National Register of Historic Places listings in Chickasaw County, Mississippi facts for kids
Welcome to Chickasaw County, Mississippi! Did you know that this county is home to some really special places? These places are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a special list kept by the United States government to protect and celebrate buildings, sites, and objects that have played a big part in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.
When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its historical value and efforts are made to preserve it for future generations. In Chickasaw County, there are 10 different properties and areas that have earned a spot on this important list. Let's explore some of them!
Historic Places in Chickasaw County
Bynum Mound and Village Site
The Bynum Mound and Village Site is a very old and important archaeological site located near Houston. It's found along the Natchez Trace Parkway, which is a historic road. This site shows us where Native American people lived a long, long time ago. They built large earth mounds here, which were often used for burials or ceremonies. This site helps us learn about the ancient cultures that once thrived in Mississippi. It was added to the National Register on July 16, 1989.
Elliott-Donaldson House
The Elliott-Donaldson House is a beautiful historic home located in Okolona. It was built around 1850, which means it's over 170 years old! Imagine all the history that has happened within its walls. This house is a great example of the architecture from that time period. It was recognized as a historic place on September 15, 1980.
Houston Carnegie Library
The Houston Carnegie Library in Houston is a special building with an interesting story. It was built in 1909 with money donated by Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman who helped fund thousands of libraries across the United States. These "Carnegie Libraries" were built to give everyone access to books and learning. This library was added to the National Register on December 22, 1978.
Houston Historic District
The Houston Historic District is not just one building, but a whole area in Houston that has many historic buildings. This district includes streets like Depot, Monroe, Madison, and Pontotoc. When an entire district is listed, it means that the collection of buildings together tells an important story about the area's past. It helps preserve the unique look and feel of the historic downtown. This district was added to the list on May 14, 2013.
Judge Bates House
Another historic home in Houston is the Judge Bates House. This house was built even earlier than the Elliott-Donaldson House, around 1845. It's named after Judge Bates, who likely lived there. Old homes like this give us a peek into what life was like in Mississippi in the mid-1800s. It became a protected historic site on May 6, 1982.
Okolona College
Okolona College is a very important historic site in Okolona. It was once a college specifically for African-American students. Founded in 1902, it played a crucial role in providing education and opportunities during a time when they were limited for many. Even though it's no longer a college, its buildings and grounds stand as a reminder of its significant contribution to education and civil rights. It was added to the National Register on August 9, 2002.
Owl Creek Site
The Owl Creek Site is another archaeological treasure, located near Old Houlka. Like the Bynum Mound site, this area holds clues about ancient Native American cultures. Archaeologists study sites like Owl Creek to understand how people lived, what tools they used, and how their societies were organized thousands of years ago. This site was listed on the National Register on August 1, 1975.
Images for kids
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The ancient mounds at Bynum Mound and Village Site.
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The historic Elliott-Donaldson House in Okolona.
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The Houston Carnegie Library, built with funds from Andrew Carnegie.
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Buildings within the Houston Historic District.
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The Judge Bates House, built around 1845.
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A building at the historic Okolona College.
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The Owl Creek Site, an important archaeological area.
