Texas Historical Commission

Research your proposed marker topic and develop the brief historical narrative and documentation that will be required (4-5 pages minimum with footnotes).
Visit with your county historical commission (CHC) chair regarding the time frame for review at the county level. Work out a schedule with the CHC chair to ensure the commission has adequate time to review and comment on your application before it is forwarded to the THC.
Check the THC website to acquaint yourself with the policies and procedures. Review the online tutorials and research guides so you are familiar with the marker process and requirements.
Pre-Application Review: Take advantage, if you so choose, of the THC's pre-application review process for a preliminary determination of eligibility. While the pre-application review will not replace the application process, it will answer any questions about whether or not your proposed topic is even eligible for marking under state policies. This service is available year-round to facilitate efficiency during the annual application period. Contact the marker coordinator for more information.

Q. How do I get a marker?

To begin work toward sponsoring a marker, you will need to determine whether the topic you want to mark is eligible for an Official Texas Historical Marker. If you want to proceed, you need to contact the County Historical Commission (CHC) for the county in which the marker will be placed, as that group must approve your application before it is submitted to the Texas Historical Commission (THC). To find your CHC contact person, check the contact list (pdf). For additional information on researching a marker topic and sponsoring a historical marker, read our most current information about the marker program.

Q. What are the age requirements for marker topics?

Historic persons must be deceased for at least 10 years in order to qualify, unless they are of statewide or national significance. Historic events that changed the course of state or local history must have occurred at least 30 years ago. Most other topics, including institutions, organizations and businesses, must date back at least 50 years in order to qualify. For the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark designation, buildings and structures need to be at least 50 years of age. The topic must also have demonstrated historical significance and, in the case of buildings and structures, possess architectural significance as well.

Q. What are the tax benefits for properties with a marker?

There are no tax benefits for subject marker properties. Markers conveying the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark designation may be eligible for local tax breaks if your city has adopted ad valorem benefits for these structures. Check with your local taxing authorities.

Q. Can a building that has been moved be designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark?

No.

Q. If my building has a marker, do I have to open it for tours?

No.

Q. How do I determine the title of the marker?

The historic names of institutions, communities, businesses, etc., should be used in all cases. Historic houses should be named for original owners or builders (when such can be determined) with up to two additional names for subsequent residents with strong historical associations and/or long occupancies. Remember that names of current owners or persons who have not been dead for at least 10 years may not appear on the marker. The title you suggest on the application form is subject to revision by staff and/or the State Marker Review Board in keeping with standard guidelines.

Q. Can I have my name included in the marker text?

Texas Historical Commission policy states that the marker text should be reserved for historical information only, and has therefore ruled that no individual may be included in the text until 10 years after his/her death. In addition, neither owners nor restorers of a building are to be included in the text.

Q. How can I find out the status of my marker application?

Correspondence is sent at numerous points in the application process; if you submitted an application but did not receive notification confirming receipt, please contact your county historical commission.

Q. Can we have our marker completed in time for a specific dedication date?

Due to the volume of applications and the many variables in the process, we prefer that you wait until the marker has been shipped and received before you set the dedication date.

Q. What do I do if a marker has been vandalized?

First, contact your police or sheriff's office. Second, if you want the marker replaced, you should follow the normal procedures for ordering. This means funds will need to be submitted for the replacement marker, and the marker application will need to meet current standards. Finally, some vandalized markers may be repairable. Contact the marker coordinator to determine whether additional research or documentation will be required.

Q. What do I do if there is an error on a marker?

Errors may be corrected either with a supplemental plate below the original marker or by completely replacing the original marker. Costs for the plaque or the new marker must be covered locally; there are no state funds for replacement markers. The correct information must be documented with acceptable reference material. Property owners, the county historical commission and the Texas Historical Commission would all need to approve the updated text. Contact the marker coordinator if you have questions.

Q. Does a marker protect a cemetery?

No. Cemeteries in Texas are protected under separate laws. See our information on the Historic Texas Cemetery designation.

Q. What different types of markers are offered?

Subject markers are solely educational in nature and convey no legal designation or restrictions to the property. Markers conveying the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) designation are for buildings and structures that meet architectural, as well as historical, requirements, and they carry a measure of protection for the property. Historic Texas Cemetery markers are for cemeteries that have completed the THC's designation process. Please read our most current marker information for more information.

