, as opposed to demolition, for business people." The owner of a property could (still) do whatever he wants with the property he owns," she added, "They could tear it down if they like." ASSOCIATION MEMBERS describe the district as a "pocket" between the development to the north ( Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital. Jamesway, etc.) and the cluster of small shops and gas stations at the south end of Route 9 in Court House. "The district wouldn't deter development, but would encourage people to work with what's here," said association member Sue Karaso. "The ambiance of a small town is on the wane; It's really important to me that the heritage we value so dearly will be intact for future generations to enjoy." 4 Karaso and Tinney said they hoped the designation would encourage business people to renovate some older structures in town, like the John Wiley House on Route 9, and use them for office buildings. The association currently is in the process of compiling information for its application to the state Office of New Jersey Heritage. Terry Karschner, principal historic preservation specialist with the office, helped draw up the district's boundaries. "TERRY SAID this is the only county seat in the state where time has virtually stood still," Karaso said. "That's why he's very interested in helping us." "I certainly think Cape May Court House is eligible for the National Registry as a historic district," Karschner said. "But it's going to depend on a number of factors such as the completeness of the application and how property owners respond." Karschner said the state will review the application and determine if the ^ criteria are met. Then a

public hearing is scheduled to discuss the proposal with property owners. If accepted, it will go to a professional advisory body for consideration. When signed by the state Historic Preservation Officer, the district goes on the state registry and the application is forwarded to the National Park Service for National Registry approval. THE STATE review process takes "at least six mppthaL! and the national review about two months, Karschner said. Association members hope to have the application ready by the end of this summer. The association also has received help from the county Planning Board, which recently aided Marshatlville and Dennisviile on historical designation applications. The department did a historical overview study in 1980 using a $6,000 matching grant from Karschner's office and has made that information available to researchers. Planning Director Eiwood Jarmer, who lives in Court House, said his office is providing technical assistance. "I provide, out of my office, the wherewithal for the cost of photographs and production," Jarmer said. "You could run into a couple of hundred dollars just getting all the photographs together." Jarmer said the application must contain streetscapes, a bibliography of research, maps, photographs, historical information on the entire districts and each individual structure. Once complete, Jarmer said, Court House is a shoein. "THERE HAS NEVER been a question as to whether Cape May Court House would qualify as a historic district," he said. "The only thing that needed to be done is define the boundaries and meet all the qualifications; dot the i's and cross the t's. Among the structures .. that would be covered by the historic district are: •The Nathaniel Holmes House, a federal style building circa 1820, at Route 9 and Romney Place •The Alfred Cooper Cottage on Romney Place. Designed by the famous'architect S.D Button and built in 1899, this Victorian style house was the home of the founder of the Cape May County Gazette. •The recently-renovated old courthouse on Route 9. Built in 1843 by Daniel Hand, it is a Greek Revival style structure. • The First United Methodist Church on Route 9, circa 1828. Its spindled bell tower is one of the few still in operation in the country. • The Samual Buck House, circa 1800. Currently owned by Louis Ermler, it is believed to be one of the oldest houses in Court House.