National Register of Historic Places listings in Athens County, Ohio facts for kids
This page is a list of cool and important places in Athens County, Ohio, that are part of the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a special club for buildings, areas, and sites that have a lot of history!
The National Register of Historic Places is America's official list of places worth saving. These places show us what life was like long ago. In Athens County, there are 28 places on this list. One of them is even a National Historic Landmark, which is super important!
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Historic Buildings in Athens City
Athens, Ohio, has many old and interesting buildings that are part of the National Register.
Old Train Station and Downtown Gems
The Athens B & O Train Depot was once a busy train station for the B&O Railroad. This railroad helped people and goods travel across Athens County. It's a reminder of how people used to get around before cars were everywhere.
The Athens Downtown Historic District is a special area in the heart of Athens. It includes many old buildings on streets like Court, Carpenter, Union, Congress, and College. Walking through this district is like taking a step back in time!
The Athens Governmental Buildings include the main buildings where local government works. These buildings are on East State, East Washington, Court, and West Union Streets. They have been important centers for the community for many years.
Ohio University's Oldest Spots
The Manasseh Cutler Hall is the oldest building on the Ohio University campus. It's a very important landmark and faces the beautiful College Green. This building has seen generations of students learn and grow.
The Ohio University Campus Green Historic District is the original and oldest part of the university. For over 200 years, this area has been a central spot for learning and campus life. Cutler Hall is one of the main buildings here.
Other Notable Athens Buildings
The Beasley Building at 93 West Union Street is an old structure that has been given a new life. Today, it's known as Beasley Mills and provides apartments for people.
The Thomas Jefferson Herrold House and Store is an old building on West Washington Street. It was built when these streets had different names. It shows us what homes and shops looked like a long time ago.
The Mount Zion Baptist Church is a historic church on Congress and Carpenter Streets. It's a traditional church that has been a key part of the community on the edge of downtown Athens.
The Sheltering Arms Hospital started as a birthing center in a private home on Clark Street. It grew over time to include more buildings. Today, this historic structure has been turned into apartments.
Historic Sites Outside Athens City
Athens County has many other important historic places beyond the city limits.
Old Hospitals and Farms
The Athens County Infirmary is now known as "The County Farm" or "The County Home." It's located on State Route 13 in Dover Township. Today, it houses offices for Job & Family Services, helping people in the county.
The Athens Lunatic Asylum was once a large state mental hospital. It even had its own working farm! Today, this big property is owned by Ohio University and is known as The Ridges. It's a huge and interesting place with a lot of history.
The Athens State Hospital Cow Barn was part of the large farm at the Athens Lunatic Asylum. It's located southwest of Athens, off U.S. Route 33. Today, this old barn is known as the Dairy Barn and is used as an art gallery!
Covered Bridges
Athens County is home to some beautiful old covered bridges. These bridges were built to protect the wooden structure from the weather, helping them last longer.
The Blackwood Covered Bridge is south of Athens on County Road 46. It crosses the Shade River and is a lovely example of old bridge building.
The Kidwell Covered Bridge is about a mile north of Truetown. It's on Monserat Ridge Road, between Ohio State Route 685 and Ohio State Route 13.
The Palos Covered Bridge is about a mile north of Glouster, off State Route 13. It crosses Sunday Creek.
Nelsonville's Historic Heart
The Dew House in Nelsonville is located on Public Square. It's an important historic home in the area.
The Nelsonville Historic District is the main business area of Nelsonville. It includes streets like Canal, Jefferson, Scott, and Madison. This district is home to many historic buildings, including Stuart's Opera House.
Stuart's Opera House is a famous building in Nelsonville, located on Public Square and Washington Street. It has been renovated twice, even after a fire! Today, it's a lively place for plays, music, and other events.
Industrial and Rural History
The Hocking Valley Coal Company Town Historic District is in The Plains. It includes Jackson Drive and Arbor Drive. This area, now called Eclipse Village, was once a company town for coal miners. Today, it has offices, homes, and a gathering hall. The photo shows the restored company store.
The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway is a historic railway district that runs between Logan and Nelsonville. It even extends into Hocking County. This railway played a big role in transporting coal and goods in the past.
The Sunday Creek Coal Company Mine No. 6 is east of East Millfield. This site is famous for the Millfield Mine disaster, a very sad event in the area's mining history.
White's-Vale Mill is on State Route 682 in Athens Township. Today, this historic site is known as White's Mill and houses a nursery and a feed store.
Ancient Earthworks
Wolf Plains is a very old and important site near The Plains. It has a group of about 30 ancient earthworks, including 22 cone-shaped mounds and nine circular enclosures. These were built by the Adena culture many, many years ago. They show us how early people lived and built things in this area.
