Krewson brickyard. North Drain. @ 1884

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INTRODUCTION

Cultural resources1, including historic resources, cultural areas, provide a link to the past

which allows us and future generations a way of relating to past traditions and cultures. For this

reason cultural resource protection is included in comprehensive plans. Conservation of these

resources, many of which are fragile and non-renewable, is needed to fulfill recreation and research

needs; to give a sense of place and continuity to our communities and regions; to improve the

housing and commercial structure stock; to provide educational opportunities; and to diversify the

County's economy through increased tourism.

The objective of this element is to move a step closer to fulfilling these needs by developing

a compre�ensive program to conserve the County's cultural resources.

Applicable Statewide Planning Goals, Findings, goals and policies in the following provide

a basis for decision making. An historic overview of Douglas County (Chapter II) is a fitting place

to begin examining Douglas County's cultural resources. The overview presents a cross section of

events in Douglas County beginning in pre-history and ending at present. Chapter III discusses

criteria, inventory methods and information sources for cultural resource identification whereas

practical methods of conserving significant resources are examined in Chapter IV.

Applicable Statewide Planning Goals

Statewide Planning GoalS requires the protection of cultural resources stating:

Goal: "To conserve open space and protect natural and scenic resources.

Programs shall be provided that will: (1) insure open space, (2) protect scenic and historic areas and natural resources for future generations, and (3) promote healthy and visually attractive environments in harmony with the natural landscape character. The location, quality and quantity of [cultural] resources shall be inventoried."

Cultural resources include historic sites, structures and objects and cultural areas. Cultural

area refers to an area characterized by evidence of an ethnic, religious or social group with distinctive

traits, beliefs and social forms. Historic areas are lands with sites, structures and objects that have

local, regional, statewide or national historic significance.

lSee definition of cultural resource in glossary.

The Goal further requires:

"Where no conflicting uses for such resources have been identified, such resources shall be managed so as to preserve their original character. Where conflicting uses have been identified the economic, social, environmental and energy consequences of the conflicting uses shall be detennined and programs developed to achieve the goaL"

Statewide Planning Goal 8 is the only other goal that directly refers to cultural resources.

It requires planning of recreation areas, facilities and opportunities (including "historic resources"),

to satisfy the present and future recreation needs of the citizens of the state and visitors.

Although not directly mentioned, three other Goals apply to conservation of cultural

resources. The need for public and private sector cooperation and support to sustain a conservation

effort makes Goal 1, Citizen Participation, applicable to such a program. Conservation of historic

resources, e.g., the preservation, rehabilitation, or restoration of historic buildings, can contribute

to economic development or housing opportunities through the creation of labor intensive jobs and

additional space for commerce and dwellings--often requiring less energy than construction of new

buildings. Statewide Planning Goal 9, "Economy of the State, Goal 10, Housing, and Goal 13,

Energy Conservation, relate to each of these contributions and are therefore applicable to cultural

resource conservation.

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CULTURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES FINDINGS

1. Douglas County is using a systematic procedure to identify and protect cultural resources.

2. The National Register of Historic Places contains the following cultural resources which are

located in Unincorporated Douglas County:

The Charles Applegate House, Susan Creek Indian Mounds Site, Umpqua River

Lighthouse, Henry G. Brown House, Harry Winston House, Winchester Dam,

Nathaniel Curry House and Barn, Moses Parrott House, George M. Marsh (James

Winter) Barn, Henry Clay Smith House, Roberts Mountain House, C.E. Moyer

Nursery, Bernard Pitzer Smith House, Peter Weaver House and Barn, Glide Ranger

Station Office, Milo Academy Bridge, Stephens Community Historic District, and

the Gardiner Historic District.

3. Resources listed in the Statewide InventorY of Historic Sites and Buildings, were evaluated

by the Historic Resource Review Committee.

4. Statewide Planning GoalS does not include criteria for historic significance, but rather leaves

that determination to local decision makers.

S. Both the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service have active historic and

archaeological site identification programs.

