For many years, folks have referred to downtown Oxford as a historic place.

Well, now it’s official.

On Aug. 8, Glenn Pape, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), announced that downtown Oxford is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“After three years, it feels good,” Pape said. “It gives us the opportunity to brag a little bit about what we’ve (preserved) here in downtown Oxford.”

In 2016, Oxford was selected by the State Historic Preservation Office to receive financial assistance to help get on the National Register. The state hired and paid a consultant to research and write the nomination.

The National Register is a federal list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects that have significance in terms of American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture. It was created in 1966 and is administered by the National Park Service, part of the U.S. Department of the Interior. More than 93,000 properties representing 1.8 million buildings, sites, districts, structures and objects are listed in the National Register.

Downtown Oxford’s historic district consists of approximately two blocks of commercial buildings that front North and South Washington St. (M-24), plus two commercial buildings along E. Burdick St.

The district’s boundaries were “drawn to encompass the historic commercial core area and exclude the adjacent modern commercial development and parking lots,” according to the 123-age nomination form.

According to a July 31 letter Pape received from Brian D. Conway, state historic preservation officer, downtown Oxford’s historic district was added to the list on July 15.

The State Historic Preservation Review Board in Lansing nominated Oxford for the National Register on Jan. 18.

Being part of the National Register is “a point of pride” for the community and lets everyone know that downtown Oxford is “one of the unique places in Michigan,” Pape said.

Being on the list shows people that Oxford officials, property owners and residents have “a sense of history” and believe “this place matters,” he added.

Pape said the DDA will purchase some plaques for M-24 and Burdick St. to mark the boundaries of the historic district and identify the area for visitors.

“We’re probably going to get at least two, maybe four (plaques),” he said.

In his letter, Conway indicated this designation allows downtown Oxford to be considered “in the planning for federal or federally-assisted projects; provides eligibility for federal tax benefits; qualifies properties for federal assistance for historic preservation, when funds are available; serves as a catalyst for economic development; and promotes heritage tourism.”

“There actually is quite a bit of tourism around nationally-registered historic places. That’s one good thing,” Pape said.

Pape noted people typically want to visit historic downtowns because they’re “very walkable.” In downtown Oxford, for example, he said people can eat dinner, see a movie and enjoy a drink without having to keep getting in and out of their vehicles.

Eligibility for historic preservation tax credits is one of the main reasons Oxford pursued a spot on the National Register.

Officials hope the availability of these tax credits will provide an incentive for current and future building owners to rehabilitate and revitalize their properties, thereby increasing economic development in the community.

Having a National Register designation could also help Oxford obtain grant money. Conway wrote that some organizations “require or look favorably upon” this status.

Conway noted that being on the National Register “does not place any legal restrictions on a property” within the historic district.

According to the National Park Service, unless a property receives some form of federal assistance, such as money or licensing/permitting, owners are free to do everything from renovations to demolition.

An inventory contained in Oxford’s National Register nomination form lists 41 buildings within the historic district. Of these, 34 are classified as “contributing” resources, which means they were around during the district’s historic period of significance and they still possess a majority of the architectural features that exemplify that era.

Downtown Oxford’s historic period of significance began in 1876 and ended in 1968.

All of the buildings, structures and objects in Oxford’s district date from circa 1880 to the present. Eighty-percent of the buildings were constructed between 1876 and 1968. Fifty-two percent of the contributing buildings were constructed from circa 1880 to 1899.

Ranging from one to three stories, the buildings represent a variety of architectural styles, including Italianate, Queen Anne, Neo Classical Revival, Art Deco, Colonial Revival and the Mid-Century Modern movements, according to the nomination form.