National Register of Historic Places listings in Hill County, Texas facts for kids
Welcome to Hill County, Texas! This area is full of amazing history, and many of its special places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list is like a hall of fame for buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized as a valuable part of our past and should be protected for future generations.
In Hill County, you can find everything from old farmhouses and grand courthouses to ancient caves and historic bridges. Each spot tells a unique story about the people and events that shaped this part of Texas. Let's explore some of these cool historic places!
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Historic Buildings in Hillsboro
Hillsboro is the main city in Hill County and has many buildings on the National Register. These buildings show us what life was like long ago.
Important Public Buildings
Hill County Courthouse
The Hill County Courthouse is a very important building in Hillsboro. It's where many official decisions for the county are made. This beautiful building was listed on the National Register in 1971, showing how special its design and history are. It stands proudly in Courthouse Square.
Hill County Jail
Not far from the courthouse is the old Hill County Jail. This building, located on North Waco Street, was added to the National Register in 1981. It's a reminder of how law and order were kept in the past.
U.S. Post Office
The Hillsboro Post Office at 118 South Waco Street is another historic spot. It was listed in 1984. Imagine all the letters and packages that have passed through its doors over the years!
Old Businesses and Homes
Farmers National Bank
The Farmers National Bank building at 68 West Elm Street is a grand old building. It was recognized as historic in 1984. Banks are important because they show how towns grew and how people managed their money.
Gebhardt Bakery
The Gebhardt Bakery at 119 East Franklin Street also made the list in 1984. This building reminds us of the local businesses that fed the community in earlier times.
Grimes Garage
The Grimes Garage at 110 North Waco Street was listed in 1984. Garages like this were important as cars became more common, changing how people traveled and worked.
Old Rock Saloon
The Old Rock Saloon at 58 West Elm Street is another interesting historic business. It was added to the National Register in 1984. Saloons were popular gathering places in the past.
Sturgis National Bank
The Sturgis National Bank building, located at South Waco and West Elm Streets, was also listed in 1984. It's another example of the important financial buildings that helped Hillsboro grow.
Tarlton Building
The Tarlton Building at 110 East Franklin Street joined the list in 1984. This building likely housed various businesses or offices, playing a role in the town's daily life.
Western Union Building
The Western Union Building at 107 South Covington Street was listed in 1984. Western Union was vital for sending messages across long distances before phones were common.
Hillsboro Cotton Mills
The Hillsboro Cotton Mills at 220 North Houston Street was once an important factory. It was listed in 1984, but sadly, the building has since been torn down. Even though it's gone, its history is still remembered.
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Company Railroad Station
The Missouri-Kansas-Texas Company Railroad Station on Covington Street was a busy place when trains were the main way to travel. It was listed in 1979 and is a reminder of Hillsboro's connection to the wider world through railroads.
Historic Homes
Grimes House
The Grimes House, located at Country Club Road and Corporation Street, is a historic home listed in 1984. It gives us a peek into the lives of families who lived in Hillsboro long ago.
Joe E. Turner House
The Joe E. Turner House is found about 3 miles east of Itasca on State Road 934. This historic home was listed in 1977. It's a great example of the older houses in the area.
Hillsboro Residential Historic District
The Hillsboro Residential Historic District is not just one building, but a whole area of historic homes! It's roughly bounded by Country Club Road, Thompson, Corsicana, Pleasant, Franklin, and Elm Streets. This district was listed in 1984, meaning many homes in this neighborhood are special and protected.
Other Historic Sites in Hill County
Hill County has more than just buildings. It also has important archaeological sites and unique structures.
Ancient Sites and Caves
Some of the oldest historic places in Hill County are hidden and protected. These are often archaeological sites, which means they hold clues about people who lived here thousands of years ago. To keep them safe, their exact locations are not shared publicly.
- Bear Creek Shelter Site: Near Huron, this site was listed in 1978. It's a place where ancient people likely found shelter.
- Buzzard Cave: Near Lake Whitney, this cave was listed in 1974. It's another important archaeological site.
- Kyle Shelter: Near Lake Whitney Estates, this shelter was listed in 1974.
- McKenzie Site: Near Hillsboro, this site was listed in 1977.
- Pictograph Cave: Near Lake Whitney, this cave was listed in 1974. It might contain ancient drawings or carvings.
- Sheep Cave: Near Blum, this cave was listed in 1974.
These sites help scientists learn about early human history in Texas.
Historic Farm and Bridge
J. T. Baker Farmstead
The J. T. Baker Farmstead is located about 1.2 miles north of Blum, between Highway 174 and the Nolan River. This historic farm was listed in 1992. It shows us what farming life was like in the past.
Nolan River Bridge 303-A
The Nolan River Bridge 303-A is a historic railroad bridge. It's on County Road 1127 at the Nolan River, near Blum. This bridge was part of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway and was listed in 2012. Bridges like this are important examples of old engineering.
Images for kids
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The historic Farmers National Bank in Hillsboro.
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The Gebhardt Bakery building.
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The Grimes Garage building.
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The Grimes House.
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The impressive Hill County Courthouse.
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The old Hill County Jail.
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A view of the Hillsboro Residential Historic District.
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The Missouri-Kansas-Texas Company Railroad Station.
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The Nolan River Bridge 303-A.
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The Old Rock Saloon.
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The Sturgis National Bank building.
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The Tarlton Building.
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The Joe E. Turner House.
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The U.S. Post Office in Hillsboro.
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The Western Union Building.
