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National Register of Historic Places listings in Cass County, Nebraska facts for kids

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Map of Nebraska highlighting Cass County
Location of Cass County in Nebraska

This article tells you about the special places in Cass County, Nebraska that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This Register is like a national list of important buildings, sites, and objects that are worth saving because of their history.

In Cass County, Nebraska, there are 31 places on this list. One of them is even more special and is called a National Historic Landmark. These places help us learn about the past and understand how people lived and worked long ago in this part of the United States.


Exploring Cass County's Historic Places

Cass County is full of interesting historical spots! These places include old homes, schools, bridges, and even ancient sites where people lived thousands of years ago. Each one has a unique story to tell about Nebraska's past.

Ancient History: Archaeological Sites

Some of the oldest and most fascinating places on the Register are archaeological sites. These are spots where scientists have found clues about early human life.

Ashland Archeological Site

The Ashland Archeological Site is near Ashland. It's a place where archaeologists study how ancient people lived by looking at tools, pottery, and other items they left behind. It was added to the Register in 1975.

Theodore Davis Site

Another important archaeological site is the Theodore Davis Site near Weeping Water. Like the Ashland site, it helps us understand the lives of early inhabitants of the area. Its exact location is kept secret to protect it.

Walker Gilmore Site

The Walker Gilmore Site near Murray is so important that it's a National Historic Landmark. This means it's one of the most significant historical places in the entire country! It was listed way back in 1966.

Nehawka Flint Quarries

Near Nehawka, you'll find the Nehawka Flint Quarries. This was a place where ancient people dug for flint, a type of rock they used to make tools and weapons. It's a great example of how early humans used natural resources.

Historic Buildings: Homes, Schools, and More

Many buildings in Cass County are on the Register because of their unique architecture or the important people who lived or worked there.

The Elms: Home of a Famous Author

The Elms in Elmwood is a beautiful home that belonged to a famous author named Bess Streeter Aldrich. She wrote many popular books about life in the Midwest. This house was listed in 1977.

The Elms (Elmwood, NE) from W 2
The Elms, home of author Bess Streeter Aldrich.

Cass County Courthouse

The Cass County Courthouse in Plattsmouth is an important building for the county's government. It was built a long time ago and is a great example of the architecture from that period. It became a historic place in 1990.

Cass County, Nebraska courthouse from W 1
The Cass County Courthouse in Plattsmouth.

Manley School

The Manley School in Manley is a historic school building. It's part of a larger group of school buildings in Nebraska that are recognized for their historical importance. It was added to the Register in 2004.

Manley, Nebraska school from SW 1
The historic Manley School.

Nehawka Public Library

The Nehawka Public Library is another important community building. Located in Nehawka, this library has served its community for many years and was recognized as a historic place in 2002.

Nehawka Public Library from W 1
The Nehawka Public Library.

Union Jail

The Union Jail in Union is a small, historic jail building. It gives us a glimpse into how law and order were managed in smaller towns long ago. It was listed in 2006.

Union, Nebraska jail from SE 1
The old Union Jail.

Historic Districts and Bridges

Sometimes, not just one building, but a whole area or a large structure like a bridge, can be considered historically important.

Plattsmouth Main Street Historic District

The Plattsmouth Main Street Historic District includes a whole section of Main Street in Plattsmouth. This area has many old buildings that show what the town looked like in the past. It's a great place to imagine life from long ago. It was listed in 1985.

Plattsmouth, Nebraska 526-530 Main
Buildings in the Plattsmouth Main Street Historic District.

Weeping Water Historic District

The Weeping Water Historic District includes several important buildings in Weeping Water, such as the 1870 Congregational Church and the Heritage House Museum. These buildings together tell the story of the town's early days. It was listed in 1972.

Weeping Water Heritage House Museum from S 1
The Heritage House Museum in the Weeping Water Historic District.

Plattsmouth Bridge

The Plattsmouth Bridge carries U.S. Route 34 over the Missouri River. This bridge is not just a way to cross the river; it's also a historic engineering marvel. It connects Nebraska to Iowa and was listed in 1993.

Plattsmouth US34 x Missouri R. 1929 bridge from SW 2
The Plattsmouth Bridge over the Missouri River.

Other Notable Properties

Many other individual homes and farmsteads are also recognized for their historical value. These include:

  • The Paul Fitzgerald House in Louisville (2006)
  • The Paul Gering House in Plattsmouth (2006)
  • The Gibson House in Weeping Water (1986)
  • The James and Margaret Greer Farmstead in Alvo (2011)
  • The Kehlbeck Farmstead in Avoca (1985)
  • The Christian Kupke Farmstead in Murdock (2012)
  • The McLaughlin-Waugh-Dovey House in Plattsmouth (1980)
  • The Naomi Institute near Murray (1977)
  • The Capt. John O'Rourke House in Plattsmouth (2006)
  • The Glenn and Addie Perry Farmhouse in Plattsmouth (2006)
  • The Gottfried Gustav Pitz Barn in Plattsmouth (2012)
  • The Peter E. Ruffner House in Plattsmouth (2016)
  • The Snoke Farmstead near Eagle (1998)
  • The Young Cemetery Cabin in Plattsmouth (2004)

These places are all important parts of Cass County's story and are protected so future generations can learn from them.

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