National recognition for Nacogdoches Main Street

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) and the National Trust for Historic Preservation recently recognized Nacogdoches as one of the 52 National Main Street Cities in Texas.

"A lot of hard work goes into achieving this recognition. Main Street communities exemplify the Texas mystique and this recognition honors the many people, including Main Street managers and volunteers, who put in countless hours to make their Main Street programs work. The result is an active and successful downtown revitalization effort that benefits not only the Main Street district, but also the entire community,” said Debra Farst, state coordinator of the Texas Main Street Program.

The cities were honored at the recent Texas Downtown Association/Texas Main Street Conference in Temple. The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street Center will honor these cities at the 2009 National Main Streets Conference to be held in Chicago in March.

Cities chosen as National Main Street Cities must show above average performance in 10 categories. The selection criteria focus on planning, staff and volunteers, preservation ethic, training and program assessment. For additional information, visit the National Main Street web site at www.mainstreet.org and the National Trust for Historic Preservation web site at www.nationaltrust.org.

Click for more information on the Texas Historical Commission’s Main Street program.

The THC’s Texas Main Street Program is a revitalization program for historic downtown and neighborhood commercial districts. It is based on a four-point approach — organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring, all within the context of historic preservation. Implemented in 1981, the program has assisted more than 140 communities throughout the state. For more information, contact Debra Farst at 512/463-5758.

For more information or questions about Nacogdoches Main Street Program’s revitalization efforts please contact the Nacogdoches Main Street Office at 936-559-2573 or via email at obriens@ci.nacogdoches.tx.us.Downtown Nacogdoches during the Texas Blueberry Festival. Photo taken by Bruce R. Partain.