Juniata Terrace named historic district

JUNIATA TERRACE -- The Juniata Terrace has been recognized as a historic district and will be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The decision was approved unanimously Tuesday during a virtual meeting hosted by the Pennsylvania Historical Preservation Review Board in Harrisburg.

"This is a significant achievement for Juniata Terrace residents and residents of Mifflin County,"

said Mayor John Wagner. "Thank you to everyone who contributed to our efforts."

Juniata Terrace was approved as a historic district at the state level and will be recognized by the state of Pennsylvania. Now, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will send the state nomination to the National Park Service for federal historical recognition.

This process may take up to 45 days, and the national officials will post their determination on the National Park Service website or send the nomination back if they determine that the SHPO did not send proper documentation.

If the SHPO encounters this issue, then, it will send proper documentation to restart the process of federal recognition.

The meeting was attended by local and state officials.

"In honor of all the men and women who started the life of the village of Juniata Terrace, this will be in remembrance of them and to honor those people who were here in the beginning. May they not be forgotten," said Douglas Kepner, Juniata Terrace borough president.

To be considered a historic district, a property must meet the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. This consideration involves an examination of the property's significance, age and integrity.

A property must be at least 50 years old and meet at least one of the four criteria eligibility rules. The property must have association with either a significant event(s) or significant people as well as architecture. Those seeking a spot on the list of historic places must have the ability to provide information about the history or prehistory of a property.

The Juniata Terrace was nominated for a National Registry listing due to it serving as a planned company town for the American Viscose Company.

Many Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office Board members commented on how well the information was put together.

"The staff from the Pennsylvania Historical National Registry support this nomination," said Emily Price, board member. "We also received a letter of support for this nomination from the Mifflin County Historical Society as well as State Representative Kerry Beninghoff."

For more information on the National Register of Historic Places, visit www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister/index.htm.