National Register of Historic Places listings in Fresno County, California facts for kids

Location of Fresno County in California

Hey everyone! Did you know that all across the United States, there are special places that are super important to history? These places are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. It's like a hall of fame for buildings, parks, and other spots that tell us about the past.

In Fresno County, California, there are 45 of these amazing places! One of them is even a National Historic Landmark, which means it's extra special and important to the whole country. Let's take a look at some of these cool historic sites right here in Fresno County.

Cool Historic Places in Fresno County

Bank of Italy

The Bank of Italy building in Fresno is a historic bank that was built a long time ago. It's located at 1015 Fulton Mall and was added to the National Register on October 29, 1982. It's a great example of old-fashioned architecture.

The historic Bank of Italy building in Fresno.

Ben Gefvert Ranch Historic District

This historic district, located at 4770 W. Whites Bridge Rd. in Fresno, was recognized on January 7, 2011. It helps us remember what ranch life was like in the past.

A view of the Ben Gefvert Ranch Historic District.

Big Creek Hydroelectric System Historic District

This isn't just one building! The Big Creek Hydroelectric System is a huge area that stretches from Big Creek all the way to northern Los Angeles. It's a historic district because it shows how people used water power to make electricity a long time ago. It was added to the list on July 26, 2016.

A part of the Big Creek Hydroelectric System.

Birdwell Rock Petroglyph Site

Near Coalinga, there's a secret spot called the Birdwell Rock Petroglyph Site. It has ancient rock carvings, called petroglyphs, made by early people. Because it's so old and special, its exact location is kept private to protect it. It became historic on March 12, 2003.

Ancient petroglyphs at the Birdwell Rock Site.

H. H. Brix Mansion

The H. H. Brix Mansion is a beautiful old house at 2844 Fresno St. in Fresno. It was built a long time ago and shows us the fancy homes of the past. It was added to the National Register on September 15, 1983.

The H. H. Brix Mansion in Fresno.

Coalinga Polk Street School

This old school building, located at S. 5th and E. Polk Sts. in Coalinga, was an important place for learning in its community. It was listed on May 6, 1982.

The historic Coalinga Polk Street School.

Dinkey Creek Bridge

The Dinkey Creek Bridge is a cool old bridge located off Dinkey Creek Rd., west of Camp Fresno, in the Sierra National Forest. It was built in a special way and was added to the list on September 5, 1996.

The Dinkey Creek Bridge.

Einstein House

The Einstein House at 1600 M St. in Fresno is another historic home. It was recognized on January 31, 1978, for its importance to the area's history.

The Einstein House in Fresno.

Forestiere Underground Gardens

This is one of the most unique places! The Forestiere Underground Gardens at 5021 W. Shaw Ave. in Fresno are a series of underground tunnels and rooms built by hand. It's like a secret world beneath the ground! It was added to the National Register on October 28, 1977.

A view inside the Forestiere Underground Gardens.

Fresno Bee Building

The Fresno Bee Building, located at 1555 Van Ness Ave. in Fresno, was once the home of a major newspaper. It was listed on November 1, 1982, showing its importance in local communication history.

The Fresno Bee Building, now part of a museum.

Fresno Sanitary Landfill

This might sound like a strange historic place, but the Fresno Sanitary Landfill (at West and Jensen Aves. in Fresno) is super important! It was the first modern landfill in the United States. This means it was the first place to properly manage trash in a new, safer way. It became a National Historic Landmark on August 7, 2001.

An aerial view of the Fresno Sanitary Landfill.

Gamlin Cabin

The Gamlin Cabin, located northwest of Wilsonia, is a rustic old cabin that tells us about early life in the wilderness. It was added to the National Register on March 8, 1977.

The historic Gamlin Cabin.

Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church

This beautiful church at 2226 Ventura St. in Fresno is important to the Armenian community and the history of Fresno. It was listed on July 31, 1986.

The Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church.

M. Theo Kearney Park and Mansion

Located at 7160 Kearney Blvd. in Fresno, this park and mansion belonged to M. Theo Kearney, an important person in Fresno's history. It was recognized on March 13, 1975.

The M. Theo Kearney Park and Mansion.

Old Fresno Water Tower

The Old Fresno Water Tower at 2444 Fresno St. in Fresno is a famous landmark. It used to hold water for the city and is a cool example of old engineering. It was listed on October 14, 1971.

The iconic Old Fresno Water Tower.

Alexander Pantages Theater

Now known as the Warnors Theatre, this grand building at 1400 Fulton St. in Fresno was once a famous theater. It hosted many shows and events and was added to the National Register on February 23, 1978.

The Alexander Pantages Theater, now Warnors Theatre.

Reedley Opera House Complex

The Reedley Opera House Complex, at 10th and G Sts. in Reedley, was a center for arts and entertainment in its time. It was listed on April 5, 1984.

The Reedley Opera House.

Shorty Lovelace Historic District

East of Pinehurst in Kings Canyon National Park, this historic district includes a series of cabins built by a trapper named Shorty Lovelace. It tells a story of early life in the wilderness and was listed on January 31, 1978.

One of Shorty Lovelace's historic cabins.

Tower Theatre

The Tower Theatre at 1201 N. Wishon Ave. in Fresno is a beautiful old movie theater. It's known for its unique design and was added to the National Register on September 24, 1992.

The famous Tower Theatre in Fresno.

Warehouse Row

Warehouse Row, located at 722, 744, and 764 P St. in Fresno, is a group of old warehouses. These buildings show us what trade and business were like in Fresno's past. It became a historic district on March 24, 1978.

One of the buildings in Warehouse Row.

Y.W.C.A. Building

The Y.W.C.A. Building at 1660 M St. in Fresno was important for supporting women and girls in the community. It was listed on September 21, 1978.

The historic Y.W.C.A. Building in Fresno.

Images for kids

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  Ben Gefvert Ranch Historic District

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  Big Creek Hydroelectric System Historic District

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  Birdwell Rock Petroglyph Site

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  Coalinga Polk Street School

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  Dinkey Creek Bridge

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  Einstein House

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  Forestiere Underground Gardens

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  Fresno Bee Building

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  Fresno Brewing Company Office and Warehouse

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  Fresno County Hall of Records

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  Fresno Memorial Auditorium

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  Fresno Republican Printery Building

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  Gamlin Cabin

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  Hotel Californian

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  Paul Kindler House

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  Knapp Cabin

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  Maubridge Apartments

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  Meux House

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  John Muir Memorial Shelter

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  Old Administration Building, Fresno City College

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  Orange Cove Santa Fe Railway Depot

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  Physicians Building

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  Reedley National Bank

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  Rehorn House

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  Frank Romain House

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  San Joaquin Light and Power Corporation Building

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  Santa Fe Hotel

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  Santa Fe Passenger Depot

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  Southern Pacific Passenger Depot

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  Twining Laboratories