Q. Why is private money used for markers?

The state appropriates money only for part of the administration of the marker program. The Texas Legislature requires the Texas Historical Commission to finance a portion of the program with marker funds, but the bulk of your cost represents the actual foundry work to manufacture the marker. The fact that private funds are used for part of the process does not mean that markers are owned by individuals; they are state markers and are property of the State of Texas.

Q. What if we need to move our marker to a new location?

The Texas Historical Commission must approve any plans for moving an Official Texas Historical Marker, which includes the 1936 centennial markers. To request permission, submit a Request to Relocate an Official Texas Historical Marker.

Q. Do you have replacement pieces for the 1936 centennial markers?

Yes. The bronze stars, wreaths, seals and plaques used in the centennial markers are available for purchase. Contact the marker coordinator for more information, or call 512/463-5853.

Designation Questions

What are the designations offered by the Texas Historical Commission?

What are the differences in the designations?

What are the incentives for seeking a historical designation?

What regulations apply to historical designations?

What are local designations?

How do I designate a historic property?

Q. What are the designations offered by the Texas Historical Commission?

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) offers four types of designations to recognize and protect historic and prehistoric properties:

Q. What are the differences in the designations?

The National Register of Historic Places is a federal program administered in our state by the THC in coordination with the National Park Service. Listing in the National Register provides national recognition of a property’s historical or architectural significance and denotes that it is worthy of preservation. Buildings, sites, objects, structures and districts are eligible for this designation if they are at least 50 years old and meet established criteria. Plaques are available, but not required, for this designation.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks (RTHLs) are properties judged to be historically and architecturally significant. The THC awards RTHL designation to buildings and structures at least 50 years old that are judged worthy of preservation for their architectural and historical associations. Participation in the Official Texas Historical Marker process is an integral part of the RTHL designation.
State Archeological Landmarks are designated by the THC and receive legal protection under the Antiquities Code of Texas. Listing in the National Register is a prerequisite for State Archeological Landmark designation of a building.
Historic Texas Cemetery designations are issued by the THC. Cemeteries or burial sites that are at least 50 years old and worthy of preservation for their historical associations can receive this designation. A special medallion and marker are available, but not required, for this designation.

Q. What are the incentives for seeking a historical designation?

Historical designations:

May help qualify property owners for grant funding or tax incentives
Give property owners priority access to technical assistance from the THC staff
Guide travelers to places of historical interest, although owners need not provide public access
Identify properties in Texas that deserve protection
Assist government and private groups planning new development
Recognize properties of local, state and national significance

Q. What regulations apply to historical designations?

National Register designation imposes no restrictions on property owners. Those receiving grant assistance or federal tax credits for rehabilitation projects, however, must adhere to certain standards. With a National Register designation, the property receives extra consideration before any federal projects, such as highway construction, are undertaken. To nominate a property, the owner's consent is required.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark designation helps preserve the state's historically and architecturally significant resources. Property owners planning exterior changes to these buildings must notify the THC 60 days in advance of changes to allow time for consultation with THC. Unsympathetic changes to these properties may result in removal of the designation and historical marker. To nominate a property, the owner's consent is required.
State Archeological Landmark designation stipulates the property cannot be removed, altered, damaged, salvaged or excavated without a permit from the THC. This designation encourages preservation and ensures that resources that cannot be preserved are at least properly documented. The designation of State Archeological Landmarks on private land is recorded in the county deed records and is conveyed with the property when sold. To nominate a site or building on private property, the owner's consent is required.
Historic Texas Cemetery designation is an official recognition of family and community graveyards and encourages preservation of historic cemeteries. The designation imposes no restrictions on private owners’ use of the land adjacent to the cemetery but provides for the recording of the cemetery into the county deed records as a historically dedicated property worthy of preservation. To nominate a cemetery, the owner, who is considered a trustee of the land dedicated for cemetery purposes, will be notified, although the owner’s consent is not required.

Q. What are local designations?

In addition to these federal and state designations, some municipalities allow designations of local historic landmarks or districts. These may convey certain restrictions upon property owners to maintain the integrity of the community's historic areas and significant properties. The THC does not administer local designations, so check with your local planning office for more information.

Q. How do I designate a historic property?

To designate archeological sites, see:
State Archeological Landmark
National Register of Historic Places

To designate architectural properties, see:
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
State Archeological Landmark
National Register of Historic Places

To designate a historic cemetery, see:
Historic Texas Cemetery
State Archeological Landmark
National Register of Historic Places