Historic commission to oppose renaming of Amulet Street, will send letter to mayor and council

The Natchitoches Historic District Commission agreed to prepare a letter to the mayor and city council expressing opposition to renaming Amulet Street within the city’s historic district, and a commissioner said the commission will present the letter at the council meeting next Monday.

The commission's action followed research presented during the meeting on why Amulet Street has historic significance within the National Register landmark area and how name changes inside a registered district may require review by the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service.

Commissioner (unspecified) said she contacted the State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service and cited naming guidance: “The name change should reflect the historic context of the area and avoid any potential harm to the historic property.” She described historical sources she reviewed, including an 1850 survey showing Bayou Amulet and maps showing the former lake and railroad alignments.

Another commissioner moved that the commission express its opposition to renaming Amulet Street; the motion was moved and seconded and commissioners said they agreed to proceed even though a full quorum was not present. The commission directed that a written letter outlining the commission’s concerns and attaching the survey be sent to the mayor and city council, and that a commissioner attend the council meeting to present the commission’s position and answer questions.

Commissioners cited two reasons for opposing the change: the street’s longstanding historical association in the downtown survey materials, and the commission’s responsibility to maintain the integrity of the federal and state-designated historic boundaries. One commissioner warned that renaming streets within the district “may jeopardize our status as a national, registered, historical district.”

At the meeting a commissioner noted that the city council previously considered a renaming proposal and voted five to nothing to disapprove it; commissioners discussed limiting any objection to the portion of Amulet Street that lies inside the federal and state historic boundaries.

The commission asked staff to attach the 1850 survey and other research to the letter. The chair said she would draft and send the letter and attend the council meeting to present the commission’s concerns.

Other routine items at the meeting — including administrative updates and two appeals on demolition cases — were noted but did not change the commission’s instruction to prepare the letter.