National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin County, Idaho facts for kids
Welcome to Franklin County, Idaho! This place is full of history, and many of its important buildings and sites are protected. They are part of a special list called the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps keep track of places that are important to the history of the United States.
In Franklin County, there are 10 places on this list. One of them is extra special and is called a National Historic Landmark. These landmarks are super important to the whole country's history. New places are added to the list all the time, so the history of our country is always being remembered and protected.
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Discovering Franklin County's Historic Places
Franklin County in Idaho has many cool spots that tell stories from the past. These places are like time capsules, showing us how people lived and what happened long ago. Let's explore some of these special locations.
The Bear River Battleground: A Place of Remembrance
One of the most important historic sites in Franklin County is the Bear River Battleground. It's located northwest of Preston. This spot is a National Historic Landmark because of a very sad event that happened here in 1863. It was a battle between the U.S. Army and the Shoshone people. Today, it's a place to remember what happened and to learn about the past. It helps us understand the history of Native Americans and the early settlers in this area.
Historic Buildings in Preston
The city of Preston has several buildings that are also on the National Register. These buildings show us what life was like in the past.
Franklin County Courthouse
The Franklin County Courthouse is in Preston. It's located at 39 West Oneida Street. This building is where many important decisions for the county have been made over the years. Courthouses are often grand buildings because they represent law and order in a community. This one was built a long time ago and still stands as a symbol of the county's government.
Oneida Stake Academy
Another interesting building in Preston is the Oneida Stake Academy. You can find it at 90 East Oneida Street. This academy was an important school in the early days of Preston. It helped educate many young people in the community. Learning about old schools like this helps us see how education has changed over time.
U.S. Post Office – Preston Main
The U.S. Post Office – Preston Main is at 55 East Oneida Street. Post offices are more than just places to send letters. They were often central hubs for communities, connecting people through mail. This building has served the people of Preston for many years, helping them communicate with the outside world.
Historic Sites in Franklin
The town of Franklin is also home to several historic properties. Franklin is known as the first permanent settlement in Idaho, so it has a lot of history!
Franklin City Hall
The Franklin City Hall is at 128 East Main Street. This building has been the center of local government for the town of Franklin. City halls are where town leaders meet and make plans for the community. It's a place where important decisions about the town's future are made.
Franklin Co-operative Mercantile Institution
The Franklin Co-operative Mercantile Institution is at 113 East Main Street. This building was once a busy store. It was part of a special type of business called a "co-operative," where people worked together to provide goods for the community. Imagine buying all your supplies here many years ago! It shows us how people shopped and traded in the past.
Relic Hall
Also in Franklin, at 111 East Main Street, is the Relic Hall. This building is part of the group of historic properties in Franklin. Often, "relic halls" are places where old artifacts and historical items are kept and displayed. It's like a small museum, preserving the memories and objects from the town's early days.
Other Notable Places
Franklin County has other unique historic spots too.
Weston Canyon Rock Shelter
The Weston Canyon Rock Shelter is a very special place near Weston. It's a natural rock overhang that was used by people long, long ago. Archeologists study places like this to learn about ancient cultures and how early humans lived. It's a window into a time before towns and cities even existed.
Images for kids
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The monument at the Bear River Battleground.
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The Matthias Cowley House in Preston.
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The historic Franklin City Hall.
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The Franklin Co-operative Mercantile Institution building.
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The Franklin County Courthouse in Preston.
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The L.H. Hatch House in Franklin.
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The Oneida Stake Academy.
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The Relic Hall in Franklin.
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The U.S. Post Office in Preston.
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The Weston Canyon Rock Shelter is a protected site.
