While downtown Cedartown is already part of the National Register of Historic Places, another area of the city is being nominated for the honor as well.

The City of Cedartown, along with the Cedartown Historic Preservation Commission, is intent on recognizing this historical area, as it is being nominated for the National Register at the local level of significance as an excellent example of a mid-19th through mid-20th century residential area.

The district, approximately 245 acres in size, is located northwest of downtown and is roughly bounded by Jule Peek Avenue, Spruce Street, Wissahickon Avenue and Marshall Street.

Staff members from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division will hold a public information meeting concerning the proposed Northwest Cedartown Historic District and the National Register of Historic Places on May 11, at 6:30 p.m., at City Hall.

According to Michael Wyatt, chairman of Cedartown’s Historic Preservation Commission, it is important that historical areas be recognized through the registry.

“Through time, particularly with developmental pressures … things change, and with changes come demolitions and bad renovations. The existing character of the community disappears,” Wyatt said. “If you don’t try to put it into a Historic District to honor it, people will change it.”

The National Register of Historic Places is the country’s official list of historic buildings, structures, sites, objects and districts worthy of preservation.

And while being placed onto the registry does not protect the districts from changes, it does have benefits.

Wyatt stated that while being placed on the registry would not keep homeowners from altering property, government projects such as highway construction could be stopped.

Also, renovated properties in historic districts can result in tax breaks for property owners, according to Wyatt.

The Historic Preservation Division nominates eligible properties in Georgia to the National Register so that they can receive these preservation benefits and incentives, which helps to preserve and give recognition to the historic properties.

Wyatt said what makes the Northwest District so special is that much of the area is still in its original form.

“The old houses are like they’ve always been, and that’s why you want to retain it.”

The district is comprised of houses constructed during almost 100 years of continuous development in the city.

A number of late 1940s through 1950s houses in the northwest corner of the district were designed and built by Billy Barr of Cedartown Builders, a local building company.

The district is also home to the 1955 Colonial Revival-style First Baptist Church, which is considered a landmark of the community.

The public, especially residents of the Northwest District, are urged to attend the May 11 meeting to voice their opinions, said Wyatt.