The Mason City Historic Preservation Commission is requesting funds for the first phase of what is anticipated to be a two-phase project to identify additional resources in and adjacent to the Downtown Mason City Historic District. As a result of the project, we will identify an expanded period of significance. The second phase, the amendment to the original nomination is not a part of this project. We understand that the National Register criteria in place, often interpreted to limiting recognition of resources that are at least 50 years old, when the district was first nominated (and that continues to today) draws a hardand-fast chronological line across the history of downtown Mason City. However, history is continuous and new buildings continued to be built within the district and adjacent to its current boundaries throughout the 1950s and 60s. Downtown Mason City is predominantly a pre-WW2 commercial area, these structures contribute to the historic essence of the district and surrounding areas. For example, several buildings in or adjacent to the district, including City Hall and the former Globe-Gazette building (see attached photos) were both designed by Waggoner and Waggoner Architects. Karl and Tom Waggoner, a father and son firm, have left behind a prolific body of work in the region. The firm reached its peak in the 1960s and 70s when they fully embraced the midcentury modern aesthetic. These buildings in the downtown were largely constructed on the edges of the downtown core and they reflect the continued adaption of the downtown for the benefit of the community. To complete the project, the Commission proposes to engage the services of a well-qualified historic preservation consultant who meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards. The consultant’s role will be to complete an intensive level survey of the district and adjacent areas to establish a new period of significance for the district, if warranted; identify additional historic resources within and adjacent to the existing district; and potential new boundaries for the district. The primary responsibility of the consultant will be to research the historic context of the Mason City Downtown Historic District to justify the extension of the period of significance for the district from 1955 to 1975. They will also identify “newly historic” resources within the updated proposed boundaries of the district; complete documentation of the resources and prepare a final survey that can be the basis of an amendment to the original 2005 nomination. The amendment to the district and the nomination of any structures or sites identified as being potentially individually eligible for the National Register is not included in this project.