6. Over 100 archaeological sites on private lands in Douglas County are registered with the

Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. These resources are identified at the Section or

1 square mile level, and thus are considered by Douglas County as needing further research

under the provisions of OAR 660-16-100(lB).

7. Over 100 archaeological sites on Federal lands located in Douglas County are registered with

the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and are adequately protected by the Federal

government.

8. A buffer area around a historic district or isolated resource is a method of protecting the

resource from new conflicting land uses.

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9. Scenic easements, tax incentives and low interest loans or grants are financial incentives for

conservation of historic resources.

10. APPLICATION OF OAR 660-16-000 TO THE EVALUATION PROCESS FOR

CULTURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES

The Douglas County Historic Resource Review Committee (HRRC) is charged, under

Chapter 9 of the Douglas County Land Use and Development Ordinance, with the

responsibility of determining which resources are significant, of special interest, or of general

interest historically to Douglas County. Prior to the assessment of historic significance, a

completed inventory delineating the location, quality and quantity of the potential resource

is conducted and included by reference in the Comprehensive Plan.

Once potential cultural and historic resources have been evalu'ated by the HRRC, Douglas

County will include them in the Historic Resource Register or the Cultural and Historic

Resource Inventory. Of those sites listed in the Historic Resource Register, only those

deemed significant by Douglas County shall obtain protection under §3.3S.400 and Chapter

9 of the Douglas County Land Use and Development Ordinance, and thus meet the GoalS

standard of protecting historic areas which have local, regional, statewide or national

historical significance. Other sites deemed of special or general historic interest, as listed in

the Douglas County Historic Resource Register, are not considered significant by Douglas

County and thus no further application of the GoalS process is necessary.

For archaeological sites listed by the State Historic Preservation Office located on private

lands, additional information on location and site quality will be necessary to complete the

inventory. When and if funding is available, Douglas County will consider the pursuit of an

archaeological inventory and associated implementation programs to achieve GoalS.

a. Conflicting Uses

Activities or uses which may conflict with the conservation or protection of signifi­

cant cultural and historic resources are addressed in §9.070 and §9.080 of the

Douglas County Land Use and Development Ordinance. Specific uses are as

follows:

(1) An exterior modification which would alter the historic significance of a

structure.

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(2) New construction on a public or private significant historic site or in a

Historic District which would alter the historic significance of the site or dis­

trict.

(3) Demolition of a significant historic resource.

b. Economic, Social, Environmental and Energy (ESEE) consequences of

conserving Cultural and Historic Resources. The following ESEE analysis

applies only to those uses specified in a.(I) and a.(2). Demolitions (a.(3» are not

included because a decision to raze a significant historic structure will be made on.

a site specific basis under the provisions of §9.080. The ESEE analysis is included

as part of the decision process of §9.080.

(1) Economic Consequences: The economic benefits of conserving cultural and

historic resources are numerous. The opportunity to view places and

structures associated with the past attracts tourists from both outside and

inside the County. Because one-third of the 1-5 corridor bisects Douglas

County, we have a great opportunity to capitalize economically from historic

preservation in a manner similar to the communities of Jacksonville,

Brownsville and, locally, Oakland, Oregon.

Because Douglas County citizens take pride in their past through annual

historic theme celebrations held in several communities from Scottsburg to

Canyonville, historic preservation certainly supports such ventures both

economically and socially. Also, historic preservation attracts outside capital

for the purposes of restoring structures for commercial ventures. The prime

example of such an activity in Southern Oregon is the Wolf Creek Tavern in

Josephine County. One similar venture is anticipated in Douglas County in

the near future.

Economically, historic preservation increases the number of available

structures to be used for residential and commercial purposes. Such

rehabilitation efforts also provide some employment opportunity for the local

building trade.

The economic consequences of not preserving historic resources can be

viewed from two perspectives. In a specific case, pre preemption of a new

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industrial or commercial venture in favor of the preservation of a historic

resource may prevent establishment of a particular economic venture.

