function / agriculture/subsistence
function / commerce/trade
function / culture and recreation
function / defense
function / domestic
function / education
function / funerary
function / government
function / health care
function / industry/processing/extraction
function / recreation/culture
function / religion
function / social
function / transportation
Also see Architecture index.
Function (from National Park Service)
| Category | Subcategory | Examples |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | agricultural field | crop marks |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | agricultural field | farms |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | agricultural field | hedgerow |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | agricultural field | orchard |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | agricultural field | pasture |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | agricultural field | stone alignments |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | agricultural field | terrace |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | agricultural field | vineyard |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | agricultural field | wheatfield |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | agricultural outbuilding | barn |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | agricultural outbuilding | tool shed |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | agricultural outbuilding | wagon shed |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | agricultural outbuilding | wellhouse |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | animal facility | apiary |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | animal facility | barn |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | animal facility | chicken coop |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | animal facility | hunting & kill site |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | animal facility | hunting corral |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | animal facility | hunting run |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | animal facility | ranches |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | animal facility | stockyard |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | fishing facility or site | fish hatchery |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | fishing facility or site | fishing grounds |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | horticultural facility | garden |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | horticultural facility | greenhouse |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | horticultural facility | plant observatory |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | irrigation facility | canals |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | irrigation facility | check dams |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | irrigation facility | headgates |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | irrigation facility | irrigation system |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | irrigation facility | stone alignments |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | processing | brewery |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | processing | cannery |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | processing | food processing site |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | processing | gathering site |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | processing | meatpacking plant |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | processing | smokehouse |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | processing | tobacco barn |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | processing | winery |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | storage | cotton warehouse |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | storage | granary |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | storage | silo |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | storage | storage site |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | storage | tobacco warehouse |
| AGRICULTURE/SUBSISTENCE | storage | wine cellar |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | business | commercial buildings |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | business | main streets |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | business | markets |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | business | office building |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | business | skyscrapers |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | department store | department store |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | department store | general store |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | department store | marketplace |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | department store | trading post |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | financial institution | bank |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | financial institution | savings and loan association |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | financial institution | stock exchange |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | organizational | labor union |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | organizational | professional association |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | organizational | trade union |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | professional | architect’s studio |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | professional | engineering office |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | professional | law office |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | restaurant | bar |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | restaurant | café |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | restaurant | diners |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | restaurant | drive-ins |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | restaurant | roadhouse |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | restaurant | tavern |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | specialty store | auto showroom |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | specialty store | bakery |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | specialty store | blacksmith shop |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | specialty store | clothing store |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | specialty store | hardware store |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | trade (archeology) | cache |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | trade (archeology) | site with evidence of trade |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | trade (archeology) | storage pit |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | warehouse | commercial storage |
| COMMERCE/TRADE | warehouse | warehouse |
| DEFENSE | air facility | air base |
| DEFENSE | air facility | aircraft |
| DEFENSE | air facility | missile launching site |
| DEFENSE | arms storage | armory |
| DEFENSE | arms storage | magazine |
| DEFENSE | battle site | battlefield |
| DEFENSE | coast guard facility | coast guard station |
| DEFENSE | coast guard facility | dock |
| DEFENSE | coast guard facility | life-saving station |
| DEFENSE | coast guard facility | lighthouse |
| DEFENSE | coast guard facility | pier |
| DEFENSE | fortification | battery |
| DEFENSE | fortification | bunker |
| DEFENSE | fortification | earth fortified village |
| DEFENSE | fortification | fortified knoll or mountain top |
| DEFENSE | fortification | fortified military or naval post |
| DEFENSE | fortification | palisaded village |
| DEFENSE | military facility | barrack |
| DEFENSE | military facility | garrison fort |
| DEFENSE | military facility | military camp |
| DEFENSE | military facility | military post |
| DEFENSE | military facility | supply depot |
| DEFENSE | naval facility | aircraft carrier |
| DEFENSE | naval facility | battleship |
| DEFENSE | naval facility | naval base |
| DEFENSE | naval facility | submarine |
| DOMESTIC | camp | fishing camp |
| DOMESTIC | camp | forestry camp |
| DOMESTIC | camp | habitation site |
| DOMESTIC | camp | hunting campsite |
| DOMESTIC | camp | seasonal residence |
| DOMESTIC | camp | summer camp |
| DOMESTIC | camp | temporary |
| DOMESTIC | camp | tipi rings |
| DOMESTIC | hotel | hotel |
| DOMESTIC | hotel | inn |
| DOMESTIC | hotel | motel |
| DOMESTIC | hotel | way station |
| DOMESTIC | institutional housing | castles |
| DOMESTIC | institutional housing | estates |
| DOMESTIC | institutional housing | military quarters |
| DOMESTIC | institutional housing | orphanage |
| DOMESTIC | institutional housing | palaces |
| DOMESTIC | institutional housing | poor house |
| DOMESTIC | institutional housing | staff housing |
| DOMESTIC | multiple dwelling | apartment building |
| DOMESTIC | multiple dwelling | black settlements |
| DOMESTIC | multiple dwelling | cave |
| DOMESTIC | multiple dwelling | duplex |
| DOMESTIC | multiple dwelling | indian settlements |
| DOMESTIC | multiple dwelling | multi-family housing |
| DOMESTIC | multiple dwelling | pueblo |
| DOMESTIC | multiple dwelling | rockshelter |
| DOMESTIC | multiple dwelling | suburbs |
| DOMESTIC | secondary structure | dairy |
| DOMESTIC | secondary structure | garage |
| DOMESTIC | secondary structure | kitchen |
| DOMESTIC | secondary structure | other dependencies |
| DOMESTIC | secondary structure | smokehouse |
| DOMESTIC | secondary structure | storage pit |
| DOMESTIC | secondary structure | storage shed |
| DOMESTIC | single dwelling | cave |
| DOMESTIC | single dwelling | homestead |
| DOMESTIC | single dwelling | houses |
| DOMESTIC | single dwelling | houses of architects |
| DOMESTIC | single dwelling | houses, large & small |
| DOMESTIC | single dwelling | large houses |
| DOMESTIC | single dwelling | mansion |
| DOMESTIC | single dwelling | residence |
| DOMESTIC | single dwelling | rockshelter |
| DOMESTIC | single dwelling | rowhouse |
| DOMESTIC | single dwelling | small houses |
| DOMESTIC | single dwelling | villas |
| DOMESTIC | village site | pueblo group |
| EDUCATION | college | college |
| EDUCATION | college | junior college |
| EDUCATION | college | university |
| EDUCATION | education-related | college dormitory |
| EDUCATION | education-related | housing at boarding schools |
| EDUCATION | library | library |
| EDUCATION | research facility | laboratory |
| EDUCATION | research facility | observatory |
| EDUCATION | research facility | planetarium |
| EDUCATION | schools | academy |
| EDUCATION | schools | grammar school |
| EDUCATION | schools | school and academic |
| EDUCATION | schools | school and academic |
| EDUCATION | schools | schoolhouse |
| EDUCATION | schools | secondary school |
| EDUCATION | schools | trade or technical school |
| FUNERARY | cemetery | burial site |
| FUNERARY | cemetery | burying ground |
