Downtown Pomeroy has been listed as a Historic District on the Washington Heritage Register by the Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation, Olympia. The action took place at the Summer Meeting of the Historical Preservation Office in Bellingham, reported State Historic Preservation Officer Allyson Brooks. The nomination has been forwarded to the Keeper of the National register in Washington, D. C., with a recommendation for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, said Brooks.

The Historic District, which runs primarily along Pomeroy’s Main Street, has joined over 1,500 other historic and culturally significant properties that have been recognized for their unique contributions to Washington’s heritage. The District includes a large number of architecturally intact buildings which show the changing face of Pomeroy’s downtown from the late-1800’s through the 1950’s, according to Michael Houser, architectural historian for the state. The District includes 58 buildings of which 43 were deemed to be "Historic Contributing."

Beverly L. Adams-Gordon, chairwoman of the Pomeroy Historic Preservation Commission, told the Pomeroy City Council that "The Washington Heritage listing is the next-to-last step for our National Historic District. The Heritage Listing and recommendation virtually assure National District status as all the public hearings and property owner voting have been completed." Adams-Gordon pointed out to the City Council how "phenomenal the speed of this progress has been." She explained that it often takes cities years to work through and achieve their nomination.

Pomeroy’s process began with a public meeting with architectural historian Houser in May, 2002. Their City Council passed a Historic Preservation Ordinance in August, 2002. Shortly thereafter, the City was awarded a $10,500 grant by the Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation to fund research and complete the nomination application. Listing as a State Historic District was accomplished in late June, 2003, with National Historic District listing expected in August of this year.

For more information on Pomeroy’s history, photographs, and the Historical District, you may visit the Historic Preservation Commission’s web site at www.historicpomeroy.com.

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