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Historic Preservation Resources

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Plans

The Heritage Preservation Plan is the City of Racine’s guiding policy document and outlines the components of the City’s preservation program.

The Heritage Preservation Plan can be reviewed by following the link below:

Racine Heritage Preservation Plan 2019 Final
30.9 MB
Design Guidelines

In 2021, the City of Racine was awarded a grant from the Wisconsin state Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) to develop updated residential design guidelines for the treatment of historical structures. The guidelines list recommended and not recommended approaches to various elements of homes.

View the guidelines for residential properties (2022). This is applicable to local historic landmarks/districts:

Guidelines for Residential Properties (2022).
16.2 MB
Reconnaissance Surveys

Reconnaissance Surveys review an area for potential historical significance. Generally speaking, the significance is based on: events (Criteria A), significant persons (Criteria B), significant architecture/design (Criteria C), or importance to our prehistory (Criteria D); these are the criteria the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) uses when determining if something is historic. The City has undertaken several reconnaissance surveys which can be viewed below.

Description Action
Carlisle Avenue Reconnaissance Survey (2022)
Download PDF
Manree Park Reconnaissance Survey (2014)
Download PDF
Northside Reconnaissance Survey (2008)
Download PDF
Knapp School Area Reconnaissance Survey (2003)
Download PDF
Neighborhood Historic Property Reconnaissance Survey (2001)
Download PDF
State Street Architectural and Historical Survey (1984)
Download PDF
1979 Reconnaissance Survey
Download PDF
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National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) Listings

The NRHP is maintained and operated by the National Park Service (NPS). The City of Racine has many properties which are listed on the NRHP in one of two ways. A collection of properties sharing some commonality collectively as a group, is a called a district; an individual property can be eligible by itself as a landmark. The links below indicate the district or landmark and are hosted by the NPS and not this website. You may also download an excel sheet of this data from the NPS here (scroll down to the middle of that page). The year (in parenthesis) below indicates the year it was added to the NRHP.

It is important to note that the NRHP does not give the City additional regulatory authority. Changes to properties follow standard zoning and building codes as adopted by the City of Racine. The NRHP is honorary in nature and adherence to the The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties is optional and encouraged, but not mandatory.

NRHP Historic Districts
Horlick Malted Milk Company Industrial Complex (2020) Note
168.9 KB
Orchard Street Historic District (2016)
Click Here
Melvin Avenue Residential Historic District (2011)
Click Here
Racine Rubber Company Homes Historic District (2006)
Click Here
Northside Historic District of Cream Brick Workers’ Cottages (1994)
Click Here
Historic Sixth Street Business District (1988)
Click Here
Old Main Street Historic District (1987)
Click Here
Southside Historic District (1977)
Click Here
NRHP Landmarks
Gold Medal Camp Furniture Company (2019)
Click Here
Mitchell Lewis Building (2005)
Click Here
Thomas Driver and Sons Manufacturing Company (2004)
Click Here
Lincoln School (1994)
Click Here
Wilmanor Apartments (1994)
Click Here
Peter Johnson House (1994)
Click Here
US Post Office-Racine Main (1985)
Click Here
Racine Elks Club, Lodge No. 252 (1984)
Click Here
United Laymen Bible Student Tabernacle (1983)
Click Here
Young Men’s Christian Association Building (1982)
Click Here
Uptown Theater (1982)
Click Here
Rickeman Grocery Building (1982)
Click Here
Karel Jonas House (1982)
Click Here
Racine Public Library (1981)
Click Here
Badger Building (1980)
Click Here
Kaiser’s (1980)
Click Here
Racine Depot (1980)
Click Here
Chauncey Hall Building (1980)
Click Here
Racine County Courthouse (1980)
Click Here
Memorial Hall (1980)
Click Here
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Chapel, Guildhall, and Rectory (1979)
Click Here
St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church (1979)
Click Here
No. 4 Engine House (1979)
Click Here
George Murray House (1979)
Click Here
Hansen House (1979)
Click Here
Shoop Building (1978)
Click Here
McClurg Building (1977)
Click Here
Racine College (1976)
Click Here
Chauncey Hall House (1976)
Click Here
Racine Harbor Lighthouse and Life Saving Station (1975)
Click Here
Johnson, S.C., and Son Administration Building and Research Tower (1974)
Click Here
Thomas P. Hardy House (1974)
Click Here
Eli R. Cooley House (1973)
Click Here
First Presbyterian Church (1973)
Click Here

Local Historic Districts and Landmarks

Local historic districts and landmarks undergoing exterior changes are required to have those changes reviewed and approved by the City of Racine Planning, Heritage, and Design Commission; in instances or minor repairs or routine maintenance, City Development Department staff are able to approve projects which are consistent with the Design Guidelines (linked at the top of this page). Currently, the City of Racine has the following properties designated as locally historic.

Local Landmarks
  • 845 Villa Street (Zord 5-11)
  • 1611 College Avenue (Zord 09-08)
  • 1135 Main Street (Zord 08-08)
  • 1001 Main street (Zord 07-08)
  • 716 College (Zord 06-08)
  • 936 Main Street (Zord 01-07)

Note, the list above includes landmarks which were redesignated after a change in requirements circa 2006. The City of Racine before that time, designated all of the landmarks in the listing below. Due to the change in listing requirements, these properties are not currently subject to local historic review.

Local Historic Districts and Landmarks
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