National Register of Historic Places listings in Decatur County, Indiana facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about really old and important buildings or places in your town? In the United States, there's a special list called the National Register of Historic Places. It helps protect and celebrate buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.
This article is a list of all the places in Decatur County, Indiana that are on this special list. There are 10 of them! These places are recognized because they tell us something important about the past. Some are in towns like Greensburg, Indiana, while others are in the countryside. Let's explore some of these cool historic spots!
Historic Places in Decatur County
Greensburg's Special Spots
Greensburg, the main city in Decatur County, has many buildings on the National Register.
Bromwell Wire Works
The Bromwell Wire Works is an old factory building located where 1st Street and Ireland Street meet. It was added to the list in 1990. This building reminds us of the types of industries that were important in Greensburg's past.
Decatur County Courthouse
The Decatur County Courthouse is a very important building right in the center of Greensburg. It's where many local government decisions are made. This courthouse is famous for a tree growing out of its tower! It was added to the list in 1973.
Greensburg Carnegie Public Library
The Greensburg Carnegie Public Library is a beautiful old library building at 114 North Michigan Avenue. It was built with money from Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman who helped build many libraries across the country. It joined the list in 1995.
Greensburg Downtown Historic District
The Greensburg Downtown Historic District isn't just one building; it's a whole area around the courthouse square! This district includes many historic buildings that show what downtown Greensburg looked like long ago. It became a historic district in 1995.
Bright B. Harris House
The Bright B. Harris House is a historic home located at 413 North Franklin Street. It was added to the National Register in 2000. This house is a great example of the architecture from its time.
Jerman School
The Jerman School is an old school building at 316 West Walnut Street. It was recognized as a historic place in 2005. It reminds us of how schools used to look and operate.
Knights of Pythias Building and Theatre
The Knights of Pythias Building and Theatre is located at 215 North Broadway. This building once housed a lodge for the Knights of Pythias, a fraternal organization, and also had a theatre. It was listed in 1978.
Historic Bridges and Barns
Decatur County also has some interesting historic structures outside of Greensburg.
Champ's Ford Bridge
The Champ's Ford Bridge is a historic bridge in Clay Township. It crosses Clifty Creek and is about two miles west of Burney. This bridge was added to the list in 2009, showing how important old bridges are to our history.
Strauther Pleak Round Barn
The Strauther Pleak Round Barn is a very unique building located in Washington Township. It's a round barn, which is not very common! It was listed in 1993. Round barns were sometimes built to be more efficient for farming.
Westport Covered Bridge
The Westport Covered Bridge is a beautiful old covered bridge located east of Westport in Sand Creek Township. Covered bridges are special because they are protected from the weather, which helps them last longer. This bridge was added to the list in 1982.
These places in Decatur County are important parts of Indiana's history. They help us remember the past and understand how our communities grew and changed over time.
