The Haunted
Historic Ott Hotel
Historic Ott Hotel
| THE OTT HOTEL RECEIVES TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKER After 78 years the Ott Hotel finally received a well deserved accommodation from the State of Texas. |
| Thank you to everyone who has visited our page. DO TO THE GREAT NUMBER OF PARANORMAL GROUPS WANTING TO VISIT US, WE ARE HAVING TO LIMIT ONE INVESTIGATION GROUP PER MONTH ONLY. THE OFFICE HAS A LIST IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WAIT. THIS IS FOR ALL WHO HAVE EQUIPMENT AND SUCH. IF YOU ARE JUST AN WEEKENDER LOOKING FOR A ROOM FOR ONE OR TWO NIGHTS YOU NEED TO TELL THE OFFICE YOU WANT A HAUNTED ROOM FOR THE WEEKEND ONLY. Booking rooms: Single Historic rooms have one double bed only. Can only sleep two. NO TV, ETC. JUST LIKE 1928. Tours are still being offered. Must call for time and date. 936-336-3832 Office So It Begins Again !! WOW !!! June 5th & 6th THE OTT HOTEL HAD INVITED COASTAL PARANORMAL RESEARCH TO SPEND THE WEEKEND. THEY GOT OFF TO A SLOW NIGHT ON FRIDAY BUT SATURDAY NIGHT GAVE THEM A NEW OUT LOOK ON HANDS ON INVESTIGATION. SPIRITS NOT INTO PHOTOS OR FILM BUT THEY WANTED TO BE HEARD. E.V.P.'S AND A LOT OF THEM. C.R.P. WILL BE BACK IN A FEW DAYS WITH WHAT THEY FOUND. CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR ALL OF THEM. MAY WAS A INTERESTING MONTH. THE OTT INVITED MARLIN & COMPANY TO INVESTIGATE THE ATTIC HERE AT THE HISTORIC OTT HOTEL. THEY HAD A GREAT TIME IN THE ATTIC. PHOTOS OF ORBS AND E.V.P'S OF VOICES TELLING THEM TO GET OUT AND CALLING MARLIN BY NAME AND MAKING REMARKS ABOUT HIM. CRAZY YOU SAY??? IT'S ALL ON TAPE. WHO KNEW THE ATTIC IS A HANG OUT FOR OUR SPIRITS!!! April was great !! MANY GUEST SPENT THE NIGHT. WE HAD THE REVEEL FROM THE I.H.O.P.P. GROUP. WE RECEIVED A LOT OF EVIDENCE BOTH ON E.V.P.'S AND VIDEO. ! Saturday night March 21st, 2009 was one crazy night. We had an Investigation group from Beaumont, Texas. I.H.O.P.P. ( Investigating Haunting Of Paranormal Phenomena). The building was so active the group stayed until 4am and the spirits still wanted to be seen and heard. The group leader was so excited about the evidence he is coming back . The group said the hotel was a hot bed of activity and the orbs and Spirits were flying all night. It was a great night for all the owners said. On Friday the 13th,09 we had Gabriel's Group. About eight people in all. They had all the Equipment and such. Can't wait to see what they recorded. We have had visitors from Oslo, Norway. Our first international group. 3/6/2009 Then the next night we had a paranormal group from Houston Texas. They wired the building,cameras, recorders, ect. They will be back in a few days with the results. Rooms 204/206/212/ 214/216 plus halls. Once again the Historic Ott Hotel has lived up to being The Haunted Historic Ott Hotel. |
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The Haunted Historic Ott Hotel
GHOST STORIES OF
1930 IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT
SOMETIME AROUND THE FALL OF THE YEAR,
OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER, A YOUNG WOMEN
NAMED ANNA WAS STAYING AT THE OTT
HOTEL WITH HER LOVER. THEY WERE HAVING
AN AFFAIR. ANNA WAS MARRIED TO A MAN
NAMED JOSHUA. HE FOUND OUT ABOUT THE
AFFAIR AND CAME LOOKING FOR HER. HIS
APPEARANCE WAS THAT OF A TALL AND
SLENDER MAN, DRESSED IN A BLACK COWBOY
HAT, BLACK DUSTER COAT, AND BLACK
BOOTS. JOSHUA KNOCKED ON ALL THE DOORS
OF THE HOTEL UNTIL HE FOUND ANNA. ANNA
OPENED THE DOOR TO HER ROOM. SHE WAS
DRESSED IN A WHITE NIGHTGOWN. A HEATED
ARGUMENT OCCURRED IN THE UP STAIRS
HALLWAY AND THEN OUT OF NO WHERE A
LOUD GUN SHOT WAS HEARD BY ALL IN THE
HOTEL. ANNA LAY DEAD ON THE FLOOR AS
WELL AS HER HUSBAND JOSHUA . TO THIS DAY
IT IS UNCLEAR WHO SHOT AND KILLED THE
MARRIED COUPLE, BUT IT WAS VERY CLEAR
THEY WERE BOTH KILLED BY THE SAME
BULLET. A HORRIBLE LOVE GONE AWRY.