However, Douglas County has and will continue to recognize in its

Comprehensive Plan ample land suitable for economic enterprise and,

therefore, the possibility of this scenario occurring is remote.

Also, one can take the view that restoration as a cost saving measure is not

as economically beneficial in the short term to a community as new

construction. However, the additional jobs associated with restoration and

the potential long-term tourism benefits accruing annually from historic

preservation far exceed the minor short-term concerns.

(2) Social Consequences: Socially, historic and cultural resource preservation

is a positive attribute to a community. Historic resources retain a sense of

"place" for a community as well as provide a wealth of educational

opportunities for gener:;ttions to come.

(3) Environmental Consequences: Environmental consequences would be

negligible overall and oriented to a specific site and issue.

(4) Energy Consequences: Energy consequences are minor but positive in that

restoration of historic buildings often includes the insulation of noninsulated

structures. Also, historic preservation attracts local tourists who might

otherwise travel a greater distance to recreate.

(5) Conclusion: Based on the preceding findings, it is apparent to Douglas

County that the overall long- and short-term benefits derived from preserving

the cultural and historic resources of the County will in most cases far exceed

the negative consequences associated with preserving such a resource.

c. Programs to Achieve the Goal

Douglas County provides through §3.35.400, §9.070 and §9.080 of the Douglas

County Land Use and Development Ordinance a program to conserve significant

cultural and historic resources.

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Section 3.35.400 is the Cultural, Historic and Archaeological Resource Overlay Zone

which shalI be employed for those resources deemed significant by the Historic

Resource Review Committee and upon completion of the Goal 5 process evaluation

and adoption by the Douglas County Commissioners. This overlay zone will require

review of building permits or other land use actions by the Historic Resource Review

Committee upon determination by the Planning Director that a developmental

activity pertains to or is within a resource site.

Section 9.070 will require review by the Director or Historic Resource Review

Committee of proposed alterations of, or exterior remodeling of a cultural or historic

resource. The Historic Resource Review Committee is authorized to approve an

application or permit if a finding can be made that the proposal is "harmonious and

compatible with the character of the resource or historic district." The Historic

Resource Review Committee shall find the alteration harmonious and compatible

with the resource or historic district with respect to style, scale, texture and

construction materials and/or find that the alteration will enhance the historical value

of the resource. It must "disapprove the request if the proposal will prove to be

unsightly,· grotesque or otherwise reduce the resource's historic value and/or

significance. "

Section 9.080 provides for a review by the Historic Resource Review Committee

proposed to raze or demolish a significant historic resource. The Committee will

review demolition applications and construct findings addressing the following:

- Structure's state of repair - The reasonableness of repair - Restoration costs - The uniqueness of the resource - The ESEE consequences of approving or denying the application

Based on the findings, the HRRC may approve, deny or attach conditions to an

approval for the purpose of conserving the historic value or a portion of the cultural

value of the resource.

11. Historic Bridges (Revised 11-30-88).

The Douglas County Historic Resource Review Committee (HRRC) evaluated six bridges

together with other potential resources that were listed in the Douglas County Cultural and

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Historic Inventory, 1983, the Statewide Inventory of Historic Sites and Buildings. Douglas

County, 1976, and in the Historical and Archaeological Resources of the Oregon Coast,

1974. The HRRC found that four bridges were historically significant and that the other

three bridges did not meet the County's test for historic significance. The Douglas County

Board of Commissioners heard the HRRC's recommendation for the six bridges and other

historic and cultural resources. The Commission adopted the Committee's findings and

applied the Historic Resources Overlay on February 2, 1984. The six bridges subject to the

overlay are:

Bridge Name

Calapooya Creek (Rochester) Bridge

South Myrtle Creek (Neal Lane) Bridge

South Umpqua River (Myrtle Creek) Bridge

North Umpqua River (Winchester) Bridge

Umpqua River (Reedsport) Bridge

Little River (Cavitt Creek) Bridge

The Oregon Department of Transportation identified ten additional bridges in Douglas County in

the Historic Highway Bridges of Oregon. 1986. The bridges are: South Umpqua River

(Worthington) Bridge, Calapooya Creek (Oakland) Bridge, Umpqua River (Scottsburg) Bridge, Elk

Creek (First Crossing) Bridge, Elk Creek (Second Crossing) Bridge, Elk Creek (Third Crossing)

Bridge, Elk Creek (Fourth Crossing) Bridge, South Umpqua River (Winston) Bridge, South Umpqua

River (Milo) Bridge and North Umpqua River (Mott) Bridge.

