.We are going use 901 North Cushman, for an example, and guide you through the research steps to show what can easily be found. As you do research, you may get lost in the web. A word of advice: If you do get lost, just return to this web page and start where you left off.
STEP 1. As a quick start, see what Tacoma 's INVENTORY says:
Go to the main web page to a section called: NSHD IN THE TACOMA HISTORIC REGISTER and down the page click on - - and repeated here:
NSHD TACOMA CITY INVENTORY Updated as of 12/31/11.
Browse for your address, 901 N Cushman in this case, and collect the data:The results of the search.
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In this case the property is "Contributing", was built in 1922, and the early owner was N. G. Nelson.
What does it mean to be a "Contributing" property? A contributing property is any building, structure, or object which adds to the historical quality or architectural integrity of the historic district. The contributing properties are key to a historic district's historic architectural qualities.STEP 2. Let 's check zoning:
Go to the Tacoma 's web page called govMe.org govME.org for address search.
Click on Address search and enter the address. You will find:
Go to a section called: HMR-SRD: HISTORIC ZONING FOR THE NORTH SLOPE HISTORIC DISTRICT then
TMC 13.06.100.B.4 The HMR-SRD CODE: Note that the purpose is to "protect, preserve, and maintain the historic buildings".
STEP 3. How 901 N. Cushman became part of the NSHD:
North Cushman became part of the NDHD in the 2nd expansion.
Check under Section: NSHD IN THE TACOMA HISTORIC REGISTER
Click on: Second Expansion 1999. You will find:
This property entered the NSHD as a "Secondary Structure". The City of Tacoma changed all the names of all the categories to match those of the National Register of Historic Places, and in Dec. 31, 2011 this house, and all houses in the NSHD were reclassified. 901 North Cushman became "Historic Contributing".
Step 4. What is on the National Register?
The data for the National Register of Historic Places can be found by looking here:
Check under Section: NATIONAL REGISTER: How it all started. Below is the link, repeated here.
The complete nomination for the National Register, all 600 pages. Or use this shorter version for checking addresses such as 901 N Cushman.
Step 5. What about pictures?
Go to the section called: PHOTOGRAPHS USED IN THE DOCUMENTATION THAT FORMED THE NSHD
Click on NSHD PHOTOS Check on your address. You may get lucky!
This is one of the photographs submitted with the application be in the National Register of Historic Places. Sept. 2002
Step 6. For additional Information:
There is a lot of information in the Tacoma Public Library and on their web pages. Enter the 901 North Cushman address, you will find couple of pictures and that Floyd Myers had Rabbits and a jacket stolen. Interesting things in the library!
With a little digging and attention to detail, it's likely you will be able to uncover more of your home's story, who built it, who lived in it, information about things that happened there, photos, blueprints and more. Brian Kamens, library associate assigned to the Tacoma Public Library's Northwest Room, is willing to help homeowners in their quest for information about their home. He'll share research tips and point you toward some terrific resources.
Kamens created the Pierce County Buildings Index, which offers all the available information on each home and building in Tacoma: the architects and contractors, blueprints, photos from the library's photography collection (which he also helped put online), articles from Tacoma newspapers and local history books, and more. He constructed a web page showing people how to research their homes and has become a popular speaker on Tacoma history.