Ralph’s Donut Shop receiving local support to be added to the National Register for Historical Places.
The Cookeville Historic Zoning Commission approved the endorsement Tuesday night. Cookeville City Planner Christopher Phillips said Ralph’s has been serving the community to 1962.
“Ralph’s is a staple of Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland,” Phillips said. “I mean if you want a good donut you go to Ralph’s Donuts, and so Tech students and people traveling through everybody enjoys a good Ralph’s donut.”
According to the Tennessee Historical Commission if Ralph’s Donut Shop is added to the national register it would have protections from projects that may interfere with the property. It would also qualify for funding for any rehabilitation efforts should the property ever need it.
Phillips said in order for Ralph’s Donut Shop to be added to the list an endorsement was needed from the city. Phillips said being added to the national register has no downsides.
“There’s no special zoning for it and there’s no necessarily benefits for it other than bragging rights of being on the registry,” Phillips said. “There’s also no restrictions or limitations put on the building by being added to the registry.”
The State Review Board will consider adding Ralph’s Donut Shop to the National Register of Historical Places on May 16 at the Tennessee Historical Commission Office in Nashville.
