National Register of Historic Places listings in Baltimore County, Maryland facts for kids
Did you know that many old and special places in Baltimore County, Maryland, are officially recognized for their history? This list is all about those amazing spots! These places are part of the National Register of Historic Places, which is like a special club for buildings, areas, and structures that are important to American history.
In Baltimore County, there are 89 different places on this list. Two of them are even more special and are called National Historic Landmarks. These landmarks are considered super important to the history of the entire United States! It's good to remember that Baltimore City is a separate place from Baltimore County, so its historic sites are on a different list.
Contents
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worth saving. It's managed by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. government. When a place is added to this list, it means it's recognized for its historical, architectural, archaeological, engineering, or cultural importance.
Why are places listed?
Places get listed for many reasons. Maybe a famous person lived there, or an important event happened there. Sometimes, a building is a great example of a certain style of architecture. Listing a place helps protect it and encourages people to learn about its past. It also helps preserve these sites for future generations to enjoy and learn from.
Types of historic places
The National Register includes many different kinds of places. You might find old houses, churches, schools, bridges, or even entire neighborhoods! Each one has a unique story to tell about how people lived, worked, and built communities long ago.
Exploring Historic Sites in Baltimore County
Baltimore County is home to a wide variety of historic places. Let's look at a few examples to see the different types of history you can find here.
Historic Homes and Mansions
Many grand old houses and estates are listed in Baltimore County. These homes often show us how people lived in the past, from their daily routines to their special events.
- Auburn House in Towson is a beautiful old home that tells a story of the past.
- Ballestone Mansion near Essex is another historic house, located in Rocky Point Park.
- Hampton National Historic Site in Towson is a very important place. It's a large estate with a mansion and gardens that show us what life was like on a grand property many years ago. It's one of the two National Historic Landmarks in the county!
Important Public Buildings
Public buildings like courthouses and jails also hold a lot of history. They show us how communities were governed and how laws were enforced.
- The Baltimore County Courthouse in Towson has been a center of justice for a long time.
- Right next door, the Baltimore County Jail also has a history of its own.
Schools and Colleges with History
Even schools can be historic! They represent the history of education and community development.
- Baltimore County School No. 7 in Cockeysville is an example of an old school building.
- Goucher College in Towson is a historic college campus, recognized for its unique architecture and history of education.
- Mount de Sales Academy in Catonsville is another historic school, showing the development of education in the area.
Historic Districts: Whole Neighborhoods with Stories
Sometimes, an entire area or neighborhood is listed as a "Historic District." This means that many buildings in that area together tell an important story.
- The Anneslie Historic District in Towson is a neighborhood with many historic homes.
- Dundalk Historic District is another example, showing how communities were planned and built.
- Old Catonsville Historic District and Central Catonsville and Summit Park Historic District in Catonsville preserve the unique character of these areas.
Unique Structures and Landmarks
Not all historic places are buildings. Some are bridges, lighthouses, or even old forts!
- The Craighill Channel Lower Range Front Light and other Craighill Channel lights are old lighthouses that helped guide ships.
- Fort Carroll is an old fort located in the Patapsco River, built to protect the harbor.
- The Jericho Covered Bridge near Kingsville is a beautiful old wooden bridge, a rare sight today.
- The Thomas Viaduct is a very old and impressive railroad bridge over the Patapsco River. It's the second National Historic Landmark in Baltimore County, famous for its engineering!
Former Listings
Sometimes, a place might be removed from the National Register. This can happen if the building is destroyed or if its historical importance changes.
- Belle Field in Timonium was once on the list but was later removed.