Iron Mountain historic district added to register

The Iron Mountain Central Historic District has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The district is made up of 150 buildings, much of which is under the domain of Iron Mountain’s Main Street program, the applicant to the register. Its boundaries are roughly from Fleshiem to C streets and from Iron Mountain to Stockbridge avenues.

The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office announced the success of the listing, which it was done as a result of a statewide contest. The prize was that the office would prepare the nomination to the National Register for the central business district of one Michigan Main Street program. Typically, pursuing listing on the National Register can be a difficult, costly and time-consuming undertaking, so the office’s services would speed that process for whichever community won the contest.

To win, Iron Mountain submitted the best argument for how it would use and benefit from the historic designation.

Main Street Manager Jonathan Ringel says the listing helps not only historic preservation in the district, such as through the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Credit that downtown building owners and investors now can use, but also will encourage future growth.

“We think this recognition and the rehabilitation that will follow will help make our community more vibrant,” he says.

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority