Marker Tools & Tips from Milam County Historical Commission

County Historical Commission
Tools & Tips

"The Medallion"

The Texas Historical Commission

September/October 2009

Page 19

The following County Historical Commission (CHC) Tips & Tools contain recommendations by

Texas Historical Commission (THC) staff to assist preservationists in their efforts to

save the real places of Texas. For more information contact CHC Outreach staff at

amy.hammons@thc.state.tx.us or amber.nunez@thc.state.tx.us

CHC Outreach issued a survey earlier this year to document how CHCs prioritize, initiate

and participate in preservation activities. The survey asked, "When looking at the

annual work generated by your CHC, rank the following items in order of importance".

Results showed that CHCs felt the most important part of their work was the "protection

of historic resources".

Interestingly, the survey also showed that only 46 percent of counties understood the

levels of protection provided by the THC's various markers and designations. To help

educate CHCs and other preservationists, we're providing a brief overview of the

agency's markers and designations:

SUBJECT MARKERS are solely educational and reveal aspects of local history that are

important to a community or region. Marker topics include church congregations,

schools, communities, businesses, events and individuals. A subject marker is placed at

a site that has a historical association with the topic, but no restriction is placed on

the use of the property or site.

RECORDED TEXAS HISTORIC LANDMARKS (RTHL) designate building and structures at least

50 years old that are judged worthy of preservation for their architectural and

historical associations. The RTHL designation carries a measure of protection for the

property. Owners planning exterior changes to RTHLs must notify the THC 60 days in

advance of changes to allow time for consultation with the agency. Unsympathetic

changes to RTHLs may result in removal of the designation.

HISTORIC TEXAS CEMETERY (HTC) designations recognize cemeteries or burial sites that

are at least 50 years old and worthy of preservation for their historical associations.

The HTC designation encourages preservation of historic cemeteries but imposes no

restrictions on private owner's use of the land adjacent to the cemetery.

STATE ARCHEOLOGICAL LANDMARKS (SAL) receive legal protection under the Antiquities

Code of Texas. The designation of SALs on private land is recorded in the county deed

records and is conveyed with the property when sold. The SAL designation stipulates the

property cannot be removed, altered, damaged, salvaged or excavated without a permit

from the THC.