National Register of Historic Places listings in Fayette County, Iowa facts for kids
Welcome to Fayette County, Iowa! This article is all about the cool, old, and important places here that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of this register as a special list of buildings, sites, and objects across the United States that are worth saving because of their history or unique design.
In Fayette County, there are 29 different places that have made it onto this important list. These spots tell stories about the past, from old schools and churches to bridges and homes. Let's explore some of them!
Contents
Historic Buildings in Clermont
Clermont is a town in Fayette County with several historic treasures.
Abraham Lincoln Statue and Park
At the corner of Mill and Stone streets, you'll find the Abraham Lincoln Statue and Park. This park, with its statue of the famous U.S. President, was added to the National Register in 2000. It's a nice place to visit and learn about history.
Bigler Building
The Bigler Building at 210 Mill Street is another historic spot in Clermont. This building was recognized in 1995. It shows what buildings looked like a long time ago in this area.
Church of the Saviour Episcopal Church
Also in Clermont, at the junction of Mill and Thompson, stands the Church of the Saviour Episcopal Church and David Henderson Statue. This beautiful church and its statue were listed in 2000. It's a great example of old church architecture.
Clermont Public School
The Clermont Public School at 505 Larrabee Street joined the list in 1995. Imagine going to school in a building that's now considered a historic landmark!
Montauk
Just a mile northeast of Clermont, along U.S. Route 18, is Montauk. This isn't just a house; it's the former home of William Larrabee, who was the 12th Governor of Iowa. Built in 1874, this property is quite large. It includes the main house, a caretaker's house, a barn, a machine shed, a workshop, and even an old ice house and laundry buildings. It was added to the register in 1973.
Union Sunday School
The Union Sunday School is located at McGregor and Larrabee Streets in Clermont. This historic building was listed in 1974. It's a wonderful example of community buildings from the past.
.jpg)
Historic Places in Fayette
The town of Fayette also has some interesting places on the list.
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Company Depot
Northeast of Fayette, off Iowa Highway 150, you can find the old Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Company Depot. This train station was added to the register in 1978. It reminds us of a time when trains were a main way to travel and transport goods.
College Hall
In Fayette, on the 200 block of E. Clark, is College Hall, also known as Alexander-Dickman Hall. This building was listed in 1976 and is part of Upper Iowa University. It's cool to think about all the students who have learned inside its walls over the years.
Twin Bridge
The Twin Bridge is located on 130th Street over the Little Volga River near Fayette. This bridge was added to the register in 1998. Old bridges often have unique designs and tell us about engineering from long ago.
Historic Sites in West Union
West Union, the county seat of Fayette County, has many historic listings.
Fayette County Courthouse
The Fayette County Courthouse on Pine Street in West Union is a very important building. It's where many local government decisions are made. It was listed in 1981. Courthouses often have grand architecture and are central to a community's history.
First Baptist Church of West Union
At the corner of Main and Vine Streets in West Union, you'll find the First Baptist Church of West Union. This church was added to the National Register in 1999. It's a significant part of the town's religious and community history.
Grimes Octagon Barn
Off Iowa Highway 56 near West Union is the unique Grimes Octagon Barn. This barn, built in 1880, has eight sides instead of the usual four! It was listed in 1986 and is a great example of interesting farm architecture.
Hobson Block
The Hobson Block at 110-114 S. Vine Street in West Union was listed in 2008. This building is a part of the town's commercial history, showing how businesses operated in the past.
Maple View Sanitarium
The Maple View Sanitarium at 100 N. Walnut Street in West Union was added to the register in 1998. This building once served as a place for healing and care.
Vine Street Bridge
The Vine Street Bridge crosses Otter Creek on South Vine Street in West Union. This bridge was listed in 1998. It's an example of the infrastructure built to connect communities.
West Auburn Bridge
Near Neon Road over the Turkey River, you'll find the West Auburn Bridge near West Union. This bridge was added to the register in 1998.
West Union Commercial Historic District
The West Union Commercial Historic District is a larger area, roughly bounded by N. and S. Vine, Main, Walnut, and Plum Streets. This entire district was listed in 2015, meaning many buildings within it are historically important together.
Other Notable Historic Places
Eldorado Bridge
In Eldorado, the Eldorado Bridge crosses the Turkey River on State Street. This bridge was listed in 1998. It's an old "camelback" bridge, built in 1899, which is a special type of bridge design.
The Elgin Block
The Elgin Block at 225-231 Center Street in Elgin was added to the register in 2008. This building is a significant part of Elgin's downtown history.
Alfred Hanson House
In Oelwein, the Alfred Hanson House at 403 N. Frederick Avenue was listed in 1984. This house tells us about the homes and lifestyles of people from the past.
Hotel Mealey
Also in Oelwein, the Hotel Mealey at 102 S. Frederick Avenue was listed in 1983. Hotels were once major gathering places and important for travelers.
Mill Race Bridge
The Mill Race Bridge on Pheasant Road over the Turkey River near Eldorado was listed in 1998.
August Nus Polygonal Barn
Near Arlington, off County Road C2, is the August Nus Polygonal Barn. This unique barn, built in 1906, is made of clay tile and has many sides (it's polygonal!). It's one of only four known barns of its kind in Iowa and was listed in 1986.
Otter Creek Bridge
The Otter Creek Bridge on 40th Street over Otter Creek near Oelwein was listed in 1998. This concrete bridge was built in 1917.
St. Luke's School and Recreation Center
In St. Lucas, the St. Luke's School and Recreation Center at 212 East Main was added to the register in 2005. This site shows the importance of education and community activities in the past.
Stoe Creek Bridge
The Stoe Creek Bridge on V Avenue over Stoe Creek near Oelwein was listed in 1998. It was replaced in 2007, but its historical significance remains.
Sumner Bridge
The Sumner Bridge on 160th Street over the Little Wapsipinicon River near Sumner was listed in 1998.
These are just some of the many fascinating historic places in Fayette County, Iowa. Each one helps us understand the rich history of the area and the people who lived there.
Images for kids
-
The Abraham Lincoln Statue.
-
The Bigler Building in Clermont.
-
Hardware Building (Wadena, Iowa).jpg
The Hardware Building in Wadena.
-
Maynard Town Hall and Jail.jpg
The Maynard Town Hall and Jail.
-
August Nus Polygonal Barn.jpg
The August Nus Polygonal Barn.
-
Otter Creek Bridge (Oelwein, Iowa).jpg
The Otter Creek Bridge.
-
St. Luke's School and Recreation Center.jpg
St. Luke's School and Recreation Center.
-
Stoe Creek Bridge.jpg
Stoe Creek Bridge.
-
Sumner Bridge.jpg
Sumner Bridge.
