National Register of Historic Places listings in Aitkin County, Minnesota facts for kids
This page lists special places in Aitkin County, Minnesota, that are on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important buildings, sites, and objects that are considered worth saving because of their history. The National Register helps protect these places so people can learn from them for many years.
There are 12 places in Aitkin County that are on this important list. You can even see some of these places on an online map if their exact location is shared.
Contents
- Historic Places in Aitkin County
- Aitkin Carnegie Library
- Aitkin County Courthouse and Jail
- The Andy Gibson Steamboat Wreck
- Arthyde Stone House
- Bethlehem Lutheran Church
- Patrick Casey House
- Malmo Mounds and Village Site
- National Woodenware Company Superintendent's Residence
- Northern Pacific Depot
- Pine-Hickory Lakes Roadside Parking Area
- Potter/Casey Company Building
- Savanna Portage
- Images for kids
Historic Places in Aitkin County
Aitkin Carnegie Library
The Aitkin Carnegie Library was built in 1911. It's a great example of a Carnegie library, which means it was built with money donated by a very rich businessman named Andrew Carnegie. He helped build thousands of libraries across the United States. This library also shows off a fancy building style called Neoclassical architecture, which looks a bit like ancient Greek or Roman buildings.
Aitkin County Courthouse and Jail
The Aitkin County Courthouse and Jail are important buildings where the county government works. The jail was built in 1915, and the courthouse was finished in 1920. The courthouse is a good example of the Beaux-Arts architecture style, which was popular for grand public buildings in the early 1900s.
The Andy Gibson Steamboat Wreck
The Andy Gibson was a steamboat launched in 1884. It traveled on the Mississippi River near Aitkin. Today, its remains are a rare and well-preserved shipwreck. What makes it extra special is that it's still resting on the drydock cradle it was placed on in 1894. This is very unusual for shipwrecks in the United States.
Arthyde Stone House
This unique house, built around 1922, is made of fieldstone. It's located in Arthyde, which was a small settlement that didn't last very long. The house reminds us of a time when people tried to start new towns in northern Minnesota, especially during the 1920s, but many of those plans didn't work out.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
This church was built in 1897. It's important because it shows the history of the Swedish American people who lived in the southwest part of Aitkin County. Many Swedish immigrants settled here and built communities, and this church was a central part of their lives.
Patrick Casey House
The Patrick Casey House was built in 1901. It belonged to a very important local businessman named Patrick Casey. The house combines two building styles: Queen Anne and Classical Revival. It's considered one of the most interesting and well-designed homes in northern Minnesota, outside of bigger cities like Duluth.
Malmo Mounds and Village Site
This site includes an ancient village and about 72 mounds. These mounds were built by people living in the area during the early Woodland period of history. It's a very important place for archaeologists to learn about the early people who lived in this region.
National Woodenware Company Superintendent's Residence
This house was built in 1910 for the manager of the National Woodenware Company. This company was a big employer and helped develop Hill City between 1910 and 1928. The house is one of the main remaining parts of that important company.
Northern Pacific Depot
The Northern Pacific Depot is an old train station built between 1915 and 1916. Train stations were very important for towns like Aitkin because they helped people and goods travel. This station shows how important the railroad was for Aitkin's start and growth. Today, it's home to a museum run by the Aitkin County Historical Society.
Pine-Hickory Lakes Roadside Parking Area
This roadside park was built between 1937 and 1938. It's a great example of the early parks built along highways in Minnesota during a time called the New Deal. The park's design is also special because it uses a natural, rustic style that blends in with the environment, similar to designs used by the National Park Service.
Potter/Casey Company Building
The Potter/Casey Company Building is a commercial building constructed in 1902. It was built for the most important store in Aitkin County at the time. This building shows the history of business and trade in the area.
Savanna Portage
Savanna Portage is a historic trail that is about 6 miles (10 kilometers) long. It was a very important and difficult path that connected the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River basins. Native Americans first used this trail, and later it was used by fur traders and early settlers. It helped people travel between these two major water systems.
Images for kids
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Location of Aitkin County in Minnesota
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The Aitkin Carnegie Library
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The Aitkin County Courthouse
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The site of the Andy Gibson shipwreck
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The unique Arthyde Stone House
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Bethlehem Lutheran Church
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The historic Patrick Casey House
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The Malmo Mounds and Village Site is a protected area.
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The old Northern Pacific Depot in Aitkin
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The Pine-Hickory Lakes Roadside Parking Area
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The historic Potter/Casey Company Building
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A sign marking the historic Savanna Portage
