National Register of Historic Places listings in Fremont County, Colorado facts for kids
Hey there, history explorers! Did you know that some buildings, bridges, and even entire neighborhoods are so special that they get listed on a national list? This list is called the National Register of Historic Places. It's like a hall of fame for important places in American history. When a place is on this list, it means it's worth protecting and remembering for future generations.
In Fremont County, Colorado, there are many cool places that have made it onto this special list. These places tell us stories about how people lived, worked, and built things a long time ago. Let's take a look at some of these amazing historic spots in Fremont County!
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Exploring Historic Buildings in Cañon City
Cañon City is full of historic buildings! Many of them are on the National Register.
Downtown Cañon City Historic District
Imagine walking through a whole area where almost every building has a story. That's what a historic district is! The Cañon City Downtown Historic District includes many buildings along Main Street and Macon Avenue. These buildings show us what the town looked like when it was first growing. One famous building here is the St. Cloud Hotel.
Important Public Buildings
Cañon City has several important public buildings that are now historic landmarks.
- The Cañon City Municipal Building was built a long time ago. It has been the center of local government for many years.
- The Canon City State Armory was used to train soldiers and store military equipment. It's an interesting example of older military architecture.
- The US Post Office and Federal Building-Canon City Main is another grand building. It has served as the main post office for the city for decades.
Historic Homes and Churches
Many beautiful old homes and churches in Cañon City are also on the list.
- The Samuel H. Atwater House is a lovely old home. It shows us how people built houses in the late 1800s.
- Christ Episcopal Church and the First Presbyterian Church are both historic places of worship. They have beautiful architecture and long histories in the community.
- The McClure House, also known as the Strathmore Hotel, is another interesting building. It has seen many changes over the years.
- The Robison Mansion is a large, impressive house. It was once home to an important family in Cañon City.
Schools and Institutions
Even old schools and other institutions can be historic.
- The Colorado Women's Prison building is on the list. It tells a part of the state's history related to justice and corrections.
- The Deputy Warden's House is right next to the old prison. It was where the deputy warden lived.
- Mount Saint Scholastica Academy, East Building was once part of a school. It has a unique design and history.
- South Canon High School is another building that served the community for many years as a place of learning.
Bridges with a Past
Fremont County is also home to several historic bridges. Bridges are important because they connect places and help people travel.
Old Road and Railroad Bridges
- Bridge No. 10/Adelaide Bridge is an old bridge on a county road near Florence. It's a great example of early bridge building.
- The Main Street Bridge in Florence crosses a river. It has been an important crossing for many years.
- The Portland Bridge is another historic bridge. It was likely used for trains or cars a long time ago.
- The Rio Grande Railroad Viaduct is a structure that carried a railroad over a valley or road. These viaducts were very important for moving goods and people by train.
The Famous Royal Gorge Bridge
One of the most famous landmarks in Fremont County is the Royal Gorge Bridge and Incline Railway. This amazing bridge is suspended high above the Arkansas River. It was once the highest suspension bridge in the world! It's a truly incredible engineering feat and a popular tourist attraction.
Other Unique Historic Sites
Beyond buildings and bridges, Fremont County has other interesting historic places.
Holy Cross Abbey
The Holy Cross Abbey is a beautiful and peaceful place. It was once a monastery where monks lived and worked. It has a long history and unique architecture.
Greenwood Cemetery
Even cemeteries can be historic! Greenwood Cemetery in Cañon City is on the National Register. Cemeteries often tell us a lot about the people who lived in an area and how they lived.
Oil Spring
The Oil Spring is a very unique historic site. It's a natural spring where oil seeps out of the ground. This site is important because it shows where oil was first discovered in Colorado. It played a big role in the early oil industry in the state. Because it's a sensitive historical site, its exact location is kept private.
Florence Post Office
The US Post Office-Florence Main is another historic post office building. Like the one in Cañon City, it shows the architectural style of public buildings from its time.
Former Historic Listings
Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This can happen if the building is changed too much, or if it's unfortunately destroyed.
- The Fourth Street Bridge in Cañon City was once on the list but was later removed.
- The Howard Bridge near Howard, Colorado, was also delisted.
These places were important in their time, even if they are no longer on the official list. They still remind us of the history of Fremont County.