National Register of Historic Places listings in Kittitas County, Washington facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about the oldest and most special buildings or places in your area? In Kittitas County, Washington, there's a list of these amazing spots! They are all part of the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a special club for places that are important to history.
When a place is on this list, it means it has a cool story or shows us how people lived a long time ago. There are 25 different places and areas in Kittitas County that are on this list. One place used to be on the list but was removed later. Let's explore some of these neat historic spots!
Historic Places in Kittitas County
Kittitas County has many interesting places that tell us about its past. From old railroad buildings to historic farms and even entire towns, these sites help us understand the history of Washington state.
Railroad History
Railroads were super important for moving people and goods across the country. Kittitas County has several historic sites related to trains.
Beverly Railroad Bridge
The Beverly Railroad Bridge is a huge bridge that crosses the Columbia River. It was built for the Milwaukee Road railway. This bridge is a great example of old engineering and how trains helped connect different parts of the country. It was added to the list in 1982.
Kittitas Depot
The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad-Kittitas Depot is an old train station in Kittitas. It's located where Railroad Avenue and Main Street meet. This depot was a busy place where people would get on and off trains, and goods would be loaded and unloaded. It was listed in 1992.
South Cle Elum Yard
The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad: South Cle Elum Yard is another important railroad site. It's near Milwaukee Road and Reservoir Canyon Road in South Cle Elum. A "yard" is where trains are stored, repaired, or sorted. This yard was a key part of the railroad system in the area. It became a historic site in 2003.
Milwaukee Road Bunkhouse
Also in South Cle Elum is the Milwaukee Road Bunkhouse. This building at 526 Marie was where railroad workers would sleep and rest. It gives us a peek into the daily lives of the people who kept the trains running. It was added to the list in 1989.
Northern Pacific Railway Passenger Depot
In Ellensburg, you can find the Northern Pacific Railway Passenger Depot at 606 West Third Street. This was another important train station. It served the Northern Pacific Railway, which was a major railroad company. This depot was listed in 1991.
Historic Towns and Districts
Some entire areas or parts of towns are considered historic because they have many old buildings that tell a story together.
Cabin Creek Historic District
West of Easton is the Cabin Creek Historic District. This area was recognized in 1979. Historic districts often include several buildings that show what a community was like in the past.
Downtown Ellensburg Historic District
The heart of Ellensburg has its own historic district. It's roughly bounded by 3rd and 6th Avenues, and Main and Ruby Streets. This area has many old buildings that show the history and growth of Ellensburg. It was listed in 1977.
First Railroad Addition Historic District
Another historic area in Ellensburg is the First Railroad Addition Historic District. This neighborhood, roughly bounded by Tenth Avenue, D Street, Ninth Avenue, and A Street, was likely one of the first areas built up when the railroad came to town. It was added to the list in 1987.
Liberty Historic District
The small town of Liberty has its own historic district, covering both sides of Williams Creek Wagon Road. Liberty is known for its gold mining history, and this district preserves that unique past. It was listed in 1974.
Roslyn Historic District
The town of Roslyn also has a historic district along WA 2E. Roslyn was a coal mining town, and its historic buildings reflect that heritage. This district was recognized in 1978.
Important Buildings and Farms
Many individual buildings and even farms are important enough to be on the National Register.
Cle Elum-Roslyn Beneficial Association Hospital
Located at 505 Power Street in Cle Elum, this hospital was built by a group that helped coal miners and their families. It shows how communities cared for their workers in the past. It became a historic site in 1980.
Dr. Paschal and Agnes Gray House
This beautiful house at 606 North Main Street in Ellensburg belonged to Dr. Paschal and Agnes Gray. Old homes like this often show us the architectural styles and living conditions of people from long ago. It was listed in 1997.
Northwestern Improvement Company Store
In Roslyn, at 1st Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, stands the Northwestern Improvement Company Store. This was likely a company store where miners could buy supplies. It's a reminder of the coal mining industry's influence on the town. It was listed in 1973.
Ramsay House
The Ramsay House at 215 East Ninth in Ellensburg is another historic home. It was added to the register in 1986.
Shoudy House
The Shoudy House, located at 309 West Fifth Avenue in Ellensburg, is also a historic building. It was listed in 1992.
Thorp Grade School
The Thorp Grade School at 10831 North Thorp Highway in Thorp is a historic school building. Old schools like this are important because they show how education has changed over time. It was added to the list in 2009.
Washington State Normal School Building
At 8th Avenue in Ellensburg, you'll find the Washington State Normal School Building. A "normal school" was a place where teachers were trained. This building is now part of Central Washington University and was listed in 1976.
Farms and Parks
Even farms and natural areas can be historic!
Albert Nelson Farmstead
The Albert Nelson Farmstead is on Manastash Road near Ellensburg. This farm gives us a look at how farming was done in the past. It was listed in 1982.
Olmstead Place State Park
About 4 miles east of Ellensburg, near the Kittitas Highway, is Olmstead Place State Park. This park preserves one of the earliest homesteads in the Kittitas Valley. It shows what life was like for pioneer families. It became a historic site in 1971.
Springfield Farm
Springfield Farm is about 9 miles north of Ellensburg. This farm was added to the National Register in 1977.
Other Unique Sites
Some historic places are very unique, like caves or guard stations.
Lake Keechelus Snowshed Bridge
The Lake Keechelus Snowshed Bridge was located on I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass in Hyak. A "snowshed" is a structure built to protect roads or railways from snow and avalanches. Sadly, this bridge was taken down in April 2014, but it was once a historic landmark. It was listed in 1995.
Salmon la Sac Guard Station
North of Cle Elum in the Wenatchee National Forest is the Salmon la Sac Guard Station. This type of station was used by forest rangers to manage and protect the forest. It was listed in 1974.
Tekison Cave
Tekison Cave is a special historic site. Its exact location is kept private to protect it. It was added to the register in 1978.
Thorp Mill
The Thorp Mill is located on Thorp Highway off U.S. 10 in Thorp. A mill is a place where grain is ground into flour. This old mill tells us about the agricultural history of the area. It was listed in 1977.
Former Listings
Sometimes, a place that was once on the National Register of Historic Places is removed. This can happen if the building is changed too much, or if it is no longer there.
John W. Kinkade Farmstead
The John W. Kinkade Farmstead, located near Ellensburg, was listed in 1982. However, it was removed from the list on February 5, 2001.
