National Register of Historic Places listings in Adams County, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Adams County, Pennsylvania, is home to many important historical places! These special spots are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a national list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.
When a place is added to this list, it means it's recognized for its unique story and value. It also helps protect these places for future generations. In Adams County, there are 35 places on this list. Two of them are even more special: one is a National Historic Site and another is a National Military Park.
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the United States' historic places worthy of preservation. It's managed by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. government.
Why are places listed?
Places are listed for many reasons. They might be:
- Where important events happened.
- Connected to famous people.
- Great examples of a certain type of building or design.
- Places that can teach us a lot about the past.
Listing a place helps people understand its importance and encourages its protection. It also means these places might get special grants or tax benefits to help keep them in good shape.
Famous Historic Places in Adams County
Adams County is especially famous for its role in the American Civil War. Many of its listed places are connected to this time.
Gettysburg National Military Park
The Gettysburg National Military Park is one of the most famous places in Adams County. It protects the historic battlefield where the Battle of Gettysburg took place in July 1863. This battle was a major turning point in the Civil War.
Thousands of soldiers fought here, and the park now has many monuments, markers, and preserved land. It helps visitors understand the sacrifices made during the war. It's a very important place for learning about American history.
Eisenhower National Historic Site
Close to the Gettysburg battlefield is the Eisenhower National Historic Site. This was the farm and home of Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was a famous general in World War II and later the 34th President of the United States.
You can visit his home and farm, which looks much like it did when he lived there. It's a great way to learn about his life and the important decisions he made as president.
Gettysburg Battlefield Historic District
This district includes the town of Gettysburg and the areas around it where the battle happened. It's a larger area that covers many important parts of the battlefield and the town itself.
It helps protect the historic feel of the area, making sure that future generations can experience it as it was during the Civil War.
Adams County Courthouse
Located in Gettysburg, the Adams County Courthouse is an important building. It's where local government and legal matters have been handled for many years. Courthouses often have interesting architecture and play a big role in a community's history.
Dobbin House Tavern
The Dobbin House Tavern in Gettysburg is one of the oldest buildings in the town. It was built in 1776, the same year the Declaration of Independence was signed! It served as a tavern, a place where travelers could eat, drink, and stay. It's a great example of early American architecture.
Conewago Chapel
The Conewago Chapel is a beautiful and historic church located northwest of Hanover. It's one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in Pennsylvania. Its history goes back to the 18th century, showing the early religious life in the area.
Historic Bridges
Adams County also has several historic bridges on the Register:
- Bridge in Cumberland Township: This bridge crosses Marsh Creek.
- Heikes Covered Bridge: A classic covered bridge north of Heidlersburg.
- Jacks Mountain Covered Bridge: Another charming covered bridge southwest of Fairfield.
- John's Burnt Mill Bridge: Located southwest of New Oxford.
- Pond Mill Bridge: This bridge crosses Bermudian Creek.
- Sauck's Covered Bridge: Also known as Sachs Covered Bridge, it's famous for its role during the Battle of Gettysburg.
These bridges are important examples of old engineering and how people traveled and connected communities long ago.
Other Notable Places
Many other places in Adams County are recognized for their historical value:
- John Abbott House: An old house in Abbottstown.
- Black Horse Tavern: A historic tavern west of Gettysburg.
- Carbaugh Run Rhyolite Quarry Site: An archaeological site where ancient tools were made.
- Cline's Church of the United Brethren in Christ: A historic church near Menallen.
- East Berlin Historic District: A part of East Berlin with many old buildings.
- Fairfield Historic District: A historic area in Fairfield.
- Fairfield Inn: A historic inn in Fairfield.
- Gettysburg Armory: An old military building in Gettysburg.
- Great Conewago Presbyterian Church: A historic church near Hunterstown.
- Horner House and Barn: A historic farm in Cumberland Township.
- Hunterstown Historic District: A historic area in Hunterstown.
- Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church: A historic church southeast of Orrtanna.
- Lutheran Theological Seminary-Old Dorm (Schmucker Hall): An old building on the seminary campus in Gettysburg.
- Jacob and Juliana Middlekauff House: A historic house in Franklin Township.
- Pennsylvania Hall, Gettysburg College: A main building on the Gettysburg College campus.
- Pleasant Grove School: An old school building in Mount Joy Township.
- Rock Creek-White Run Union Hospital Complex: An area related to Civil War field hospitals.
- Sheads House: A historic house in Gettysburg.
- Spangler-Benner Farm: A historic farm near Gettysburg.
- Thomas Brothers Store: A historic store in Biglerville.
- Wirts House: A historic house near Gettysburg.
- John Zeigler Farm House: A historic farm house near York Springs.
These places all tell a part of Adams County's rich history, from early settlements to important events like the Civil War.
Images for kids
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The John Abbott House.
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The Black Horse Tavern.
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The Bridge in Cumberland Township.
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Cline's Church of the United Brethren in Christ.
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A log cabin in the East Berlin Historic District.
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A building in the Fairfield Historic District.
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The Fairfield Inn.
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The Gettysburg Armory.
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The Great Conewago Presbyterian Church.
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The Heikes Covered Bridge.
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The Horner House and Barn.
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A building in the Hunterstown Historic District.
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The Jacks Mountain Covered Bridge.
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John's Burnt Mill Bridge.
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The Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church.
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Schmucker Hall at the Lutheran Theological Seminary.
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Pennsylvania Hall at Gettysburg College.
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The classroom inside Pleasant Grove School.
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The Pond Mill Bridge.
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A field hospital site in the Rock Creek-White Run Union Hospital Complex.
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Sauck's Covered Bridge.
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The Sheads House.
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The Spangler-Benner Farm.
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The Thomas Brothers Store.
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The Wirts House.