The location and quantity of these bridges are known. Information about these bridges are listed in

the Historic Highway Bridges of Oregon.

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CULTURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCE POLICIES

GOAL: To conserve and maintain the cultural and historic resources of

Douglas County.

OBJECTIVE A: To conserve historic resources and nonsensitive cultural areas in Douglas

County as a way of preserving our history and heritage for future generations.

POLICIES:

1. Evaluate all areas, districts, sites, structures and objects listed on the County's historic

resource inventory for their historic significance.

2. Douglas County shall compile and maintain an official Historic Resource Register listing all

nonsensitive cultural areas and all historic resources determined to possess significant

characteristics worthy of conservation.

3. All historic resources listed in the National Register of Historic Places shall be evaluated for

historic significance.

4. Encourage the preservation, restoration or rehabilitation, maintenance and monumenting of

all significant historic resources and nonsensitive cultural areas.

5. Develop and support programs that conserve historic resources and nonsensitive cultural

areas to increase awareness of the County's history and heritage.

6. Support and maintain an Historic Resource Management Program which promotes

conservation of significant historic sites and districts in Douglas County.

7. When necessary, establish a buffer area to separate new land uses that would create or lead

to conflicts with historic resources or nonsensitive cultural areas listed in Douglas County's

Historic Resource Register.

8. Encourage private land owners to participate in available incentive programs (e.g., conser­

vation easements and tax incentives) which provide incentive for conserving historic re­

sources or nonsensitive cultural areas.

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9. Encourage the commercial use of historic resources when found compatible with surrounding

land uses and consistent with conservation or restoration of the historic structure.

10. Provide and maintain markers of historic resources and nonsensitive cultural areas through­

out the County.

11. Use of County-owned land in the vicinity of historic structures or sites shall be compatible

with such structures or sites.

POLICY IMPLEMENTATION:

1. Actively maintain an inventory of potential historic resources.

2. Establish criteria for determining whether a potential historic resource:

a. Possesses significant historic characteristics worthy of conservation;

b. Possesses qualities of special historic interest, meriting only a monument;

c. Possesses historic characteristics of general public interest; or

d. No longer possesses significant historic characteristics due to such actions as altera­

tion or demolition and therefore should be removed from the County's inventory.

3. Maintain an Historic Resource Register which lists:

a. Significant historic resources;

b. Resources of special interest; and

c. Resources of general public interest.

4. When and where appropriate and when funds are available, provide and maintain monuments

which identify resources that have been determined to either have historic significance or are

of special historic interest.

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5. Assist the Historic Resource Review Committee in facilitating the conservation of historic

resources by:

a. Developing criteria for evaluating historic resources;

b. Evaluating the historic significance of potential historic resources and recommending

approval for inclusion in the Historic Resource Register; or the Cultural and Historic

Resources Inventory;

c. Coordinating historic resource identification· and conservation efforts with other

public agencies;

d. Advising appropriate bodies concerning applications for pennits to demolish or alter

significant historic resources listed in the Historic Resource Register;

e. Developing and supporting programs that conserve historic resources and increase

awareness of the County's historic heritage; and

f. Recommending removal of a resource from the register or inventory if its historic

value has decreased significantly due to addition of a similar resource or authorized

demolition.

OBJECTIVE B: To support protection of archaeological resources in Douglas County.

POLICIES:

1. Douglas County defers protection for archaeological resources to the Federal Government

(strict Federal regulations are already in effect on Federal lands). Inventory data should be

obtained through the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and other reliable sources.

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