National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is a list of properties significant in our nation’s past, which is maintained in Washington, D.C., by the National Park Service. Properties are added to the list by nominations submitted by citizens nationwide through State Historic Preservation Offices. South Carolina has over 1,400 listings in the National Register. This includes over 170 historic districts.

The National Register recognizes places that are important to our local, state, and national heritage and are worthy of preservation. It helps federal, state, and local governments identify those places that should be considered in planning and those whose preservation should be encouraged through economic incentives and technical assistance. Perhaps the most important result of National Register listing is the recognition that it brings. Private citizens and organizations and local governments can use this recognition to raise awareness and encourage historic preservation.

In addition, the National Register file records themselves are a valuable archive of information about our nation’s historic places. The files include the nomination forms, photographs, and maps, and sometimes copies of historical sources. In South Carolina the National Register nominations, selected photographs and maps are online. The National Register paper files are also available by request through the SC Archives and History Center Research Room. 

Law and Regulations

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, Section 101, authorized the Secretary of the Interior to "expand and maintain a National Register of Historic Places composed of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture."

36 CFR 60.1 through 60.15 Regulations governing the National Register of Historic Places program

Helpful Links

Official website of the National Register of Historic Places program from the National Park Service

Staff Contacts

Andy Chandler, 803-896-6179 and Tracy Power, 803-896-6182