TODAY THEY BOTH STILL WALK THE HALLS OF
THE HISTORIC Ott HOTEL AND YOU CAN STILL
HEAR THE ARGUMENT IN THE UPSTAIRS
HALLWAY. ONCE A YEAR WHEN THE
NOVEMBER WIND BLOWS FROM THE NORTH
YOU WILL STILL HEAR THE SINGLE GUNSHOT
THAT CLAIMED THE LIVES OF TWO LOVES WHO
WERE BOTH KILLED BY A SINGLE SHOT OF
JEALOUSY.
| IF YOU WANT MORE UNUSUAL "GHOST "STORIES FROM ACTUAL TENANTS AND SOME PICTURES THAT LACK EXPLANATION ...THEN GO AHEAD TURN THE PAGE AND CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE. BEFORE YOU ARE DONE YOU WILL AGREE THAT THERE IS SOME KIND OF ENTITY THAT DWELLS IN AND AMONGST US. YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU VISITED US HERE AT..... |
The Ott Hotel being built
in the summer of 1928
in the summer of 1928
The Haunted Historic Ott
Hotel January 2007
Hotel January 2007
To every visitor of The Haunted Historic Ott Hotel FREE ORBS FOR EVERYONE We recommend that you bring a digital camera and just photo all the orbs you want. |
| The Haunted Historic Ott Hotel For reservations call 936-336-3832 |
Actual inscription on the Historical marker
OTT HOTEL
Built to capitalize on oil boom prosperity, The OTT Hotel became a
Liberty landmark. The regional economy in the early 20th century
focused on trade, timber and agriculture. The discovery of large oil
fields. Including Batson (15miles NE) and south Liberty (4 miles S.)
brought great activity to Liberty as the nearest rail connection, and
many new buildings went up, including restaurants, general stores and
this railroad hotel.
Louisiana native John Joshua Ott (1867-1939) and his wife Sallie
Wiggins Ott (1874-1963) of San Jacinto county hired contractor Elza
Burch to build the hotel. Completed in late 1928 adjacent to the Texas &
New Orleans railroad tracks and very near the depot. The Ott Hotel was
well positioned to sever train passengers and was known as a
Drummer Hotel. Named for the traveling salesmen of the day. Its
location was also ideally suited for automobile tourists on the Old
Spanish Trail (later State Highway 3 and U.S. Highway 90). As well as
those with business in the nearby liberty county courthouse.
The hotel's original design included 50 rooms in an L-shaped building
footprint, with community baths in the middle of the long halls. Dining
room and parlor space were later converted into additional rooms. A
sign painted on the bricks on the side along the railroad attracted new
arrivals. This two-story brick building features paired windows and has
a prominent four-bay front porch with tapered wood columns, A
low-pitch roof and brick detailing. Craftsman-style exposed rafter tails
outline the porch and the entire building. Several managers operated
the hotel, and the property remained in the Ott family until 2002 when
Mr. & Mrs. Mc Cain purchased the hotel.
Recorded Texas Historical Landmark - 2005
OTT HOTEL
Built to capitalize on oil boom prosperity, The OTT Hotel became a
Liberty landmark. The regional economy in the early 20th century
focused on trade, timber and agriculture. The discovery of large oil
fields. Including Batson (15miles NE) and south Liberty (4 miles S.)
brought great activity to Liberty as the nearest rail connection, and
many new buildings went up, including restaurants, general stores and
this railroad hotel.
