National Register of Historic Places listings in Johnston County, North Carolina facts for kids

Johnston County is in North Carolina.

Welcome to Johnston County, North Carolina! This area is home to many special places that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect buildings, sites, and districts that are important to American history. Think of it like a special hall of fame for historic spots!

These places are chosen because they tell us about the past. They might be old houses, schools, battlefields, or even whole neighborhoods. By keeping them safe, we can learn about how people lived long ago and what events shaped our communities.

What are Historic Places?

Historic places are buildings, areas, or sites that have a special meaning because of their history, architecture, or what happened there. When a place is added to the National Register of Historic Places, it means it's recognized as important to the history of the United States. This can help protect it from being changed or torn down.

Why are These Places Important?

These historic sites in Johnston County help us understand the past. They show us how people lived, worked, and built their communities over many years. Visiting them is like stepping back in time!

• Learning History: Many places are important because of events that happened there, like battles or important meetings.
• Seeing Old Buildings: Some are great examples of old architecture, showing how buildings were designed and built in the past.
• Understanding Culture: They can also tell us about the culture and daily life of people from different times.

Historic Sites in Johnston County

Johnston County has many interesting historic places. Let's explore some of them!

Bentonville Battlefield

The Bentonville Battlefield is a very important site. It was the location of the largest battle ever fought in North Carolina during the American Civil War. This battle happened in March 1865. It was one of the last major battles of the war.

• Location: South of Princeton, near U.S. 701.
• What it is: A state historic site where you can learn about the battle and see where soldiers fought.
• Why it's important: It helps us remember and understand a key moment in American history.

Historic Homes and Buildings

Many old houses and buildings in Johnston County are on the National Register. These places show us how people lived and worked in the past.

Atkinson-Smith House

The Atkinson-Smith House is an old home located east of Smithfield. It was added to the list in 1975.

Boyette Slave House

The Boyette Slave House, northwest of Kenly, is a reminder of a difficult time in history. It helps us learn about the lives of enslaved people.

Harper House

The Harper House is another historic home near Princeton. It was listed in 1970.

Noah Edward Edgerton House

This house in Selma was recognized in 1982. It's an example of historic architecture in the town.

Ellington-Ellis Farm

The Ellington-Ellis Farm near Clayton was added to the list in 1983. It shows us what old farm life was like.

Hastings-McKinnie House

Located in Princeton, this house was listed in 1983.

Hood-Strickland House

This historic house in Smithfield was recognized in 1990.

Walter R. and Eliza Smith Moore House

This house in Clayton was added to the list in 2005.

Nowell-Mayerburg-Oliver House

Another historic home in Selma, listed in 1982.

Sanders-Hairr House

This house south of Clayton was listed in 1971.

William E. Smith House

Located in Selma, this house was recognized in 1982.

Stallings-Carpenter House

This house near Clayton was added to the list in 1983.

Everitt P. Stevens House

Another historic home near Selma, listed in 1982.

Watson-Sanders House

This house near Smithfield was recognized in 2001.

Important Public Buildings

Some public buildings, like schools and courthouses, are also historic.

Clayton Banking Company Building

This building in Clayton, listed in 1996, shows us what old banks looked like.

Clayton Graded School and Clayton Grammar School-Municipal Auditorium

These school buildings in Clayton, listed in 2001, tell us about education in the past.

Cleveland School

The Cleveland School in Clayton was recognized in 2005.

Former United States Post Office (Smithfield)

This old post office building in Smithfield, listed in 1993, is a cool example of historic government buildings.

Richard B. Harrison School

This school in Selma was added to the list in 2012.

Princeton Graded School

The Princeton Graded School was recognized in 2005.

Johnston County Courthouse

The courthouse in Smithfield, listed in 1979, is where important legal decisions have been made for many years.

Smithfield Masonic Lodge

This building in Smithfield, listed in 2007, was once a meeting place for a fraternal organization.

Union Station (Selma)

Union Station in Selma, listed in 1982, is an old train station. It reminds us of how people used to travel.

Historic Districts

Sometimes, not just one building, but a whole area or neighborhood is considered historic. These are called historic districts.

Benson Historic District

This district in Benson includes many historic buildings, showing what the town looked like long ago. It was listed in 1985.

Brooklyn Historic District

This historic area in Smithfield was recognized in 2000.

Clayton Historic District

This district in Clayton, listed in 2010, includes many important historic buildings in the town.

Downtown Selma Historic District

The downtown area of Selma has many historic buildings, recognized as a district in 2010.

Downtown Smithfield Historic District

The downtown area of Smithfield, listed in 1993, has many old buildings that tell the story of the town's growth.

Four Oaks Commercial Historic District

This district in Four Oaks, listed in 2006, shows what the business area of the town was like in the past.

North Smithfield Historic District

Another historic area in Smithfield, recognized in 2000.

West Selma Historic District

This district in Selma was added to the list in 2011.

Historic Churches

Churches often play a big role in a community's history.

Hannah's Creek Primitive Baptist Church

This church near Benson was listed in 1991.

Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church

Located near Brogden, this church was recognized in 2008.

Images for kids

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  The Bentonville Battleground State Historic Site.

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  The Clayton Banking Company Building.

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  A street view in the Clayton Historic District.

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  A building in the Downtown Smithfield Historic District.

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  The Harper House.

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  The Hood Brothers Building in Smithfield.

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  The Hood-Strickland House.

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  The Johnston County Courthouse.

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  The former US Post Office in Smithfield.

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  Union Station in Selma.

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  The Smithfield Masonic Lodge.