National Register of Historic Places listings in Delaware County, Indiana facts for kids
Welcome to Delaware County, Indiana! This page is all about the cool, old places here that are super important to history. These special spots are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a Hall of Fame for buildings, neighborhoods, and other places that tell a big story about our past.
When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized by the United States government as being really special and worth protecting. It could be an old house, a church, a school, or even a whole neighborhood! In Delaware County, we have 43 of these amazing places. Some are in towns like Muncie, and others are out in the countryside. We even had a few more on the list once, but they've been removed for different reasons.
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Cool Historic Places in Delaware County
Let's explore some of the neat historic places you can find in Delaware County! Each one has a unique story.
Historic Homes and Buildings
Many of the places on the list are old homes or buildings that show us how people lived and worked a long time ago.
Otto Carmichael House
The Otto Carmichael House, built around 1900, is a great example of early 20th-century architecture in Muncie. It shows us the kind of grand homes people built back then.
J.C. Johnson House
The J.C. Johnson House, located in Muncie, is another historic home. It was built in 1890 and is known for its unique design, which was popular during that time.
Margaret and George Riley Jones House
This house in Muncie, built in 1890, belonged to Margaret and George Riley Jones. It's a lovely example of the homes built during Muncie's boom period when the natural gas industry was thriving.
Alva Kitselman House
The Alva Kitselman House was built in 1900. Alva Kitselman was part of a family famous for making wire fences, which was a big industry in Muncie. This house shows the wealth and style of important families from that era.
William Henry Luick Farmhouse
Out in Muncie, the William Henry Luick Farmhouse, built in 1880, gives us a peek into rural life and farming history in Delaware County. It's a reminder of the area's agricultural roots.
Moore-Youse-Maxon House
The Moore-Youse-Maxon House in Muncie, built in 1850, is one of the older homes on the list. It shows how homes were designed in the mid-19th century.
Public Buildings and Important Structures
Beyond homes, many public buildings and other structures are also recognized for their historical value.
City Hall
Muncie's City Hall, built in 1920, is a key building in the city. It's where local government happens, and its architecture reflects the style of public buildings from that time.
Fire Station No. 1
Fire Station No. 1 in Muncie, built in 1900, is more than just a place where firefighters work. It's a historic building that shows the growth of public services in the city.
Muncie Public Library
The Muncie Public Library, built in 1900, is a "Carnegie Library." This means it was built with money from Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman who helped fund libraries all over the country. It's a place where generations have learned and explored.
Roberts Hotel
The Roberts Hotel in Muncie, built in 1920, was once a very important hotel in the city. It hosted many travelers and events and is a great example of early 20th-century hotel architecture.
West Washington Street Bridge
The West Washington Street Bridge, built in 1900, crosses the White River in Muncie. Bridges are important for connecting communities, and this one is recognized for its design and role in the city's development.
Wilson Junior High School
Wilson Junior High School in Muncie, built in 1920, served many students over the years. It's a historic school building that represents the history of education in the area.
YWCA
The YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association) building in Muncie, built in 1920, has been a place for women and girls to learn, grow, and find support for a long time. It's an important part of the community's social history.
Historic Districts: Whole Neighborhoods with Stories
Sometimes, it's not just one building that's historic, but a whole group of buildings or a neighborhood. These are called "historic districts."
Goldsmith C. Gilbert Historic District
This district in Muncie is named after Goldsmith C. Gilbert, an important early settler. It includes many buildings that show the city's growth and development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Emily Kimbrough Historic District
The Emily Kimbrough Historic District in Muncie is named after a famous author who grew up there. This area has many beautiful homes that show the different styles of architecture from Muncie's past.
Old West End Historic District
The Old West End Historic District in Muncie is a large area with many historic homes. It's a great place to see how neighborhoods looked and changed over time in the city.
Riverside Historic District
The Riverside Historic District in Muncie is known for its beautiful homes and tree-lined streets near the White River. It's a charming area that shows the residential development of Muncie.
Walnut Street Historic District
The Walnut Street Historic District covers a part of downtown Muncie. It includes many commercial buildings that were important for businesses and shopping in the city's past.
Westwood Historic District
The Westwood Historic District in Muncie is another residential area with historic homes. It shows the different styles of houses that were popular in the early to mid-20th century.
Wysor Heights Historic District
Wysor Heights Historic District, located near the White River, is known for its lovely homes and planned community feel. It's a good example of how neighborhoods were designed in the early 1900s.
Other Interesting Historic Sites
Delaware County also has other unique historic places, like old churches and farms.
Beech Grove Cemetery
Beech Grove Cemetery in Muncie is more than just a burial ground. It's a historic landscape with beautiful old trees, monuments, and even mausoleums that are works of art. It tells the story of the community's past residents.
Felt's Farm
Felt's Farm, located southeast of Eaton in Union Township, is a historic farm that shows us what farming life was like many years ago. It includes old farm buildings and the farmhouse itself.
Hamilton Township Schoolhouse No. 4
This old schoolhouse, northeast of Muncie in Hamilton Township, is a reminder of a time when many children went to small, one-room schoolhouses. It's a piece of educational history.
Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church
Mount Zion Methodist Episcopal Church, west of Eaton in Union Township, is a historic church building. Churches often served as important community centers, and this one has a long history in the area.
Richwood Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Richwood Evangelical Lutheran Church, northeast of Middletown in Salem Township, is another historic church. It represents the religious and community life of the rural areas of Delaware County.
Former Listings: Places That Were Once Historic
Sometimes, places are removed from the National Register of Historic Places. This can happen if they are changed too much, or if they are no longer standing.
Goddard Warehouse
The Goddard Warehouse in Muncie was once a historic building, listed in 1988. However, it was later removed from the list in 1993, likely because it was no longer there or had been significantly altered.
John Valentine House
The John Valentine House in Muncie was listed in 1983. It was removed from the list in 2014. This house is now part of the Ball State University campus.
