Downtown block in Perkins named to National Register

(Perkins-AP) -- Officials in the Payne County town of Perkins say getting a block of the town's downtown listed on the National Register of Historic Places is just the first step.

Perkins Main Street director David Holbrook says residents are reclaiming their history and heritage. The downtown area is lined with buildings constructed in the late 1800's.

Owners of the 19 buildings now on the National Register qualify for tax breaks for renovations and a local bank is offering low interest loans.

Officials now plan to work with the Iowa tribe to build a walking trail from the Cimarron River through downtown, then on through a wetlands to the local school.