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In 2008 the City of Eastland began a process to help preserve the
historic value of the city for present and future generations. Following
on the heels of prior renovations to the Connellee Hotel, Majestic
Theater and the Rotary Park (now the Six Flags Park), the City saw the
need to develop a program to continue preserving the history and
historic structures located not only in the downtown area, but
throughout the city.
 The
process began with the appointment of an advisory committee to research
and develop a Historic Preservation Ordinance to add to the City’s
current zoning ordinance. Once completed,
Ordinance #737 was approved on final reading in July 2008.
The City Commission then began seeking out five individuals with a
common interest in preserving the historic values of the city. The first
Eastland Historic Preservation Board was appointed in March of 2009 and
consisted of Dean Vernon, Ed Allcorn, Anne Zoellick, Terry Simmons and
Jeanie Griffin. Eastland Planning & Zoning Official Bill Dolen sits as
an ex officio member.
The EHP Board is charged by
Ordinance #737 with a set of goals and a purpose to protect, enhance
and perpetuate landmarks and a district of historical and cultural
importance and significance necessary to promote the economic, cultural,
educational and general welfare of the public.
  Historic Grant Application
Design
Guidelines
The board immediately set to work researching and developing a
Historic District
Overlay setting the boundaries of a downtown historic district. The
board also, with the assistance of Jamie Smith Mulholland, architect and
former Eastlander, developed a set of
Historic District
Design Guidelines to assist the board and property owners with
construction work to property within the designated district. The
Guidelines also include an
Application for a
Downtown Development Grant.
 In
2009, the Eastland Historic Preservation Board, on behalf of the City,
applied to the Texas Historical Commission for their Visionaries in
Preservation Program (VIP). In November of that year the city was
notified of the THC’s selection of Eastland as one of three VIP
communities for 2010. Following monthly meetings/workshops beginning in
January 2010, THC officials formally presented the City with a
VIP
Action Plan at a September reception in the lobby of the historic
Connellee Hotel.
The Eastland Historic Preservation Board meets monthly on the third
Wednesday of each month in the Commission Chambers at the Eastland City
Hall, 113 E. Commerce. For more information on Historic Preservation in
the city of Eastland contact Bill Dolen at 254-629-3349.
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