National Register of Historic Places listings in Boyd County, Kentucky facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about the oldest and most special buildings or places in your community? In Boyd County, Kentucky, there are many such places! This article is a list of historic sites in Boyd County that are part of the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a special list kept by the United States government to recognize important historical buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts.
These places are chosen because they tell important stories about the past. They might be old homes, schools, churches, or even parks. By being on this list, these places get special recognition and sometimes help to protect them for future generations. In Boyd County, there are 26 places currently on this list. Two other places were once listed but have since been removed.
Discovering Boyd County's Historic Treasures
Boyd County is home to many fascinating places that have been officially recognized for their historical importance. These sites help us understand what life was like long ago and how our communities grew. Let's explore some of these amazing locations!
Historic Buildings in Ashland
Ashland, a city in Boyd County, has many buildings on the National Register. These buildings show different styles of architecture and tell stories of the people who lived and worked there.
Ashland Armory: A Place for Training
The Ashland Armory is a large building located at 2519 Lexington Avenue. It was built to serve as a training center for the military. It was added to the National Register in 2002. This building is a great example of how communities supported their local defense forces.
Old Railroad Offices and Stores
The Ashland Coal and Iron Railroad Office and the Ashland Coal and Iron Railroad Store are two important buildings. They are located on Front Street in Ashland. These buildings were key to the railroad and coal industries. These industries helped Ashland grow a lot in the past. They were added to the list in 1979.
Ashland Commercial Historic District: A Busy Area
The Ashland Commercial Historic District is not just one building. It's a whole area of Ashland that includes many historic shops and businesses. This district is roughly bounded by 13th Street, Carter Avenue, 18th Street, and Front Street. It was added to the list in 1994. This area shows how Ashland's downtown looked and functioned in earlier times.
Ashland Tuberculosis Hospital: A Place of Healing
The Ashland Tuberculosis Hospital is located at 3700 Landsdowne Drive. It was built to help people who were sick with tuberculosis. This hospital played an important role in public health for many years. It was added to the National Register in 2008.
Historic Homes in Ashland
Several beautiful old homes in Ashland are also on the list. These include the Alexander Bagby House (1520 Lexington Avenue), the Culbertson House (1520 Chestnut Drive), the Martin Hilton House (1314 Hilton Court), and the Lon Rogers House (2008 Lexington Avenue). These homes were built by important families in Ashland's history. They show us the architectural styles popular in their time.
Bath Avenue Historic District: A Neighborhood's Past
Similar to the commercial district, the Bath Avenue Historic District is a neighborhood area. It includes homes and buildings along Bath Avenue from 13th to 17th Streets. This district gives us a glimpse into how residential areas in Ashland developed. It was listed in 1979.
Henry Clay Hotel: A Grand Old Hotel
The Henry Clay Hotel at 1736 Winchester Avenue was once a very important hotel in Ashland. Hotels like this were central to travel and business in the past. It was added to the list in 1984.
Crump and Field Grocery Company: A Business Hub
The building at 1401-1405 Greenup Avenue housed the Crump and Field Grocery Company. This was an important business that supplied goods to the community. It was listed in 1979.
Nando Felty Saloon and Jacob Savageot House and Saloon: Old Gathering Spots
The Nando Felty Saloon (1500 Front Street) and the Jacob Savageot House and Saloon (1512 Front Street) were places where people gathered. Saloons were common social spots in the past. These buildings were listed in 1979.
Timothy Fields House: Another Historic Residence
The Timothy Fields House at 1600 Central Avenue is another historic home in Ashland. It was added to the National Register in 1979.
First Christian Church and First Presbyterian Church: Places of Worship
Ashland has two historic churches on the list: the First Christian Church of Ashland (315 17th Street, listed 1990) and the First Presbyterian Church (1600 Winchester Avenue, listed 1973). These churches have been important centers for faith and community life for many years.
Paramount Arts Center: A Place for Entertainment
The Paramount Arts Center, originally known as the Paramount Theatre, is located at 1304 Winchester Avenue. This beautiful building was once a grand movie theater. Today, it hosts many live performances and events. It was listed in 1975.
St. James AME Church: A Community Landmark
The St. James AME Church at 12th Street and Carter Avenue is another significant church in Ashland. It has served its community for a long time. It was added to the National Register in 1979.
U.S. Post Office-Ashland: Sending Letters Through Time
The former US Post Office-Ashland building at 1645 Winchester Avenue is also on the list. Post offices were vital for communication in the past. This building was listed in 1988.
Historic Sites in Catlettsburg
Catlettsburg, another city in Boyd County, also has its share of historic places.
Catlett House: An Early Home
The Catlett House at 25th and Walnut Streets in Catlettsburg is a very old and important home. It was listed in 1973.
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Depot: A Train Station's Story
The Catlettsburg, Kentucky, Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Depot is located at the junction of Division (26th) and Panola Streets. Train depots were busy places where people traveled and goods were shipped. This depot was listed in 2012.
Catlettsburg National Bank: A Financial Landmark
The Catlettsburg National Bank at 110 26th Street was an important financial building in the city. It was listed in 1973.
First United Methodist Church (Catlettsburg): A Place of Faith
The First United Methodist Church at 2712 Louisa Street in Catlettsburg is another historic church. It was added to the National Register in 1974.
Ancient Mounds: Traces of Early People
Boyd County is also home to ancient sites that tell us about the very first people who lived here.
Indian Mounds in Central Park
In Ashland's Central Park, there are Indian Mounds. These are ancient earthworks built by Native American people long ago. They are a very important archaeological site. They were listed in 1974.
Stone Serpent Mound: A Mysterious Shape
The Stone Serpent Mound is located west of the Big Sandy River, south of Catlettsburg. This is another ancient earthwork, shaped like a serpent. It's a mysterious and fascinating site that shows the creativity of early inhabitants. It was listed in 1974.
Places No Longer on the List
Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This can happen if the building is changed too much, or if it is unfortunately destroyed. In Boyd County, two places were once listed but are no longer on the Register:
- The Edward Poage House in Ashland (1016 Winchester Avenue) was removed in 1988.
- The Valdenar-Wheeler House in Ashland (2417 Winchester Avenue) was also removed in 1988.
These lists help us remember and appreciate the rich history of Boyd County and the important stories its buildings and sites have to tell.
