National Register of Historic Places listings in Champaign County, Ohio facts for kids
Welcome to Champaign County, Ohio! Did you know that many buildings and places here are super old and important? They are so special that they are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a special hall of fame for historic sites across the United States.
When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its history, amazing architecture, or for being connected to important events or people. In Champaign County, there are 34 places on this list, and each one tells a unique story about the past!
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. Being on the Register helps protect these places and makes people more aware of their importance. It's like giving a medal to a building or a site for being a valuable part of history.
Discovering Champaign County's Historic Gems
Champaign County is full of fascinating historic buildings and sites. Let's explore some of them!
Homes with History
Many of the places on the list are old homes, each with its own special style and story.
Grand Homes of Mechanicsburg
In the town of Mechanicsburg, you can find several beautiful old houses.
- The Maj. John C. Baker House and the Henry Burnham House are examples of grand homes from the past.
- The Dr. Clark House was built in 1875 and shows off the Italianate style, which was popular back then. It was home to a well-known local doctor.
- The William Culbertson House also features Italianate architecture and belonged to an important local businessman.
- The Demand-Gest House is built in the Colonial Revival style, which looks back to older American building designs.
- The Kimball House was the town home of a wealthy farmer.
- The Dr. Nincehelser House was another home of a rich doctor in the area.
Unique Homes in Urbana and St. Paris
Other towns in the county also have remarkable homes.
- In St. Paris, you'll find the impressive Kiser Mansion.
- Also in St. Paris is the Monitor House. This house is special because it has a unique roof design called a "monitor," which is quite rare!
- In Urbana, the Dr. Adam Mosgrove House was the home of one of Urbana's very first doctors.
- The Richards-Sewall House used to be where the president of Urbana University lived.
- The John Q.A. Ward House was built in 1820 and was the home of a local sculptor.
Historic Churches and Community Buildings
Churches and other public buildings often play a big role in a town's history.
- The Church of Our Saviour in Mechanicsburg is a beautiful Gothic Revival church built in the 1890s.
- The Mechanicsburg Baptist Church is another large Gothic Revival church.
- St. Michael Catholic Church in Mechanicsburg is a smaller Gothic Revival church.
- The Second Baptist Church in Mechanicsburg is the oldest church building still standing in the village. It's built in the Greek Revival style.
- The United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg is a Gothic Revival church with a special central dome.
- In Urbana, St. Paul AME Church is an 1870s church building that was home to a church started way back in the 1820s.
- The Masonic Temple in Mechanicsburg is another important community building.
Special Historic Sites
Some listings are unique and tell us about very old history or interesting features.
- The Carl Potter Mound in Union Township is an ancient mound built by the Adena people. It's a reminder of the Native Americans who lived here long ago.
- Nutwood Place in Urbana is a farmstead that has a very cool brick round barn. Round barns are unusual and were thought to be very efficient.
- The Mount Tabor Methodist Episcopal Church Building, Cemetery and Hitching Lot in Salem Township includes an old, abandoned church and a cemetery with graves of soldiers from the Revolutionary War!
Historic Districts
Sometimes, a whole area or group of buildings is important enough to be listed. These are called historic districts.
- The Mechanicsburg Commercial Historic District includes several important buildings in the heart of Mechanicsburg.
- In Urbana, the Scioto Street Historic District and the Urbana Monument Square Historic District are recognized. The Monument Square district is Urbana's main business area, centered around a roundabout with a war memorial.
Oldest Buildings and College History
- Lawler's Tavern in Mechanicsburg is an old inn from the 1830s. It's one of the oldest buildings in the village!
- The Urbana College Historic Buildings are the oldest buildings on the Urbana University campus, showing the long history of education in the area.
Former Listings
Sometimes, a place that was once on the National Register might be removed. This can happen if the building is no longer standing or if it changes too much.
- Hamer's General Store in Mechanicsburg was a traditional general store, but it is no longer standing.
- The Levi Rathburn House was also once listed but has since been removed from the Register.
Images for kids
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The Maj. John C. Baker House in Mechanicsburg.
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The Barr House in Mechanicsburg.
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The Henry Burnham House.
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The Church of Our Saviour in Mechanicsburg.
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The Dr. Clark House, home of a prominent physician.
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The William Culbertson House, an Italianate home.
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The Colonial Revival Demand-Gest House.
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The site where Hamer's General Store once stood.
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The Norvall Hunter Farm.
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The Jeff Kimball House, town home of a prosperous farmer.
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The Kiser Mansion in St. Paris.
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Lawler's Tavern, one of Mechanicsburg's oldest buildings.
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The Magruder Building.
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The Masonic Temple in Mechanicsburg.
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The Mechanicsburg Baptist Church.
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Buildings in the Mechanicsburg Commercial Historic District.
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The Monitor House in St. Paris, known for its unique roof.
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The Dr. Adam Mosgrove House in Urbana.
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The Mt. Tabor Church Building and Cemetery.
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The Dr. Nincehelser House.
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Nutwood Place in Urbana, featuring a round barn.
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The Carl Potter Mound, an ancient Adena mound.
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The Richards-Sewall House, formerly home to the Urbana University president.
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St. Michael Catholic Church in Mechanicsburg.
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St. Paul AME Church in Urbana.
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A building within the Scioto Street Historic District in Urbana.
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The Second Baptist Church in Mechanicsburg.
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The United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg.
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Historic buildings at Urbana University.
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The Urbana Monument Square Historic District.
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The Village Hobby Shop.
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The John Q.A. Ward House in Urbana.
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The site where the Levi Rathburn House once stood.
