News Release 250

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COUNCIL
TO CONSIDER NEWTON COUNTY NOMINATIONS FOR
NATIONAL REGISTER MAY 16

Volume 36-250

Contact: Sue Holst

(For immediate release)

573-751-6510

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MAY 7, 2008 -- The Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will consider nominations to the National Register of Historic Places during its quarterly meeting May 16 in Branson. The meeting, which is open to the public, will begin at 9 a.m. in the Bee Creek Conference Room, Second Floor, Branson Convention Center, 200 East Main St. 

Twenty-eight nominations are scheduled to be considered for listing in the National Register. Properties on the agenda include historic residences, commercial buildings, historic districts, and a Santa Fe Trail site. More than 1,200 historic resources are represented in the nominations.

The following property in Newton County is being considered.

Built in 1890, the Lentz-Carter Merchandise Store was the first solely commercial building in Stella, Newton County. Typical of general stores of the era, it provided everyday items such as groceries, clothing, toys and tools. It catered to the local farmers as an outlet for their produce and provider of large-scale farming equipment.  Equally important, it served as a social hub to the residents of Stella. The upper floor of the building was used as a Masonic Lodge for more than 60 years, while the first telephone in Stella was installed on the first floor. The Lentz-Carter Merchandise Store is the oldest surviving building in Stella and is a vital part of the community's heritage.  

Other properties that are being considered follow:

In addition to nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, the council will receive status reports on programs provided by the State Historic Preservation Office and discuss business related to its own function and duties. Council will also discuss coordination and preparation of Missouri's five-year statewide preservation plan. 

The Missouri Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is a 12-member group of historians, architects, archaeologists and citizens with an interest in historic preservation. The council is appointed by the governor and works with the Department of Natural Resources' State Historic Preservation Office, which administers the National Register program for Missouri. The council meets quarterly to review Missouri property nominations to the National Register, the nation's honor roll of historic properties. Approved nominations are forwarded to the Keeper of the National Register in Washington, D.C., for final approval.

For more information about the May 16 meeting or the council, call the State Historic Preservation Office at 573-751-7858 or the department toll free at 800-334-6946.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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