Louisiana native John Joshua Ott (1867-1939) and his wife Sallie
Wiggins Ott (1874-1963) of San Jacinto county hired contractor Elza
Burch to build the hotel. Completed in late 1928 adjacent to the Texas &
New Orleans railroad tracks and very near the depot. The Ott Hotel was
well positioned to sever train passengers and was known as a
Drummer Hotel. Named for the traveling salesmen of the day. Its
location was also ideally suited for automobile tourists on the Old
Spanish Trail (later State Highway 3 and U.S. Highway 90). As well as
those with business in the nearby liberty county courthouse.
The hotel's original design included 50 rooms in an L-shaped building
footprint, with community baths in the middle of the long halls. Dining
room and parlor space were later converted into additional rooms. A
sign painted on the bricks on the side along the railroad attracted new
arrivals. This two-story brick building features paired windows and has
a prominent four-bay front porch with tapered wood columns, A
low-pitch roof and brick detailing. Craftsman-style exposed rafter tails
outline the porch and the entire building. Several managers operated
the hotel, and the property remained in the Ott family until 2002 when
Mr. & Mrs. Mc Cain purchased the hotel.
Recorded Texas Historical Landmark - 2005
Wow !! Can you ever imagine being the person who is so old that they
don't know when their birthday is, but knows how old they are ? Here
at the Historic Ott Hotel we had that kind of dilemma of not knowing the
actual opening date just knowing we were born in 1928.
Due to this photo we have determined that the opening date was
sometime after August 9th, 1928. Looking at the stage of construction
we have come up with December 31st as our birthday. We are really
excited about our past and the future to come.
don't know when their birthday is, but knows how old they are ? Here
at the Historic Ott Hotel we had that kind of dilemma of not knowing the
actual opening date just knowing we were born in 1928.
Due to this photo we have determined that the opening date was
sometime after August 9th, 1928. Looking at the stage of construction
we have come up with December 31st as our birthday. We are really
excited about our past and the future to come.
| WEDDING BELLS ARE RINGING AT THE HISTORIC OTT HOTEL 1945 MR. & MRS. DEMPSEY HENLEY HONEY MOON 2002 LINDA TARRANT & JOE KENT DINNING ROOM 2005 DORTHY (PEANUT) & WYNDAL NUGGENT LOBBY 2006 ALANNA MCCAIN & JACOB WILLIAMSON FRONT PORCH 2009 SHIELA DANURAND & CHARLES MARLIN WILLIAMS LOBBY |
At a time when the trains where moving west and a weary traveler
wanted a good bed, a hot meal, and a warm bath, the OTT Hotel
meant civilization.
The OTT Hotel is the oldest remaining building on Travis Street in
Liberty, Texas. Liberty is located in the southern part of Liberty
County at the gateway of the Big Thicket and Seven Pines area.
Liberty Texas the home of the OTT Hotel is the third oldest city in
Texas. Liberty, Texas was established on March 30, 1831 five years
before Texas declared it's independence from Mexico. Liberty's
original name under Mexican rule was "ATASCOSITO".
The land that the OTT Hotel sits on today was originally owned by
Old Mexico.
The OTT Hotel was built in 1928 by contractor Eliza Burch. Eliza
Burch died on November 11, 1957 in Liberty County. Mr. Burch built
the OTT Hotel for Mr. John Joshua Ott and his wife Mrs. Salie
Wiggins Ott.
John Joshua Ott was born February 13, 1867 in Louisiana to Mr. Isxic
Isaha Ott (father) and Mrs. Sara Mizelle Ott (mother). Salie Wiggins
Ott was born on May 22, 1874 in San Jacinto County, Texas. Salie
was six years old on the 1880 U.S.A. Census Report.
John and Salie where married in March 15, 1894.
John Joshua Ott was laid to rest on March 7, 1939 at Lourel Lynn
Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
Salie Wiggins Ott was laid to rest on July 18, 1963. She was buried
next to her husband at the Lourel Lynn Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
In 1831, Mr. James B. Woods purchased block # 31 lot # 3 in the
down town district of the City of Liberty, Liberty County, Texas. In
1903 there was great excitement in Liberty over the Batson oil
boom. Tycoons ans oil speculators came from North,South, East,
and West. There was no train to Batson. It was located in the
southwestern Hardin County, and Liberty was one of the nearest
train stops and the quickest route to the new discovery of "liquid
gold". The travel to and through Liberty was a sizable increase in
local business for hotels, restaurants, hacks and other enterprises.
