National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin County, Washington facts for kids
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is a special list of places in the United States that are important to history. Think of it like a "hall of fame" for buildings, parks, and even ancient sites! When a place is on this list, it means it's worth protecting and learning about. Franklin County, Washington, has many cool places on this list, showing its rich history from ancient times to more recent years.
Contents
Ancient History and Archaeological Sites
Franklin County is home to many places that tell us about people who lived here thousands of years ago. These are often called archaeological sites, where scientists study old tools, homes, and other clues left behind.
Marmes Rockshelter
The Marmes Rockshelter is one of the most famous and important sites in Franklin County. It's so special that it's also a National Historic Landmark, which is an even higher honor! This rockshelter is a natural cave where scientists found the oldest human remains in North America, dating back over 10,000 years! It teaches us a lot about the very first people who lived in this area. Today, the site is mostly underwater due to a dam, but its history is still incredibly important.
Other Ancient Sites
Many other ancient sites in Franklin County are on the National Register. Their exact locations are kept secret to protect them from harm. These include:
- Allen Rockshelter
- Burr Cave
- Lower Snake River Archaeological District
- Palouse Canyon Archaeological District
- Savage Island Archeological District
- Strawberry Island Village Archeological Site
- Tri-Cities Archaeological District
- Windust Caves Archaeological District
These places help us understand how early people lived, hunted, and used the land around the Snake River.
Historic Buildings and Landmarks
Franklin County also has several buildings and places that show its more recent history, from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Franklin County Courthouse
The Franklin County Courthouse in Pasco is a grand building where many important decisions for the county have been made over the years. It's a symbol of the county's government and history.
James Moore House
The James Moore House is another historic building in Pasco. It's a beautiful old home that gives us a peek into what life was like for some families in the past.
Pasco Carnegie Library
The Pasco Carnegie Library is a special building because it was built with money from Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman who helped fund libraries all over the country. These libraries were important places for people to learn and read.
Parks and Other Important Places
Some places on the National Register are not just buildings or ancient sites, but also parks or areas that have played a role in history.
Sacajawea State Park
Sacajawea State Park is a beautiful park located where the Snake River meets the Columbia River. It's named after Sacajawea, a Native American woman who helped guide the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This park is important because it's believed to be where the expedition camped in 1805.
Former Listings
Sometimes, a place that was once on the National Register of Historic Places might be removed. This can happen if the building is torn down or if it changes so much that it no longer has its historic value.
Pasco-Kennewick Bridge
The original Pasco-Kennewick Bridge was once on the National Register. This bridge used to connect the cities of Pasco and Kennewick across the Columbia River. However, it was later removed from the list, likely because it was replaced by a newer bridge or its condition changed.
Images for kids
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The Franklin County Courthouse in Pasco. This building has been important to the county's government for a long time.
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Officials at Marmes Rockshelter. This site is very important for understanding early human history in North America.
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The historic James Moore House in Pasco.
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The Pasco Carnegie Library. Many towns received money from Andrew Carnegie to build libraries like this one.
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The Sacajawea Museum at Sacajawea State Park. This park is named after a famous Native American guide.
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The old Pasco-Kennewick Bridge (left) and the newer Ed Hendler Bridge (right). The old bridge was removed from the historic list.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington state
- Listings in neighboring counties: Adams, Benton, Columbia, Grant, Benton, Walla Walla, Whitman
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Washington (state)
- Historic preservation
- History of Washington (state)
- Index of Washington-related articles
External links
- Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, Historic Register program
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places site
