National Register of Historic Places listings in Buffalo National River facts for kids
The Buffalo National River in Arkansas, United States, is a special place, and it was the first national river to be protected in the country! It's known for its beautiful scenery, clear water, and fun outdoor activities like canoeing and hiking.
But did you know it's also home to some really old and important places? These places are so special that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a national list of buildings, sites, and districts that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its value and efforts are made to protect it.
There are eight amazing places within the Buffalo National River that are on this special list. Let's explore some of them!
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Special Places in Buffalo National River
Big Buffalo Valley Historic District
The Big Buffalo Valley Historic District is located near Ponca. It was added to the National Register on July 29, 1987. A historic district means it's not just one building, but a whole area with many important old buildings and features. This district helps us understand how people lived and worked in this beautiful valley a long time ago. It's like a living museum!
Buffalo River Bridge
The Buffalo River Bridge is a historic bridge that crosses the Buffalo National River on Highway 7 near Pruitt. It was listed on April 9, 1990. Bridges are important because they connect places and show us how people built things in the past. This bridge is a cool example of older engineering.
Buffalo River State Park
Even though it's now part of the National River, the area that was once Buffalo River State Park is also a historic site. It's located near Yellville and was added to the list on October 20, 1988. This park was one of the first state parks in Arkansas, and it played a big role in protecting the river before it became a national park.
Cold Springs School
The Cold Springs School is an old school building found in Cold Spring Hollow, just east of the Buffalo National River, near Big Flat. It became a historic place on October 29, 1992. Imagine kids going to school here many years ago! This building helps us remember what education was like in rural areas.
Flowers Cabin
The Flowers Cabin is a historic cabin located within the Buffalo National River, south of the Compton Trailhead near Compton. It was added to the National Register on January 6, 2021, making it one of the newer listings. Old cabins like this tell us about the early settlers and pioneers who lived in this rugged area.
Parker-Hickman Farm Historic District
Another historic district, the Parker-Hickman Farm Historic District, is located near Erbie within the Buffalo National River. It was listed on August 11, 1987. This district includes an old farm, showing us how farming families lived and worked in the Ozarks. It's a great example of pioneer life.
Rush Historic District
The Rush Historic District is found on Rush Road, near Yellville. It was added to the National Register on February 27, 1987. This area was once a busy mining town, especially for zinc. The district preserves the remains of the mines and buildings, telling the story of a time when mining was a big industry here.
Villines Mill
The Villines Mill is an old mill located north of Boxley on Highway 43, near Boxley. It was listed on July 31, 1974. Mills were very important in the past because they ground grain into flour, which was a basic food for everyone. This mill shows us how people used the power of the river to help their communities.