In 1914 B.M. O'Brien owned lot # 3 until 1919 when Mr. E.W. Pickett
also purchased part of block # 31 lot # 3. Both of these men held
ownership of this land until 1926. When Block # 31 lot # 3 was sold to
Mr. A.L. Kayser.
On January 27, 1928 the land was purchased by Mr. John Joshua Ott
and Mrs. Salie Ott. Then block # 31 lot # 3 was cleared for
construction of the Ott Hotel. An article was printed by The Houston
Press Newspaper out of Galveston, Texas along with a photo of the
new "Modern" 50 room Ott Hotel on August 8, 1928. Showing the
finishing touches to the front of the Ott Hotel.
The Ott Hotel was built in 1928 because of the "boom town" growth
Liberty and Liberty County where experiencing. The population of
Liberty was on the incline in 1920, with 1117 listed on the U.S.
Census Report. In 1925 oil in commercial quantities was discovered
in South Liberty, centered on a high sandy ridge atop a coastal salt
dome about four miles south of the courthouse on the league of land
granted by Mexican government to Matthew G. White in 1831.Only a
few landowners, including the Allen Barretts and the large Mitchell
family, lived in the area at the time, but within a few months at least
fifty frame buildings lined the streets. On a small scale, it was
another overnight town like Spindle Top, Sour Lake, and Batson. The
field is still producing from the original sands and through deeper
development in more recent years. By 1973, it had produced
74,087,103 barrels of oil, making it one of the most prolific salt dome
fields on the Gulf Coast of Texas. The first well was drilled by
Liberty Oil Company was sunk in the fall of 1903. Mr. Pickett was
president of the oil company.
On June 30, 1942 Price Daniel ( Governor of the State of Texas)
purchased part of block # 31 lot # 3 in the City of Liberty. Mr. Dainiels
held block # 31 lot # 3 until November 30, 1956.
The Houston Press Newspaper from Galveston Texas reported Mr.
And Mrs. Ott were from Conroe, Texas. This is only half true. The Ott
had purchased a boarding house in Conroe, Texas some time before
the Ott Hotel was built. It was also said that Mr. Ott owned a small
hotel in Dallas, Texas as well. The Ott Hotel has a variety of on site
managers over the years.
The Ott estate was divided between their grandchildren, Patricia Lee
O' Dell , Walter B. Lee III of Harris County, Texas and Ann Hardy
Prince of Spring , Texas. Granddaughter Ann Prince purchased the
other grand children's shares of the Ott Hotel. Ann Prince of the
Woodlands became sole owner in 1997.
On January 11, 2002 Mr. Kelly David and Susan Elaine Mc Cain
purchased the Ott Hotel. The Ott Hotel went into major restoration.
The Ott Hotel Has been restored to the 1928 interior. The hotel is a
prime example of 1920's modern architecture, a favorite style used
during the development of South Texas. The hotel is a two story
ship lap structure with high 10 foot ceilings, and five column porch
that covers the main entrance. But one of the most distinctive
external features is the building's fifty eight rectangle windows
placed for air flow ( remember the Ott Hotel did not have air
condition until 1980). So travelers could enjoy the breeze and watch
the bustling train depot from the windows of the grand front porch.
The interior of the hotel reflects the past with airy ten foot ceilings,
original wall trim, wall color, and wooden floors. The upstairs
contains hotel rooms, and a bath at the middle of the long hall. One
bath for the men and one for the ladies. Most of the furniture from
the early years of the hotel is here, reflecting years of hard work.
The second floor is accessible by a staircase from the first floor
lobby. The downs stairs area featured a spacious lobby with the
original 1928 front counter along with original hotel registers, still in
existence, record for posterity the names of train crews, oil field
workers, salesman, and governors - a microcosm of the history of
the area and mini museum of the history of the Ott Hotel along with
history, photos of Liberty, Texas from the past and artifacts left from
travelers from years ago. More rooms, a washroom, and office
space round out the first floor. The dining room was closed as the oil
boom brought many restaurants to the town. Family style meals
gave way to the newer style eatery. The need for rooms was great
so there fore, the dining room was portioned into a small apartment.
The parlor was turned into an office.