| FUNERARY | cemetery | cemetery |
| FUNERARY | cemetery | ossuary |
| FUNERARY | graves/burials | burial cache |
| FUNERARY | graves/burials | burial mound |
| FUNERARY | graves/burials | crematorium |
| FUNERARY | graves/burials | grave area |
| FUNERARY | mortuary | cremation |
| FUNERARY | mortuary | funeral home |
| FUNERARY | mortuary | mortuary site |
| GOVERNMENT | capitol | assembly building |
| GOVERNMENT | capitol | statehouse |
| GOVERNMENT | city hall | city hall |
| GOVERNMENT | city hall | town hall |
| GOVERNMENT | correctional facility | jail |
| GOVERNMENT | correctional facility | police station |
| GOVERNMENT | correctional facility | prison |
| GOVERNMENT | courthouse | county courthouse |
| GOVERNMENT | courthouse | Federal courthouse |
| GOVERNMENT | custom house | custom house |
| GOVERNMENT | diplomatic building | consulate |
| GOVERNMENT | diplomatic building | embassy |
| GOVERNMENT | fire station | firehouse |
| GOVERNMENT | government office | government buildings |
| GOVERNMENT | government office | government buildings |
| GOVERNMENT | government office | municipal building |
| GOVERNMENT | post office | post office |
| GOVERNMENT | public works | electric generating plant |
| GOVERNMENT | public works | sewer system |
| HEALTH CARE | clinic | dispensary |
| HEALTH CARE | clinic | doctor’s office |
| HEALTH CARE | hospital | hospitals |
| HEALTH CARE | hospital | medical research facility |
| HEALTH CARE | hospital | mental hospital |
| HEALTH CARE | hospital | private or public hospital |
| HEALTH CARE | hospital | veteran’s medical center |
| HEALTH CARE | medical business/office | doctor or dentist’s office |
| HEALTH CARE | medical business/office | medical supply store |
| HEALTH CARE | medical business/office | pharmacy |
| HEALTH CARE | resort | baths |
| HEALTH CARE | resort | resort facility |
| HEALTH CARE | resort | spas |
| HEALTH CARE | sanitarium | nursing home |
| HEALTH CARE | sanitarium | rest home |
| HEALTH CARE | sanitarium | sanitarium |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | communications facility | printing plant |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | communications facility | satellite tracking station |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | communications facility | telegraph cable station |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | communications facility | telephone company facility |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | communications facility | television station |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | energy facility | hydroelectric dam |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | energy facility | power plant |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | energy facility | windmill |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | extractive facility | coal mine |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | extractive facility | gold dredge |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | extractive facility | oil derrick |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | extractive facility | quarry |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | extractive facility | salt mine |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | industrial storage | warehouse |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | manufacturing facility | factory |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | manufacturing facility | mill |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | manufacturing facility | pottery kiln |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | manufacturing facility | processing plant |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | manufacturing facility | refinery |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | processing site | copper mining and processing site |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | processing site | shell processing site |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | processing site | toolmaking site |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | waterworks | canal |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | waterworks | dam |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | waterworks | reservoir |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | waterworks | water tower |
| INDUSTRY/PROCESSING/EXTRACTION | industrial structures | |
| LANDSCAPE | conservation area | ecological habitat |
| LANDSCAPE | conservation area | wildlife refuge |
| LANDSCAPE | forest | forest |
| LANDSCAPE | garden | garden |
| LANDSCAPE | natural feature | island |
| LANDSCAPE | natural feature | lake |
| LANDSCAPE | natural feature | mountain |
| LANDSCAPE | natural feature | pond |
| LANDSCAPE | natural feature | promontory |
| LANDSCAPE | natural feature | river |
| LANDSCAPE | natural feature | tree |
| LANDSCAPE | natural feature | valley |
| LANDSCAPE | park | city park |
| LANDSCAPE | park | national park |
| LANDSCAPE | park | State park |
| LANDSCAPE | parking lot | parking lot |
| LANDSCAPE | plaza | green |
| LANDSCAPE | plaza | plaza |
| LANDSCAPE | plaza | public common |
| LANDSCAPE | plaza | square |
| LANDSCAPE | street furniture/object | fence |
| LANDSCAPE | street furniture/object | gazebo |
| LANDSCAPE | street furniture/object | park bench |
| LANDSCAPE | street furniture/object | shelter |
| LANDSCAPE | street furniture/object | street light |
| LANDSCAPE | street furniture/object | wall |
| LANDSCAPE | underwater | underwater site |
| LANDSCAPE | unoccupied land | desert |
