The county is considering registering the old courthouse as a national historic place, which may open opportunities for grants to maintain and restore the 114-year-old structure. And the removal of the 1954 addition would increase the possibility of historic designation, county officials believe.

The National Register of Historic Places is the program authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1996 and administrated by the National Park Service. Nationwide, the list contains 76,000 properties.

The registration would not only bring an official recognition for its historic significance, but also pave the way for enrolling in various financial assistance programs for preservation.

According to County Administrator Ron Gabrielsen, the county may count on up to $75,000 in grant money for initial restoration, and there would be subsequent endowments for maintenance work.

There was an attempt to register the old courthouse several years ago, which turned out to be unsuccessful.

According to County Historical Society Executive Director Bev Jackson, too much modification added to the original structure was probably the reason. The application has to go through the state review board, which makes a recommendation to the State Historic Preservation Officer, who ultimately decides whether to approve the nomination.

Jackson, who used to sit on the review board, thinks the physical alteration, such as the removed clock tower and onion-shaped dormers would be a major obstacle to surviving the scrutiny.

But, County Administrator Ron Gabrielsen expects that having the 1954 building demolished and exposing the original facade on the north wall would change the circumstances. &uot;I heard the main reason that the application was rejected was that the building has to have original walls exposed on at least three sides,&uot; he said.

The county board has voted to tear down the 1954 building &045; the

northernmost addition to the courthouse &045; and replace it with new space added onto the new judicial center complex, to be built on the south side of the existing courthouse.

The criteria also includes the age, generally 50 years or older; historic significance to the community’s history; and distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method of construction.

The grants are not guaranteed for every registered property, Gabrielsen stressed. Jackson does not recall that any grants automatically come with the historic designation, either. But she said the listing would increase the chance for funding.