A survey of downtown Malad will be conducted by Kirk Huffaker Preservation Strategies during the last two weeks of June. Funded by a grant from the Idaho State Historical Society, the survey will determine which, if any, buildings in downtown Malad may possess historic significance to be eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.  Kirk and his associates will not need to access any property to conduct their survey – the work will take place from the public right-of-way. 

The survey is the first of a series of steps toward nominating an area as a national historic district as well as nominating specific buildings to the National Register. As soon as the survey work concludes, the City will hold a meeting to present the results of the survey. This will likely occur in late summer or early fall.

Designation in the National Register of Historic Places would enable building owners to potentially access tax credits and grants for historic preservation projects. Designation in the NRHP does not require an owner to preserve or update the building in a certain way – it only provides an honorary recognition and creates access to the tax credits and grants as incentives for those who choose to update and maintain their properties with a goal toward maintaining the historic character of Malad. In addition, the building would be eligible for a NRHP plaque from the Oneida Pioneer Museum that would tell its history.

Downtown buildings currently on the National Register of Historic Places are the American Legion Building, the Malad Co-op, the Oneida County Courthouse, the Presbyterian Church, and the 2nd Ward Church building.

Articles about the survey will be published in The Idaho Enterprise and on the City website. If you have any questions, please contact Jean Thomas by calling the City Office and leaving a message.