The Ott Hotel is distinguished for it's historical significance and
architectural design. Historically, it is a vivid reminder everyone
especially to many in the community of Liberty of the enterprising
spirit of the pioneers who came to South Texas. As for today, the Ott
Hotel still stands and operates as the original design it was built for.
Thee Ott Hotel is still a functioning train hotel. The Ott Hotel Still
stands only 14 feet from the railroad tracks and 150 feet from the
original train depot ( which is still standing today) the hotel radiates
a distinct aura of the past. You can almost hear the old steam engine
and smell the coal, and step back to a time when the innocence was
still innocent to that so special place that Norman Rockwall took us
with his art work.
Maybe not all innocence was lost, because today as well as in 1928
when the OTT Hotel opened it's doors, you can still stand on the
grand five column porch and watch the trains travel past 20 times a
day and know the past and the present are not all that different.
wanted a good bed, a hot meal, and a warm bath, the OTT Hotel
meant civilization.
The OTT Hotel is the oldest remaining building on Travis Street in
Liberty, Texas. Liberty is located in the southern part of Liberty
County at the gateway of the Big Thicket and Seven Pines area.
Liberty Texas the home of the OTT Hotel is the third oldest city in
Texas. Liberty, Texas was established on March 30, 1831 five years
before Texas declared it's independence from Mexico. Liberty's
original name under Mexican rule was "ATASCOSITO".
The land that the OTT Hotel sits on today was originally owned by
Old Mexico.
The OTT Hotel was built in 1928 by contractor Eliza Burch. Eliza
Burch died on November 11, 1957 in Liberty County. Mr. Burch built
the OTT Hotel for Mr. John Joshua Ott and his wife Mrs. Salie
Wiggins Ott.
John Joshua Ott was born February 13, 1867 in Louisiana to Mr. Isxic
Isaha Ott (father) and Mrs. Sara Mizelle Ott (mother). Salie Wiggins
Ott was born on May 22, 1874 in San Jacinto County, Texas. Salie
was six years old on the 1880 U.S.A. Census Report.
John and Salie where married in March 15, 1894.
John Joshua Ott was laid to rest on March 7, 1939 at Lourel Lynn
Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
Salie Wiggins Ott was laid to rest on July 18, 1963. She was buried
next to her husband at the Lourel Lynn Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
In 1831, Mr. James B. Woods purchased block # 31 lot # 3 in the
down town district of the City of Liberty, Liberty County, Texas. In
1903 there was great excitement in Liberty over the Batson oil
boom. Tycoons ans oil speculators came from North,South, East,
and West. There was no train to Batson. It was located in the
southwestern Hardin County, and Liberty was one of the nearest
train stops and the quickest route to the new discovery of "liquid
gold". The travel to and through Liberty was a sizable increase in
local business for hotels, restaurants, hacks and other enterprises.
In 1914 B.M. O'Brien owned lot # 3 until 1919 when Mr. E.W. Pickett
also purchased part of block # 31 lot # 3. Both of these men held
ownership of this land until 1926. When Block # 31 lot # 3 was sold to
Mr. A.L. Kayser.
On January 27, 1928 the land was purchased by Mr. John Joshua Ott
and Mrs. Salie Ott. Then block # 31 lot # 3 was cleared for
construction of the Ott Hotel. An article was printed by The Houston
Press Newspaper out of Galveston, Texas along with a photo of the
new "Modern" 50 room Ott Hotel on August 8, 1928. Showing the
finishing touches to the front of the Ott Hotel.
The Ott Hotel was built in 1928 because of the "boom town" growth
Liberty and Liberty County where experiencing. The population of
Liberty was on the incline in 1920, with 1117 listed on the U.S.
Census Report. In 1925 oil in commercial quantities was discovered
in South Liberty, centered on a high sandy ridge atop a coastal salt
dome about four miles south of the courthouse on the league of land
granted by Mexican government to Matthew G. White in 1831.Only a
few landowners, including the Allen Barretts and the large Mitchell
family, lived in the area at the time, but within a few months at least
fifty frame buildings lined the streets. On a small scale, it was
another overnight town like Spindle Top, Sour Lake, and Batson. The
field is still producing from the original sands and through deeper
development in more recent years. By 1973, it had produced
74,087,103 barrels of oil, making it one of the most prolific salt dome
fields on the Gulf Coast of Texas. The first well was drilled by
Liberty Oil Company was sunk in the fall of 1903. Mr. Pickett was
president of the oil company.
