Springfield, OR Historic Preservation: Historic-Cultural Monuments (2026)

Springfield has no free-standing 'cultural monument' ordinance; the local mechanism is the Historic (H) Overlay District, established under Development Code § 3.3.905 to encourage restoration, preservation and adaptive use of identified Historic Landmark Structures and Sites, including the Washburne Historic Landmark District. Section 3.3.920 sets the designation test: the Historical Commission and Planning Commission weigh nine criteria, among them whether a site is associated with historic or famous events, is old (usually at least 50 years), represents a period or style of architecture, has recognized architectural merit, is the work of an influential architect or builder, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, relates to the broad cultural history of the city, state or nation, is identified with significant people or organizations, or is a unique aesthetic or educational feature of the city.

If at least 2 of those criteria apply and the property is not in an advanced state of deterioration, the Planning Commission, on the Historical Commission's recommendation, may add it to the Historic Landmark Inventory; inclusion automatically subjects the site to the H Overlay District under § 3.3.920(C). The Inventory already names individually designated landmarks under § 3.3.910(B), including the Stevens and Perkins Building at 330 Main Street, the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot at 101 South A Street, and the Brattain/Hadley House at 1260 Main Street.

Once listed, major alterations go through Type 2 review and demolitions through Type 3 review before the Historical Commission under §§ 3.3.915 and 3.3.950, and removal from the Inventory requires the Historical Commission to find the original designation criteria were misapplied or that demolition was approved, per § 3.3.925.