National Register of Historic Places listings in Fulton County, Illinois facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about really old buildings, bridges, or special places that tell a story about the past? In Fulton County, Illinois, there are many such places! They are so important that they are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect and celebrate buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.
When a place is added to this list, it means it's recognized as a special part of our country's heritage. It helps people learn about the past and makes sure these places are preserved for future generations. Fulton County has 42 places on this list, and each one has a unique story!
Contents
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is like a special club for important historical sites across the United States. It's managed by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. government.
Why are places listed?
Places get listed for many reasons. Maybe a famous person lived there, or an important event happened there. Sometimes, a building is listed because it's a great example of a certain type of architecture, like an old train station or a unique house. Other times, it's an archaeological site where scientists have found clues about ancient people.
Being on the National Register doesn't stop people from owning or using these places. Instead, it encourages their preservation. It can also help owners get special grants or tax breaks to help take care of these historic properties.
Historic Places in Fulton County
Fulton County is full of history, from ancient Native American sites to old bridges and charming buildings. Let's look at a few examples of the special places listed here.
Ancient Sites: Dickson Mounds and Larson Site
- Dickson Mounds: Near Lewistown, you'll find Dickson Mounds. This is a very important archaeological site. It shows us how Native American people lived in this area thousands of years ago. There's even a museum there where you can learn all about their history and culture.
- Larson Site: Also near Lewistown, the Larson Site is another archaeological treasure. It helps experts understand more about the ancient people who once lived in Fulton County.
Historic Buildings and Structures
Many buildings in Fulton County are on the list because of their unique architecture or their role in the community's past.
- Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Station: In Canton, this old train station is a reminder of a time when trains were a main way to travel and transport goods. It's a beautiful example of early 20th-century train station design.
- Parlin Library: Also in Canton, the Parlin Library is more than just a place to read books. It's a historic building that has served the community for many years. Libraries like this were often important centers for learning and gathering.
- Carithers Store Building: Located in Table Grove, this old store building tells us about how people used to shop and do business in small towns. It's a piece of everyday history!
- St. James Episcopal Church: This church in Lewistown is a wonderful example of historic church architecture. Churches often served as important community hubs, and their buildings reflect the styles and craftsmanship of their time.
- Vermont Historic District: Instead of just one building, the Vermont Historic District includes a whole area of the town. This means many buildings within this district are considered historically important, showing what a town looked like in the past.
Old Bridges
Fulton County also has several historic bridges on the list. These bridges are important because of their engineering and how they helped people travel across rivers and streams.
- Bernadotte Bridge: This bridge near Smithfield is an example of the older bridges that connected communities.
- Buckeye Bridge: Spanning the Spoon River near Smithfield, this bridge also shows the engineering skills of the past.
- Tartar's Ferry Bridge: Another bridge over the Spoon River, southwest of Smithfield. These old bridges are often very strong and built to last.
Places No Longer Listed
Sometimes, a place might be removed from the National Register. This usually happens if the building or structure is destroyed or changed so much that it loses its historical importance.
- Elrod Bridge: This bridge near Smithfield was once on the list. However, it was unfortunately destroyed by a tornado in 1995. Because it no longer exists, it was removed from the National Register of Historic Places.
Images for kids
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The Bernadotte Bridge, a historic crossing in Fulton County.
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The Buckeye Bridge, spanning the Spoon River.
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The Carithers Store Building in Table Grove.
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The old Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Station in Canton.
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The Edith Chipman House in Vermont.
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The Dickson Mounds Museum, a key archaeological site.
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The William Franklin and Rebecca Durell House in Vermont.
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The East Waterford School.
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The Edward Hamer House in Vermont.
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The Patterson Hamer House in Vermont.
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The Lucinda Hunter House in Vermont.
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The Indian Ford Bridge, now demolished.
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The Larson Site, an archaeological area.
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The London Mills Bridge, now demolished.
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The Charles Emmor McCormick House in Vermont.
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The Joab Mershon House in Vermont.
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The Daniel O'Connell House in Vermont.
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Oak Hill Cemetery in Lewistown.
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The Ogden-Fettie Site, another archaeological location.
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The Ulysses G. Orendorff House in Canton.
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The Henry H. Page House in Vermont.
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The Parlin Library in Canton.
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The Harvey Lee Ross House in Vermont.
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The Sleeth Site.
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The Elsworth Snowden House in Vermont.
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St. James Episcopal Church in Lewistown.
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The Stapleford-Hoover-Whitney House in Vermont.
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The Table Grove Community Church.
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The Tartar's Ferry Bridge.