On June 30, 1942 Price Daniel ( Governor of the State of Texas)
purchased part of block # 31 lot # 3 in the City of Liberty. Mr. Dainiels
held block # 31 lot # 3 until November 30, 1956.
The Houston Press Newspaper from Galveston Texas reported Mr.
And Mrs. Ott were from Conroe, Texas. This is only half true. The Ott
had purchased a boarding house in Conroe, Texas some time before
the Ott Hotel was built. It was also said that Mr. Ott owned a small
hotel in Dallas, Texas as well. The Ott Hotel has a variety of on site
managers over the years.
The Ott estate was divided between their grandchildren, Patricia Lee
O' Dell , Walter B. Lee III of Harris County, Texas and Ann Hardy
Prince of Spring , Texas. Granddaughter Ann Prince purchased the
other grand children's shares of the Ott Hotel. Ann Prince of the
Woodlands became sole owner in 1997.
On January 11, 2002 Mr. Kelly David and Susan Elaine Mc Cain
purchased the Ott Hotel. The Ott Hotel went into major restoration.
The Ott Hotel Has been restored to the 1928 interior. The hotel is a
prime example of 1920's modern architecture, a favorite style used
during the development of South Texas. The hotel is a two story
ship lap structure with high 10 foot ceilings, and five column porch
that covers the main entrance. But one of the most distinctive
external features is the building's fifty eight rectangle windows
placed for air flow ( remember the Ott Hotel did not have air
condition until 1980). So travelers could enjoy the breeze and watch
the bustling train depot from the windows of the grand front porch.
The interior of the hotel reflects the past with airy ten foot ceilings,
original wall trim, wall color, and wooden floors. The upstairs
contains hotel rooms, and a bath at the middle of the long hall. One
bath for the men and one for the ladies. Most of the furniture from
the early years of the hotel is here, reflecting years of hard work.
The second floor is accessible by a staircase from the first floor
lobby. The downs stairs area featured a spacious lobby with the
original 1928 front counter along with original hotel registers, still in
existence, record for posterity the names of train crews, oil field
workers, salesman, and governors - a microcosm of the history of
the area and mini museum of the history of the Ott Hotel along with
history, photos of Liberty, Texas from the past and artifacts left from
travelers from years ago. More rooms, a washroom, and office
space round out the first floor. The dining room was closed as the oil
boom brought many restaurants to the town. Family style meals
gave way to the newer style eatery. The need for rooms was great
so there fore, the dining room was portioned into a small apartment.
The parlor was turned into an office.
The Ott Hotel is distinguished for it's historical significance and
architectural design. Historically, it is a vivid reminder everyone
especially to many in the community of Liberty of the enterprising
spirit of the pioneers who came to South Texas. As for today, the Ott
Hotel still stands and operates as the original design it was built for.
Thee Ott Hotel is still a functioning train hotel. The Ott Hotel Still
stands only 14 feet from the railroad tracks and 150 feet from the
original train depot ( which is still standing today) the hotel radiates
a distinct aura of the past. You can almost hear the old steam engine
and smell the coal, and step back to a time when the innocence was
still innocent to that so special place that Norman Rockwall took us
with his art work.
Maybe not all innocence was lost, because today as well as in 1928
when the OTT Hotel opened it's doors, you can still stand on the
grand five column porch and watch the trains travel past 20 times a
day and know the past and the present are not all that different.
| HISTORY 101 HOW THE OTT HOTEL CAME TO BE ? |
| WHY SHOULD WE PRESERVE HISTORIC PLACES? If we wish to have a future with greater meaning, we must concern ourselves with the total heritage of the Nation and all that is worth preserving from our past as a living part of the present. The Historic Preservation Act of 1966 Reaffirmed in 1992 by the United States Congress: " The spirit and direction of the Nation are founded upon reflection in its historic heritage. The historical and cultural foundations of the Nation should be preserved as a living part of our community life and development in order to give a sense of orientation to the AMERICAN PEOPLE. Historic properties significant to the Nation's heritage are being lost or substantially altered, often inadvertently, with increasing frequency. The preservation of this irreplaceable heritage is in the public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational, economic, and energy benefits will be maintained and enriched for future generations of Americans." |