Historic Preservation Commission
Coeur d'Alene's Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) was established in 2019. The commission is tasked with promoting the educational, cultural, economic, and general welfare of the public of the City of Coeur d'Alene through the identification, evaluation, and designation of those buildings, sites, districts, areas, structures, and objects that constitute or contain significant elements of historic, architectural, archaeological, and cultural interest reflecting the heritage of the City, the State, and/or the Nation.
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May is Preservation Month. The commission is partnering with the Museum of North Idaho, State Historic Preservation Office, and the Coeur d'Alene Press to do historic preservation outreach and education throughout the month of May.
We invite you to join us on May 22 at the Museum of North Idaho for the Historic Preservation Reception where the Heart of History Awards will be presented and on July 3 on the Kootenai County Courthouse lawn for the America250 in Idaho celebration hosted by the Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County Historic Preservation Commission. For details, see the Preservation Month event poster.
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NOTE: Buildings originally constructed prior to 1960 are now subject to demolition review by the City's Historic Preservation Commission before any demolition permit can be issued. (Exemptions: dangerous buildings as determined by the Building Official or designee, and internal remodels do not trigger this review) Click here to learn more.
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Current Efforts:
- Demolition Review process for structures older than 1960 (excluding dangerous buildings and interior remodels) - adopted and underway
- Downtown Core Working Group (participation by three commissioners) - helping evaluate the current development standards and design guidelines, and add historic preservation practices into new standards
- Reconnaissance Level Survey of Structures in Downtown Coeur d'Alene - A consultant has been selected and this project is underway.
- Exploring possible Historic Overlay Areas
- Historic Building Materials Information and Trainings
- Garden District National Register of Historic Places Nomination - the Garden District was officially listed in the NRHP in April 2025
- Heart of History Awards Program and May as Historic Preservation Month. Three awards have been given out to date:
- 2023: Hamilton House
- 2024: The Depot
- 2025: Clark's Diamond Jewelers; notable mention of the Hagadone Corporation's efforts in partnership with John Swallow to salvage the vault doors from the Johnston Building - Inadvertent Discovery Plan - to address cultural and historic resources discovered during construction activities
Click Here to review the Historic Preservation Plan adopted December 2021
Coeur d'Alene Tribe Land Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that we are on the traditional land of the first people, the Coeur d’Alene, who have occupied the lands that include the City of Coeur d’Alene, Coeur d’Alene Lake and the Spokane River for time immemorial. The Schitsu’umsh are “Those who are found here” or “The discovered people” and they have been telling their story in song and dance for thousands of years in celebration and in hardship. We are fortunate that the Coeur d’Alenes have blessed the land and formed strong relationships to continue as stewards to protect and preserve the land, lake, and other resources. We acknowledge the Tribe’s 5 Core Values for decisions related to the land and the future of the Coeur d’Alene people. We are honored to learn, grow, play and live upon the traditional territory of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and to have the opportunity to work together to improve our land and strengthen our communities for future generations. Time Immemorial. Present. Future.
Historic Preservation Commission Members:
Anneliese Miller- Vice Chair
Doug Harro
Dan McCracken
Stephen Shepperd
City Council Liaison: Councilmember Kiki Miller
Meeting Date:
The Historic Preservation Commission will meet at least four times a year; however, the full commission and subcommittees may meet more frequently. Starting July 2023, the regular commission meetings will generally take place on the 4th Wednesday of that month starting at 12:00 p.m.
Resources:
Historic Resources Guide - Salvage, Materials, Milling, Lighting & Hardware
Downtown Coeur d'Alene Self-Guided Tour Map of Historic Buildings
National Register of Historic Places FAQs and Coeur d'Alene Permitting Requirements
National Register of Historic Places Plaque Information
Demolition Review Process for Structures Originally Constructed Prior to 1960
Garden District National Register of Historic Places Nomination
Articles on mental health related to the loss of historic places
(supporting documents for the temporary moratorium - June 2024)
"Coeur d'Alene council moves to protect history" Moratorium article in the CDA Press (6/20/24)
Historic Preservation Code (Amended 2023)
Historic Preservation Commission Bylaws (Amended 2023)
Historic Preservation Plan (adopted December 2021)
How do I get a historic property listed?
Certified Local Government Overview
"Garden District May Make History" (CDA Press, June 15, 2023)
Cultural Resources Brochure from the Coeur d'Alene Tribe
Staff Liaison: Hilary Patterson, Community Planning Director, (208) 769-2270
The Historic Preservation Commission may be reached by mail at:
[email protected]
(mailto:[email protected])
710 E. Mullan Ave
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
Phone: 208.769.2300
8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday - Friday
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