Plans

The Heritage Preservation Plan is the City of Racine’s guiding policy document and outlines the components of the City’s preservation program.

Design Guidelines

In 2021, the City of Racine was awarded a grant from the Wisconsin state Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to develop updated residential design guidelines for the treatment of historical structures. The guidelines list recommended and not recommended approaches to various elements of homes.

  • Click here to view the guidelines for residential properties (2022). This is applicable to local historic landmarks/districts.

Reconnaissance Surveys

Reconnaissance Surveys review an area for potential historical significance. Generally speaking, the significance is based on: events (Criteria A), significant persons (Criteria B), significant architecture/design (Criteria C), or importance to our prehistory (Criteria D); these are the criteria the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) uses when determining if something is historic. The City has undertaken several reconnaissance surveys which can be viewed below.

  • Click here to view the Carlisle Avenue Reconnaissance Survey (2022)
  • Click here to view the Manree Park Reconnaissance Survey (2014)
  • Click here to view the Northside Reconnaissance Survey (2008) for Goold to North Street from Erie Street to Lake Michigan
  • Click here to view the Knapp School Area Reconnaissance Survey (2003)
  • Click here to view the Neighborhood Historic Property Reconnaissance Survey (2001) for Washington Avenue corridor, West 6th Street area and West Racine Business District
  • Click here to view the State Street Architectural and Historical Survey (1984)
  • Click here to view the 1979 Reconnaissance Survey

National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) Listings

The NRHP is maintained and operated by the National Park Service (NPS). The City of Racine has many properties which are listed on the NRHP in one of two ways. A collection of properties sharing some commonality collectively as a group, is a called a district; an individual property can be eligible by itself as a landmark. The links below indicate the district or landmark and are hosted by the NPS and not this website. You may also download an excel sheet of this data from the NPS here (scroll down to the middle of that page). The year (in parenthesis) below indicates the year it was added to the NRHP.

It is important to note that the NRHP does not give the City additional regulatory authority. Changes to properties follow standard zoning and building codes as adopted by the City of Racine. The NRHP is honorary in nature and adherence to the The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties is optional and encouraged, but not mandatory.

NRHP Historic Districts

  • Click here for Horlick Malted Milk Company Industrial Complex (2020) Note, this is a news release only announcing acceptance.
  • Click here for Orchard Street Historic District (2016)
  • Click here for Melvin Avenue Residential Historic District (2011)
  • Click here for Racine Rubber Company Homes Historic District (2006)
  • Click here for Northside Historic District of Cream Brick Workers’ Cottages (1994)
  • Click here for Historic Sixth Street Business District (1988)
  • Click here for Old Main Street Historic District (1987)
  • Click here for Southside Historic District (1977)

NRHP Landmarks

 

Local Historic Districts and Landmarks

Local historic districts and landmarks undergoing exterior changes are required to have those changes reviewed and approved by the City of Racine Planning, Heritage, and Design Commission; in instances or minor repairs or routine maintenance, City Development Department staff are able to approve projects which are consistent with the Design Guidelines (linked at the top of this page). Currently, the City of Racine has the following properties designated as locally historic.

Local Landmarks

  • 845 Villa Street (ZOrd 5-11)
  • 1611 College Avenue (ZOrd 09-08)
  • 1135 Main Street (ZOrd 08-08)
  • 1001 Main street (ZOrd 07-08)
  • 716 College (ZOrd 06-08)
  • 936 Main Street (ZOrd 01-07)