AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Resolution 2025-238R, whether to support the nomination to the National Register of Historic Places for Thompson-Cape Dam and Millrace, San Marcos, Hays County, Texas; including procedural provisions; and declaring an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: December 16, 2025
Department: Planning and Development Services Department
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Background Information:
The City of San Marcos received a notice from the Texas Historical Commission (THC) announcing that a nomination for Thompson-Cape Dam and Millrace, located at 600 Cape Road, was submitted for review by Preservation Texas. THC staff has reviewed the nomination and is forwarding it to the State Board of Review (SBR) for their consideration and possible action at their public meeting in Austin, Texas on Saturday, January 17, 2026. A copy of the draft nomination is attached along with the notice that was received.
The National Register of Historic Places is an honorary list that places no restrictions on private property owners, provided there is no federal assistance that could impact the property, such as grants, licensing/permitting, or state or federal tax credits for rehabilitation. The mere existence of a historic building or site cannot stop a federally funded construction project of this type. The THC works with the agencies funding these projects from the earliest stages possible in an effort to reduce the likelihood of conflict or of wasted time and money by identifying the historic concerns early and incorporating them in planning the project.
To be considered eligible for listing, a property must meet the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. This involves examining the property’s age, significance, and integrity. Age and Integrity: Is the property old enough to be considered historic (generally at least 50 years old) and does it still look much the way it did in the past? Significance: Is the property associated with events, activities, or developments that were important in the past? With the lives of people who were important in the past? With significant architectural history, landscape history, or engineering achievements? Does it have the potential to yield information through archeological investigation about our past?
There are four general criteria reviewed:
• Criterion A (Event): The property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history.
• Criterion B (People): The property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past.
• Criterion C (Design/Construction): The property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction; represents the work of a master; or possesses high artistic values.
• Criterion D (Information Potential): The property has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important to prehistory or history.
As part of the review process, the notification letter received from the THC states that “opinions in regard to the nomination” are required from the City’s highest elected official and the Historic Preservation Commission and must be submitted to the THC by January 16, 2026.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
The item was discussed at the Historic Preservation Commission on December 4, 2025. The Commission expressed that while they believe the dam qualifies as historic, they have concerns about its integrity. They noted that although the property is old enough to meet the criteria for historic designation, the dam may no longer retain enough of its original appearance. Additional concerns were raised regarding property boundaries and ownership were discussed.
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Recommendation:
Staff is seeking direction from City Council regarding whether the property meets the National Register criteria, and any other comments or opinions to consider regarding the nomination.