National Register of Historic Places listings in Estill County, Kentucky facts for kids
Welcome to Estill County, Kentucky! 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. It helps protect buildings, sites, and objects that are important to our country's history.
When a place is on this list, it means it has a unique story to tell. It could be an old building where important events happened, a site where ancient people lived, or even a special area that shows how people used to live and work. In Estill County, there are 8 amazing places on this list. Let's explore some of them!
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Discovering Estill County's Historic Treasures
Estill County has many interesting spots that tell tales from the past. These places help us understand what life was like long ago. They show us how people lived, worked, and even created art.
Ancient Rock Art: Petroglyphs
Some of the oldest historical sites in Estill County are ancient rock carvings. These are called petroglyphs. They were made by Native American people many, many years ago.
Ashley Petroglyphs
The Ashley Petroglyphs are one example of these amazing rock carvings. They are located near a place called Furnace. These carvings give us clues about the people who lived here a very long time ago. We can't tell you the exact spot, as it's kept secret to protect these fragile artworks.
Sparks Indian Rock House Petroglyphs
Another important site is the Sparks Indian Rock House Petroglyphs. These are also ancient rock carvings found in Estill County. Like the Ashley Petroglyphs, their exact location is kept private to keep them safe. These carvings are like messages from the past, showing us the art and culture of early inhabitants.
Iron Furnaces: Powering the Past
Long ago, iron was a very important material. It was used to make tools, weapons, and many other things. In Estill County, you can find the remains of old iron furnaces. These were big structures where iron was made from rocks called iron ore.
Cottage Iron Furnace
The Cottage Iron Furnace is one of these historic sites. It is located about seven miles northeast of Irvine, inside the Daniel Boone National Forest. This furnace was once a busy place, turning raw materials into useful iron. It shows us how important industry was in this area a long time ago.
Red River Iron Furnace
Another historic iron furnace is the Red River Iron Furnace. You can find it along Kentucky Route 975, also within the Daniel Boone National Forest. These furnaces are reminders of Kentucky's industrial history and the hard work that went into making iron.
Historic Buildings in Irvine and Ravenna
The towns of Irvine and Ravenna in Estill County also have many buildings that are important to history. These buildings show us how towns grew and changed over time.
Irvine Grade School
The Irvine Grade School is a historic building located at 228 Broadway in Irvine. This old school building has seen many students pass through its doors. It reminds us of the importance of education in the community's past.
Irvine Historic Business District
The Irvine Historic Business District is a special area in Irvine. It's roughly around where Kentucky Routes 52 and 89 meet. This district includes many old buildings that were once shops, offices, and other businesses. Walking through this area is like taking a step back in time to see what the town center looked like long ago.
Ravenna Motor Vehicle Service Building
In the town of Ravenna, you can find the Ravenna Motor Vehicle Service Building at 512 Main Street. This building is a piece of Ravenna's history, showing how the town developed and what kinds of services were important to its residents.
Riverview Hotel
The Riverview Hotel is another historic building in Irvine, located on Main Street. Hotels like this were very important in the past. They provided places for travelers to stay and were often central to town life. The Riverview Hotel stands as a reminder of Irvine's bustling past.