| LANDSCAPE | unoccupied land | meadow |
| LANDSCAPE | unoccupied land | swamp |
| LANDSCAPE | ducks and decorated sheds | |
| LANDSCAPE | landscapes | |
| LANDSCAPE | town and city | |
| LANDSCAPE | vernacular buildings | |
| OTHER | ||
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | auditorium | auditorium |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | auditorium | hall |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | fair | amusement park |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | fair | county fairground |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | monument/marker | commemorative marker |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | monument/marker | commemorative monument |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | museum | art gallery |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | museum | exhibition hall |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | museum | museum |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | music facility | bandstand |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | music facility | concert-hall |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | music facility | dancehall |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | music facility | opera house |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | outdoor recreation | campground |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | outdoor recreation | hiking trail |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | outdoor recreation | park |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | outdoor recreation | picnic area |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | outdoor recreation | zoos |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | theater | cinema |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | theater | movie theater |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | theater | playhouse |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | theater | theaters |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | work of art | carving |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | work of art | mural |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | work of art | rock art |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | work of art | sculpture |
| RECREATION AND CULTURE | work of art | statue |
| RELIGION | ceremonial site | astronomical observation post |
| RELIGION | ceremonial site | intaglio |
| RELIGION | ceremonial site | petroglyph site |
| RELIGION | church school | religious academy or schools |
| RELIGION | church-related residence | convent |
| RELIGION | church-related residence | monasteries |
| RELIGION | church-related residence | parsonage |
| RELIGION | church-related residence | rectory |
| RELIGION | religious facility | cathedral |
| RELIGION | religious facility | church |
| RELIGION | religious facility | dance court |
| RELIGION | religious facility | kiva |
| RELIGION | religious facility | mission |
| RELIGION | religious facility | mosques |
| RELIGION | religious facility | mound |
| RELIGION | religious facility | religious architecture |
| RELIGION | religious facility | shrine |
| RELIGION | religious facility | sweathouse |
| RELIGION | religious facility | synagogue |
| RELIGION | religious facility | temple |
| RELIGION | religious facility | temple |
| SOCIAL | civic | facility of volunteer or public service organizations such as the American Red Cross |
| SOCIAL | clubhouse | facility of literary, social, or garden club |
| SOCIAL | meeting hall | communal societies |
| SOCIAL | meeting hall | grange |
| SOCIAL | meeting hall | hall of other fraternal, patriotic, or political organization |
| SOCIAL | meeting hall | Pioneer hall |
| SOCIAL | meeting hall | union hall |
| TRANSPORTATION | air-related | aircraft |
| TRANSPORTATION | air-related | airplane hangar |
| TRANSPORTATION | air-related | airport |
| TRANSPORTATION | air-related | launching site |
| TRANSPORTATION | pedestrian-related | boardwalk |
| TRANSPORTATION | pedestrian-related | trail |
| TRANSPORTATION | pedestrian-related | walkway |
| TRANSPORTATION | rail-related | locomotive |
| TRANSPORTATION | rail-related | railroad |
| TRANSPORTATION | rail-related | railroad bridge |
| TRANSPORTATION | rail-related | railroad stations |
| TRANSPORTATION | rail-related | streetcar line |
| TRANSPORTATION | rail-related | train depot |
| TRANSPORTATION | road-related (vehicular) | bridge |
| TRANSPORTATION | road-related (vehicular) | gas stations |
| TRANSPORTATION | road-related (vehicular) | highway |
| TRANSPORTATION | road-related (vehicular) | parking garage |
| TRANSPORTATION | road-related (vehicular) | parkway |
| TRANSPORTATION | road-related (vehicular) | toll gate |
| TRANSPORTATION | water-related | boat |
| TRANSPORTATION | water-related | canal |
| TRANSPORTATION | water-related | lighthouse |
| TRANSPORTATION | water-related | navigational aid |
| TRANSPORTATION | water-related | ship |
| TRANSPORTATION | water-related | Shipwreck |
| TRANSPORTATION | water-related | wharf |
| UNKNOWN | ||
| VACANT/NOT IN USE (use this category when property is not being used) | ||
| WORK IN PROGRESS (use this category when work is in progress) | ||
Sources
U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. III. COMPLETING THE NATIONAL REGISTER REGISTRATION FORM. Accessed August 6, 2017.
Maddex, Diane. Built in the U.S.A.: American Buildings from Airports to Zoos. 1985.
Great Buildings. http://www.greatbuildings.com/types.html. Last accessed August 6, 2017.