Palatka historic board approves two markers for Sherman Conant House; applicant to pay costs

The Palatka Historic Preservation Board voted Jan. 2 to approve two historic markers recognizing the Sherman Conant House at 603 Emmett Street and a related marker near River and Dodge streets, and asked that the river-side marker reference the South Historic District.

The markers were proposed by property owner Jay Miller, who told the board the markers would help visitors and drivers recognize the city’s historic districts. “A lot of people that come to our property have no idea that, in fact, the whole neighborhood is on the National Historic Register,” Miller said, introducing the request for a sign at the house and a second sign on the river side of River Street.

Board members discussed safety and placement before voting. Some members said a riverside marker could draw pedestrians into the street because of limited sidewalks; other members pointed to existing off-site markers elsewhere in the city as precedents. The board agreed as a compromise that the riverside marker should include the house name and explicitly note the South Historic District; both motions were approved by voice vote.

According to the application and staff presentation, the proposed property marker will read “Sherman Conant House, circa 1884” and describe architectural and historical features cited by the applicant. In her presentation the staff member identified the property as a large Queen Anne–style residence built in the 1880s and reported that the Public Works Department approved placement of the off-site sign in the right of way. The applicant said the house includes an excavated entrance to an underground tunnel; Miller said he had “approximately the first 10 feet excavated and restored to display its entrance.”

Miller told the board he would cover the markers’ cost; the applicant and board described the signs as expensive, with an estimated cost of about $3,000 each. The applicant said he was willing to accept wording changes that add the district name so the riverside marker reads something similar to “Sherman Conant House — South Historic District.”

Board members approved the on-site property marker first, then separately approved the off-site riverside marker with the district wording change. No roll-call vote tally was recorded in the meeting minutes beyond unanimous voice approval.

Background provided by the applicant and staff described the Conant residence as a multi-story Queen Anne–style home built for Sherman Conant, an early local figure; the applicant also said the house later operated as the Grand Gables bed-and-breakfast. The board noted interest in placing additional directional or district signage visible from the main bridge approaches in a future agenda item to help visitors locate historic districts.

The board’s approval allows the applicant to proceed with fabrication and placement of the two markers in the locations approved; the applicant indicated he would work with city staff on final wording and exact siting.