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National Register of Historic Places listings in Boyle County, Kentucky facts for kids

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Map of Kentucky highlighting Boyle County
Location of Boyle County in Kentucky

Boyle County, Kentucky, is home to many amazing places that are part of the National Register of Historic Places. This special list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is added to the National Register, it means it's recognized for its historical value and is often protected.

There are 98 different properties and areas in Boyle County that are on this list! Three of these are even more special: they are called National Historic Landmarks. This article will tell you about some of these fascinating historic spots in Boyle County.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is like a big official list of important historical sites in the United States. It's managed by the National Park Service. When a place is listed, it means it's worth saving and learning about because of its past. These places tell us stories about how people lived, what events happened, and how our country grew over time.

Being on the list can help protect these sites. It also makes people more aware of their history. Boyle County has a rich history, and many of its buildings and areas show us what life was like long ago.

Famous Landmarks in Boyle County

Boyle County has three places that are so important, they're called National Historic Landmarks (NHLs). These are the highest level of historical recognition in the U.S.

Jacobs Hall at Kentucky School for the Deaf

Jacobs Hall, Kentucky School for the Deaf, South Third Street, Danville (Boyle County, Kentucky)
Jacobs Hall, a National Historic Landmark.

Jacobs Hall is located on the campus of the Kentucky School for the Deaf in Danville. This school is one of the oldest schools for the deaf in the United States, founded in 1823. Jacobs Hall itself is a beautiful old building that has been a key part of the school's history. It was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1966. It represents the long effort to provide education for deaf students.

Dr. Ephraim McDowell House

Dr. Ephraim McDowell House, 125 South Second Street, Danville (Boyle County, Kentucky)
The Dr. Ephraim McDowell House, where a famous surgery took place.

The Dr. Ephraim McDowell House is in Danville. Dr. McDowell was a very important doctor in American history. In 1809, he performed the first successful surgery to remove an ovarian tumor. This was a huge medical breakthrough at the time! His house is now a museum where you can learn about his life and his amazing medical work. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1966.

Perryville Battlefield

PERRYVILLE BATTLEFIELD
A view of the historic Perryville Battlefield.

The Perryville Battlefield is west of Perryville. This site is where one of the most important battles of the American Civil War in Kentucky took place. The Battle of Perryville happened on October 8, 1862. It was the bloodiest battle fought in Kentucky. The battlefield is preserved so people can remember the soldiers and learn about this critical moment in American history. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966.

Other Cool Historic Spots

Beyond the National Historic Landmarks, Boyle County has many other interesting places on the National Register. These include old courthouses, churches, homes, and even entire historic neighborhoods.

Historic Buildings in Danville

Danville, the county seat, has many historic buildings.

  • Boyle County Courthouse: Located at Main and 4th Streets, this courthouse has been a central part of the community for a long time. It was listed in 1973.
  • Carnegie Library: Found on the Centre College campus, this old library building was supported by famous businessman Andrew Carnegie. It was added to the Register in 1986.
  • First Presbyterian Church: This beautiful church on West Main Street is another significant historic building in Danville, listed in 1986.
  • McClure-Barbee House: This historic home at 304 South 4th Street was listed in 1973.
  • Trinity Episcopal Church: Located at 320 West Main Street, this church is also recognized for its historical importance, listed in 1977.
  • Goodall Building: At 470 Stanford Road, this building was added to the Register in 2014.
  • St. James A.M.E. Church: This church at 124 East Walnut Street was listed in 2013.
  • Second Street Christian Church: Located at 228 South 2nd Street, this church was added in 2013.

Historic Districts

Some areas are so full of historic buildings that they are listed as entire "historic districts."

  • Constitution Square Historic District: This area in Danville, bounded by Main and Walnut Streets, and 1st and 2nd Streets, is where Kentucky's first constitution was written. It's a very important place for the state's history and was listed in 1976.
  • Danville Commercial District: This district includes many old shops and businesses in downtown Danville, showing how the town grew. It was listed in 1986.
  • East Main Street Historic District: This area has many homes built between 1890 and 1930, showing the architecture of that time. It was listed in 1986.
  • Perryville Historic District: This district in Perryville includes many historic buildings that tell the story of the town. It was listed in 1973.
  • Lexington Avenue-Broadway Historic District: This residential area in Danville was listed in 1987.
  • Maple Avenue District: Another historic residential area in Danville, listed in 1987.
  • Harrodsburg Pike Rural Historic District: This district shows the historic rural landscape and farms along a major road. It was listed in 1998.
  • Christopher Collins Moore Farm: This farm at 3901 Harrodsburg Road is a historic district itself, listed in 1994.
  • St. Mildred's Court-West Lexington Avenue Historic District: This residential district in Danville was listed in 1994.
  • Terrace Court Historic District: This district in Danville was listed in 2010.
  • Todd-Montgomery Houses: A group of historic houses on North 3rd Street in Danville, listed in 1976.
  • Three Gothic Villas: These unique houses northwest of Danville were listed in 1977.
  • Warehouse District: This area in Danville, at the intersection of Harding and West Walnut Streets, was important for trade and storage. It was listed in 1986.

Other Notable Sites

  • Confederate Monument in Danville: This monument at the junction of Main and College Streets remembers soldiers from the Civil War. It was listed in 1997.
  • Confederate Monument in Perryville: Another monument at the Perryville State Historic Site, listed in 1997.
  • Union Monument in Perryville: Also at the Perryville Battlefield, this monument honors Union soldiers. It was listed in 1997.
  • Danville National Cemetery: This cemetery at 277 North 1st Street is a burial ground for veterans and was listed in 1998.
  • Junction City Municipal Building: Built in 1939, this building at the junction of Shelby and Lucas Streets in Junction City was listed in 1998.
  • First Christian Church (Junction City): Located at the junction of Shelby and Cemetery Streets, this church was listed in 1998.
  • Rosel Hotel: This historic hotel in Junction City, at the junction of Shelby Street and White Oak Road, was listed in 1997.
  • Penn's Store: This unique store near Gravel Switch, on the Boyle-Casey County line, is a very old and historic general store. It was listed in 1998.
  • Forkland School and Gymnasium: This old school building near Gravel Switch was listed in 1998.
  • Cincinnati Southern Railroad Culvert-CSRR: This old railroad bridge over Mocks Branch near Danville was listed in 1998.
  • Clifton Road Culvert: Another historic culvert on Clifton Road, listed in 1997.
  • Mitchellsburg Louisville and Nashville Railroad Culvert: This railroad bridge over Buck Creek near Mitchellsburg was listed in 1998.
  • Stone Bridge at Chaplin Creek: This old stone bridge near Parksville was listed in 1998.
  • Tank Pond Railroad Underpass: This underpass near Mitchellsburg was listed in 1998.

These are just a few examples of the many historic places in Boyle County. Each one has a story to tell about the past and helps us understand the rich history of Kentucky.

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