National Register of Historic Places listings in Lawrence County, South Dakota facts for kids
Welcome to Lawrence County, South Dakota! This area is full of amazing history, and many of its special places are protected. These places are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a special list of buildings, areas, and sites that are important to the history of the United States.
There are 55 of these cool historic spots in Lawrence County. Two of them are even more special and are called National Historic Landmarks. These landmarks are recognized as being super important to the entire country's history!
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What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places that are worth saving. It's like a hall of fame for old buildings, neighborhoods, and other sites. When a place is added to this list, it means it has a special story to tell about American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.
Being on the National Register helps to celebrate these places and encourages people to protect them. It also means these places might get special help or funding to keep them in good shape. It's a way to make sure future generations can learn from and enjoy these important parts of our past.
Cool Historic Places You Can Find
Lawrence County has many interesting places on the National Register. Let's look at a few examples:
Historic Homes in Spearfish
Many old houses in Spearfish are on the list. These homes show us how people lived long ago.
- The Oliver N. Ainsworth House at 340 Kansas Street was listed in 1990. It's part of a group of buildings that show how Finnish settlers built their homes.
- The Baker Bungalow on 8th Street, listed in 1996, is another example of a historic home.
- The Fayette Cook House and the James A. Corbin House, both listed in 1988 and 1990, are also important old homes in Spearfish. They help us understand the town's past.
- The Webb S. Knight House at 514 7th Street was added in 1989. It's a great example of the architecture from that time.
Deadwood Historic District
One of the most famous places is the Deadwood Historic District. This whole area in Deadwood is a National Historic Landmark, which means it's super important! It was listed way back in 1966. The district includes many buildings within the city limits. Deadwood was a wild and famous mining town during the gold rush, and walking through it today feels like stepping back in time.
Frawley Historic Ranch
The Frawley Historic Ranch, located east of Spearfish, is another National Historic Landmark. It was listed in 1974. This ranch shows us what ranching life was like in the old West. It's a large area that tells the story of farming and ranching in South Dakota.
Historic Buildings in Lead
Lead also has its own Lead Historic District, listed in 1974. This district includes many buildings that show the history of this mining town. The Old Finnish Lutheran Church in Lead, listed in 1985, is a special church that was important to the Finnish community who worked in the mines.
Other Interesting Spots
- The Dakota Tin and Gold Mine near Spearfish, listed in 2005, reminds us of the mining history in the area.
- The Mount Theodore Roosevelt Monument in the Black Hills National Forest near Deadwood, listed in 2005, is a monument dedicated to President Theodore Roosevelt.
- The Spearfish Fisheries Center, listed in 1978, is south of Spearfish. It's a historic fish hatchery that has been raising fish for many years.
- The Spearfish Historic Commercial District includes many old shops and buildings in downtown Spearfish. It was listed in 1975 and shows how businesses operated long ago.
- The St. Onge Schoolhouse and the Saint Onge State Bank in Saint Onge are also on the list, showing the history of education and banking in the region.
Places That Used to Be Listed
Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This can happen if the building is changed too much, or if it's unfortunately destroyed. In Lawrence County, a few places used to be on the list but are not anymore. These include the Robert H. Evans House, the Selbie Building, the James Sunderland House, and the Benjamin F. Walters House. Even if they are no longer listed, they were once recognized for their historical importance.
Images for kids
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The Oliver N. Ainsworth House in Spearfish.
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The Baker Bungalow in Spearfish.
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The Fayette Cook House in Spearfish.
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The James A. Corbin House in Spearfish.
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A view of Deadwood, South Dakota.
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The historic Frawley Ranch.
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The Webb S. Knight House in Spearfish.
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Buildings in Lead, South Dakota.
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The Mount Theodore Roosevelt Monument.
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The Old Finnish Lutheran Church in Lead.
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The Von Bayer Museum at the Spearfish Fisheries Center.
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The Spearfish Historic Commercial District.
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A house on the Walton Ranch.
