National Register of Historic Places listings in Jasper County, Iowa facts for kids
Welcome to a special list of historic places in Jasper County, Iowa! These are buildings, areas, and structures that are so important they've been added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a special club for places that tell us about the past of the United States.
In Jasper County, Iowa, there are 16 amazing places on this list. Each one has a unique story and helps us understand what life was like long ago. Let's explore some of these cool spots!
Contents
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worth saving. It's managed by the National Park Service. When a place is added to this list, it means it's important for its history, architecture, or what it represents about our country's past.
Historic Homes in Jasper County
Many of the places on the list are old houses that have interesting stories.
Thomas Arthur House
The Thomas Arthur House is located at 322 N. 8th Ave., E. in Newton, Iowa. It was added to the list on October 7, 1982. This house is a great example of the homes built in Newton many years ago.
August H. Bergman House
You can find the August H. Bergman House at 629 1st Ave. E. in Newton, Iowa. This house became a historic place on July 13, 1989. It shows us the style of homes from its time.
J.G. and Regina Long House
The J.G. and Regina Long House is a beautiful old home. It was first listed on the National Register on April 14, 1997, when it was near Monroe. In 2013, this house was carefully moved to its current spot at 8628 S. 104th Ave. W., south of Prairie City, Iowa. It's a great example of Italianate architecture.
James Norman Hall House
The James Norman Hall House is in Colfax, Iowa, at 416 E. Howard St. It was added to the list on July 12, 1984. This house is special because it was the home of James Norman Hall, a famous writer.
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Important Buildings and Districts
Beyond homes, other buildings and even whole areas are recognized for their history.
Emerson Hough Elementary School
The Emerson Hough Elementary School at 700 N. 4th Ave., E. in Newton, Iowa was listed on October 24, 2002. It's an important part of the community's history and education.
Jasper County Courthouse
The Jasper County Courthouse is a very important building in Newton, Iowa. It's located on 1st Ave. between W. 1st St. and W. 2nd St. This courthouse was added to the National Register on July 2, 1981. It's where many important decisions for the county have been made over the years.
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is a historic church in Newton, Iowa, at 223 E. 4th St., N. It was listed on September 22, 1977. Churches often play a big role in a community's history.
German Evangelical Reformed Church
The German Evangelical Reformed Church is located north of Newton, Iowa. It was added to the list on March 7, 1979. This church tells us about the early settlers and their communities.
Colfax Spring City Commercial Historic District
The Colfax Spring City Commercial Historic District includes a whole area in Colfax, Iowa. It's roughly from Division to Front Streets, between Elm and Locust Streets. This district was recognized on November 5, 2018. It shows what the town's business area looked like in the past.
Newton Downtown Historic District
The Newton Downtown Historic District is the heart of Newton, Iowa, centered around Courthouse Square. It was added to the list on September 22, 2014. This area has many historic buildings that make up the town's main street.
First Avenue East Historic District
Another important area in Newton, Iowa is the First Avenue East Historic District. It includes addresses from 415–629 1st Ave. East and 5–10 Cardinal Ct. This district was listed on December 7, 2020, showing how the neighborhood developed.
First Avenue West Historic District
Also listed on December 7, 2020, is the First Avenue West Historic District in Newton, Iowa. This district covers 414–622 1st Ave. West, preserving the look and feel of this historic street.
Other Historic Sites
Not all historic places are buildings. Some are natural areas or structures like bridges and mills.
Byal Orchard Historic District
The Byal Orchard Historic District is located on W. 108th St., about 1.5 miles south of its junction with Iowa Highway 223, near Mingo, Iowa. This district was listed on October 28, 1994. It's a historic orchard, showing how farming was done in the past.
Fred Maytag Park Historic District
Fred Maytag Park Historic District is a park located at 301 S. 22nd Ave., W. in Newton, Iowa. It became a historic district on November 10, 2010. Parks can also be historic, showing how communities created green spaces for people to enjoy.
Lynnville Mill and Dam
The Lynnville Mill and Dam is an old mill and dam on East St. in Lynnville, Iowa. It was added to the National Register on November 25, 1977. Mills were very important long ago for grinding grain.
Red Bridge
The Red Bridge is a historic bridge over the South Skunk River on County Road S74, near Monroe, Iowa. It was listed on May 15, 1998. Old bridges are important examples of engineering from the past.
