Dimmeydale Getting Push for Spot on National Register of Historic Places
Derek Redd Trending
WHEELING - Dimmeydale may be the next Wheeling neighborhood included on the National Register of Historic Places.
Wheeling Heritage announced in late 2020 its plans to push Dimmeydale for the designation, and a survey of structures in the neighborhood has since been conducted by Heritage Architectural Associates of Wheeling.
The survey determined Dimmeydale merits nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, explained Betsy Sweeny, director of heritage programming for Wheeling Heritage.
Now Wheeling Heritage has entered into a contract with Heritage Architectural Associates to create and submit the nomination.
The report first will go on to the West Virginia Historic Preservation Office, the state's gatekeeper for all federal preservation programs, she said. If state officials deem it worthy it goes on to the National Park Service.
"Wheeling Heritage has been doing historic district expansion for many years," Sweeny continued. "When a property is listed as a contributing structure in an historical district, it opens it up to incentives."
These benefits included tax credits at state and federal level, as well as grant opportunities, she added.
"It's also important for pride of place, and recognizing the identity of the neighborhood," Sweeny said.
The survey found that the Dimmeydale neighborhood - which sprung up in the early 20th century - has a distinctive flavor and identity, as well its own characteristics.
For example, many of the properties contain garage structures built specifically for vehicles. That is a feature not found in Wheeling's older neighborhoods.
Wheeling Heritiage has plans to eventually have all Wheeling communities designated on the National Register of Historic Places.
Other areas already approved as national historic districts include the Centre Market Square Historic District, the Chapline Street Row Historic District, the Downtown Wheeling Historic District, the East Wheeling Historic District, the Highland Park Historic District, the Monroe Street East Historic District, the National Road Corridor Historic District, the North Wheeling Historic District, the South Wheeling Historic District, the Wheeling Island Historic District, the Wheeling Warehouse District, and the Woodsdale-Edgewood Historic District.
Sweeny explained it is important property owners understand the designation comes with no property restrictions, and they won't have to worry about the color they paint their doors.
The process of having a neighborhood declared an historic district can take anywhere from one to five years, according to Sweeny. It is her hope Dimmeydale will join the National Register of Historic Places by this time next year.
"Being part of a historic district has no downside," she said. "It opens the door for preservation incentives and sheds a positive light on the community."
Heritage Architectural Associates is being paid $20,000 for the survey and nomination work, according to Sweeny. The State Historic Preservation Office is picking up 70 percent of the cost, with Wheeling Heritage and the Wheeling Historic Landmarks Commission assuming the remainder of the cost.