The impetus for a comprehensive inventory of Indiana's cultural resources came from the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The Act declared it the policy of the federal government to foster the preservation of our cultural resources in partnership with states, local governments, and private sector. In order to implement this policy, the Act created the National Register of Historic Places, composed of buildings, sites, structures, objects, and districts significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture.

The Vanderburgh County Interim Report of 1994 is summary of all historic properties within the county and represents an inventory of such properties for the purpose of locating, identifying, and evaluating cultural resources. Another responsibility is to ensure that historic properties are taken into consideration in planning and development through the environmental review process.

The Vanderburgh County Interim Report is used extensively by the the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology (DHPA)(State Historic Preservation Office) in administering the state and federal programs for historic preservation, particularly the environmental review process put into place by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, requiring the review of all federal projects potentially affecting historic resources.

DHPA uses the Vanderburgh County Interim report in the nomination process for the National Register of Historic Places. This report and the survey information contain herein is designed to indicate which properties are likely to be eligible for the National Register and to provide information that can be used in preparing nominations.

The Vanderburgh County Interim Report also serves to boost private citizens' awareness of the cultural heritage present in their own communities. Finally, the Interim report provides a permanent historical record of a county's resources at a particular point in time. All survey materials are made a part of the DHPA's archival records.