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National Register of Historic Places listings in Coconino County, Arizona facts for kids

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Map of Arizona highlighting Coconino County
Location of Coconino County in Arizona

Welcome to Coconino County, Arizona! This area is full of amazing places that are super important to history. This article will tell you about some of these special spots that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a national hall of fame for buildings, sites, and objects that tell a story about America's past.

There are 155 historic places in Coconino County on this list! Eleven of them are even more special and are called National Historic Landmarks. Let's explore some of the coolest ones!

What is the National Register?

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of places in the United States that are worth saving because of their historical importance. When a place is added to this list, it means it's recognized for its role in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. It helps protect these places and makes sure future generations can learn from them.

Coconino County is a big place with a rich history, from ancient Native American sites to famous landmarks like the Grand Canyon. Many of these places tell stories of how people lived, worked, and explored this unique part of Arizona.

Famous Places to Explore

Coconino County is home to many incredible historic sites. Here are some highlights that might interest you!

Grand Canyon Landmarks

The Grand Canyon National Park is not just a natural wonder; it's also home to many historic buildings and sites.

  • El Tovar Hotel: Built in 1905, this fancy hotel sits right on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. It was designed to look like a mix of Swiss chalets and Norwegian villas. Many famous people have stayed here!
  • Grand Canyon Lodge: Located on the North Rim, this lodge offers amazing views. It was built in the 1920s and lets visitors enjoy the canyon's beauty from a different perspective.
  • Desert View Watchtower: This tall stone tower, built in 1932, looks like an ancient Native American structure. It offers incredible panoramic views of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. It was designed by Mary Colter, a famous architect.
  • Grand Canyon Railroad Station: This historic train station, built in 1910, was the main way visitors arrived at the Grand Canyon for many years. It's still used today by the Grand Canyon Railway.
  • Hermit's Rest Concession Building: Another creation by Mary Colter, this rustic stone building from 1914 was designed to blend into the canyon landscape. It was a rest stop for tourists exploring the West Rim.
  • Buckey O'Neill Cabin: This small, rustic cabin is one of the oldest buildings on the South Rim. It belonged to William "Buckey" O'Neill, a colorful character who was a miner, judge, and even a Rough Rider with Theodore Roosevelt.
  • Tusayan Ruins: These ancient ruins show us how people lived in the Grand Canyon area over 800 years ago. You can see the remains of a small pueblo and a kiva (a ceremonial room).

Historic Route 66 Spots

Route 66, often called the "Mother Road," is a famous highway that stretches across the U.S. Many parts of it in Coconino County are historic.

  • Abandoned Route 66, Parks (1921 & 1931): These sections of the old highway near Parks show how roads were built long ago. They are a reminder of early car travel.
  • Canyon Diablo Bridge: This old bridge carried Route 66 over a deep canyon near Two Guns. It's a cool spot to imagine what travel was like in the past.
  • DelSue Motor Inn: Located in Williams, this motor inn was a popular stop for travelers on Route 66. It represents the classic roadside motels of the mid-20th century.
  • Urban Route 66, Williams: The main street in Williams, Bill Williams Avenue, is a historic part of Route 66. It's lined with old buildings that tell the story of this famous road.

Cool Buildings in Flagstaff

Flagstaff has many historic buildings that show its growth from a logging town to a city.

  • Arizona Lumber and Timber Company Office: This building was once the main office for a big lumber company, showing Flagstaff's past as a center for timber.
  • Ashurst House: A beautiful old home that gives us a peek into how people lived in Flagstaff long ago.
  • Bank Hotel (McMillan Building): This building on Route 66 was once a hotel and a bank. It's a great example of early 20th-century architecture in Flagstaff.
  • C&M Garage: An old garage that reminds us of the early days of cars and auto repair in the city.
  • First Baptist Church: This church is a historic landmark, showing the community's early religious life.
  • Flagstaff Armory: This building once served as a military armory, playing a role in local defense and community events.
  • The Ice House: This unique building was used to store ice, which was very important before refrigerators were common.
  • Lowell Observatory: This famous observatory, built in 1894, is where Pluto was discovered! It's a very important place for space science.
  • Museum of Northern Arizona Exhibition Building: This museum helps us learn about the natural and cultural history of northern Arizona. The building itself is also historic.
  • Riordan Estate: This beautiful mansion, built in 1904, belonged to the Riordan brothers, who were important in Flagstaff's lumber industry. It's now a state historic park.
  • Two Spot Logging Train: This old logging train engine is a reminder of Flagstaff's past as a busy logging town. You can see it near the railroad tracks.
  • Weatherford Hotel: A historic hotel in downtown Flagstaff, built in 1900. It has seen many changes in the city over the years.

Other Interesting Sites

Beyond the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff, Coconino County has many other fascinating historic places.

  • Ashfork-Bainbridge Steel Dam: This unique steel dam near Ash Fork was built in 1901 to provide water for the railroad. It's one of the few steel dams ever built.
  • Barney Flat Historic Railroad Logging Landscape: South of Williams, this area shows where logging trains once operated. It's a rare example of an old stump field on the National Register.
  • Cameron Suspension Bridge: This bridge, built in 1911, carries U.S. Route 89 over the Little Colorado River. It was a vital link for travel in the region.
  • Chapel of the Holy Cross: In Sedona, this chapel is built right into the red rocks! It's a stunning example of modern architecture blending with nature.
  • C. Hart Merriam Base Camp Site: This site in the Coconino National Forest was where scientist C. Hart Merriam camped in 1889 while studying the plants and animals of the area.
  • Navajo Bridge: This impressive steel arch bridge, built in 1929, crosses the Colorado River near Lees Ferry. It was a major engineering feat for its time.
  • Walnut Canyon National Monument: East of Flagstaff, this monument protects ancient cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua people. You can hike down into the canyon to see them up close.
  • Wupatki National Monument: North of Flagstaff, this monument preserves several ancient pueblos built by different Native American groups. The Wukoki Ruins are a great example.

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