National Register of Historic Places listings in Hanson County, South Dakota facts for kids

Where Hanson County is located in South Dakota

Welcome to Hanson County, South Dakota! This page is all about special places in the county that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of the National Register as an official list of buildings, sites, and objects across the United States that are important to history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its unique value and efforts are made to protect it.

In Hanson County, there are 6 places that are currently on this important list. One of them is even more special; it's called a National Historic Landmark. This means it's considered one of the most important historic places in the entire country! There was also one other place that used to be on the list but has since been removed.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is like a hall of fame for historic sites in the United States. It's managed by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. government. When a place gets listed, it means it has been carefully studied and found to be very important to our shared past.

Being on the National Register helps protect these places. It encourages people to preserve them for future generations. It also makes it easier for owners of these historic sites to get help and funding for repairs or preservation projects. It's all about making sure we don't lose the stories and structures that connect us to history.

Special Historic Places in Hanson County

Here are the amazing places in Hanson County that are recognized for their historical importance:

The Bloom Site

The Bloom Site is a very old archaeological site near Bloom. It's so important that it's been named a National Historic Landmark. This means it's one of the most significant historical places in the entire country! Archaeologists study sites like this to learn about how people lived long, long ago.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background-color: #87CEEB;" | 1 | Bloom Site

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Fort James (39HS48)

Fort James is another archaeological site. It's located near Rosedale Colony. While its exact location is kept private to protect the site, it's a place where researchers can learn about past cultures and events in the area.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 2 | Fort James (39HS48) |

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Old Rockport Hutterite Colony

The Old Rockport Hutterite Colony is a historic site located off the James River near Alexandria. This site tells the story of the Hutterites, a group of people who live in communities and share their belongings. Their history in South Dakota is an important part of the state's cultural heritage.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 3 | Old Rockport Hutterite Colony |

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| class="adr" | Off the James River
43°34′55″N 97°50′27″W / 43.581944°N 97.840833°W / 43.581944; -97.840833 (Old Rockport Hutterite Colony)

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Sheldon Reese Site (39HS23)

The Sheldon Reese Site is another archaeological location near Mitchell. Like other archaeological sites on this list, its address is restricted to help protect it from damage. These sites are like giant puzzles that help us understand ancient civilizations and how they lived.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 4 | Sheldon Reese Site (39HS23) |

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Saint Peter's Grotto

Saint Peter's Grotto is a unique and special place near Farmer. A grotto is often a cave-like structure, sometimes built by people, that has religious meaning. This grotto is located near old railroad tracks, adding to its historical context.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 5 | Saint Peter's Grotto |

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| class="adr" | 0.5 miles north of the former Chicago and North Western railroad tracks
43°43′33″N 97°41′14″W / 43.725833°N 97.687222°W / 43.725833; -97.687222 (Saint Peter's Grotto)

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Site 39HS3

Site 39HS3 is another important archaeological site located near Mitchell. Like the other sites with restricted addresses, it's a place where scientists can uncover clues about the past without disturbing the historical evidence.

|- class="vcard" ! style="background:#A8EDEF" | 6 | Site 39HS3 |

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| class="adr" | Address Restricted

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Former Historic Listing

Sometimes, a property might be removed from the National Register. This can happen for different reasons, like if the property is no longer there, or if it has changed so much that it no longer has its original historical importance.