National Register of Historic Places listings in Jefferson County, Indiana facts for kids
Welcome to Jefferson County, Indiana! Did you know that some buildings and places here are so special that they are officially recognized as important parts of American history? These places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's like a special club for historic buildings, districts, and sites across the United States.
In Jefferson County, there are 13 amazing properties and areas that have made it onto this list. Four of these are even more important and are called National Historic Landmarks. This means they are truly unique and tell a big part of our nation's story!
This list will help you discover these cool historic spots. You'll see where each one is located, whether it's in a town like Madison or a smaller area like Madison Township.
Cool Historic Places in Jefferson County, Indiana
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places (often called the NRHP) is the official list of places in the United States that are worth saving. These places might be buildings, structures, objects, or even entire neighborhoods. They are important because of their history, architecture, or what they mean to a community.
When a place is added to the National Register, it helps protect it and makes people more aware of its value. It also means these places can sometimes get special funding to help keep them in good shape.
A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is an even higher honor! These are places that are considered to be of national importance. They tell stories that are significant to all of America, not just one state or county. Jefferson County is lucky to have four of these!
Exploring Jefferson County's Historic Gems
Here's a look at the special places in Jefferson County that are on the National Register of Historic Places:
- Lemuel Allen Farm
- Location: Madison Township
- Listed: June 7, 2016
- This historic farm gives us a peek into how people lived and farmed in the past.
- Crawford-Whitehead-Ross House
- Location: Madison
- Listed: November 27, 1992
- This house is a beautiful example of older architecture in Madison.
- Crowe-Garritt House
- Location: Hanover
- Listed: November 10, 1980
- Another historic home, showing the style of buildings from long ago.
- Eleutherian College
- Location: Lancaster Township
- Listed: December 15, 1993
- This is a National Historic Landmark! Eleutherian College was very important because it was one of the first colleges in the U.S. to accept students regardless of their race or gender. It played a big role in the fight for equality.
- Thomas A. Hendricks Library
- Location: Hanover Township
- Listed: February 26, 1982
- This library is part of Hanover College, one of the oldest colleges in Indiana.
- Lyman and Asenath Hoyt House
- Location: Lancaster Township
- Listed: September 28, 2003
- This house is another historic building in the Lancaster Township area.
- Jefferson County Jail
- Location: Madison
- Listed: June 18, 1973
- Even old jails can be historic! This building shows us what public buildings looked like in the past.
- Lanier Mansion
- Location: Madison
- Listed: April 19, 1994
- This is a National Historic Landmark! The Lanier Mansion is a stunning example of Greek Revival architecture. It was built by James F. D. Lanier, a wealthy banker who helped fund Indiana's government during the Civil War.
- Madison Historic District
- Location: Madison
- Listed: May 25, 1973
- This is also a National Historic Landmark! It's not just one building, but a whole area of Madison that is historic. The district includes many old homes, businesses, and streets that show what life was like in the 19th century. Madison was a very important port city on the Ohio River.
- Oakdale School
- Location: Monroe Township
- Listed: May 14, 1993
- This old school building reminds us of how education used to happen in rural areas.
- St. Stephen's African Methodist Episcopal Church
- Location: Hanover
- Listed: December 28, 2000
- This church is important for its role in the local African American community and its history.
- Charles L. Shrewsbury House
- Location: Madison
- Listed: April 19, 1994
- This is another National Historic Landmark! The Shrewsbury House is famous for its unique and beautiful spiral staircase, which is a marvel of engineering and design from the 1800s.
- Mathias Wolf Farm
- Location: Madison Township
- Listed: June 7, 2016
- Like the Lemuel Allen Farm, this farm shows us the agricultural history of the area.
These historic places help us understand the past and appreciate the rich history of Jefferson County, Indiana!
