The Eau Claire Landmarks Commission is a seven-member citizen board that is appointed by the City Council. The purpose of the Commission is to:
- To encourage the preservation of our remaining landmark properties;
- To assist in the stabilization and maintenance of the City’s older neighborhoods;
- To provide educational activities which foster an appreciation of Eau Claire’s heritage.
In 1982, the Commission and State Historical Society of Wisconsin (SHSW) conducted an Intensive Survey to identify properties and districts having historical or architectural significance that would be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. A number of individual properties were identified, as well as three historic districts: Randall Park, the Third Ward, and the Emery Street Bungalow District. Most of these properties and the three districts were placed on the National Register in 1983.
Since then, the Commission has updated the City’s Intensive Survey 5 times, most recently in 2016. These surveys were funded from grant funds awarded through the Certified Local Government grant program. Additional historic districts designated in recent years because of these survey updates include: an expansion to the Third Ward Historic District, the Park Company District, Roosevelt Avenue District, Water Street Commercial District, and the Confluence Commercial District.
