In 2018, the City of Wenatchee was awarded a Certified Local Government (CLG) Grant from the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP) to study the homes and history of the 900 block of Highland Drive. The purpose of the study was to determine whether or not the neighborhood was eligible to be nominated as a historic district within the City.  To assist in this effort, the City hired historic preservation specialists, Northwest Vernacular, to complete a thorough survey and inventory of the 900 block of Highland Drive, originally subdivided under the name of Brown's First Addition.

The inventory was completed in June 2019 and individual property photos and descriptions are available through DAHP's online WISAARD program. To find a particular address, click on Search at the top of the page, then select Property from the Category list, and enter address information in the pop-up window. The City also maintains individual property files (same information available through WISAARD), available on request. 

The City and Northwest Vernacular held two public neighborhood meetings, in May and August 2019, to discuss the inventory and historic district nomination process. As a result of those meetings and a vote of the neighborhood, the City has been coordinating with Washington State’s Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation on a nomination of Brown’s First Addition to the National Register of Historic Places. 

On October 23, 2020, the Washington State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation recommended approval of the district listing to the National Register. The final step in the review process is certification by the National Park Service. This webpage will be updated as information becomes available.  

Resources:  

Presentation by Spencer Howard, Northwest Vernacular from the neighborhood meeting on August 13, 2019

Draft National Register of Historic Places Registration Form

The Results of Listing in the National Register (DAHP publication)

Questions?

Please contact Kirsten Larsen, Senior Planner, at (509) 888-3249 or klarsen@wenatcheewa.gov 

or Stephen Neuenschwander, Planning Manager, at (509) 888-3285 or sneuenschwander@wenatcheewa.gov