The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archeological resources. Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering and culture. The National Register is administered by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

National Register properties are distinguished by having been documented and evaluated according to uniform standards. This process begins with the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Listing in the National Register contributes to preserving historic properties in a number of ways:

• Recognition that a property is of significance to the Nation, the State, or the community.
• Consideration in the planning for Federal or federally assisted projects.
• Eligibility for Federal tax benefits.
• Eligibility for Property Tax Assessment Freeze Program (owner-occupied residences).

To see which Rock Island structures are among the more than 78,000 nationwide entries listed on the National Register of Historic Places, search the Rock Island Historic Structures Inventory.