National Register of Historic Places listings in Los Alamos County, New Mexico facts for kids
This page lists special places in Los Alamos County, New Mexico, that are important to history. These places are officially recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. It's like a special list that helps protect buildings, sites, and objects that tell us about the past.
There are 13 places in Los Alamos County on this list. Two of them are even more important and are called National Historic Landmarks. Many of these sites are also on New Mexico's own list of important cultural places.
Contents
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the United States' historic places worth saving. It's managed by the National Park Service. When a place is on this list, it means it's important for its history, architecture, or what it represents. It helps people learn about the past and protects these places for the future.
National Historic Landmarks
Some places on the National Register are extra special. They are called National Historic Landmarks. These sites are recognized for being important to the history of the entire country, not just one state or county. Los Alamos County has two of these very important landmarks.
New Mexico's Cultural Properties List
Many of the places on the National Register in Los Alamos County are also on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties. This is New Mexico's own list of important historic and cultural sites within the state.
Special Places in Los Alamos County
Here are some of the interesting places in Los Alamos County that are on the National Register:
Bandelier National Monument
Bandelier National Monument is a huge area south of Los Alamos. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1966. This monument protects ancient homes and carvings made by people who lived here long ago. It's a great place to explore history and nature. The monument also reaches into Sandoval and Santa Fe Counties.
Bandelier CCC Historic District
.jpg)
This historic district is part of Bandelier National Monument. It was added to the National Register in 1987. The buildings and structures here were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program during the Great Depression that put young men to work building parks and other public projects. Their work helped create many of the trails and buildings we see at Bandelier today.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
The Los Alamos National Laboratory is another National Historic Landmark in Los Alamos. It was listed in 1966. This laboratory is famous for its role in the Manhattan Project during World War II. Scientists here worked on important research that changed the world.
Historic Roads
Several old roads in Los Alamos are also on the National Register. These include Bayo Road, Grant Road, and Lujan Road. They were added to the list in the early 2000s. These roads are important because they show how the area developed over time. Grant Road and Lujan Road are also on New Mexico's cultural properties list.
United States Post Office-Los Alamos
The Post Office building in Los Alamos, located at 199 Central Park Square, was added to the National Register in 2015. This building is important to the town's history and how people communicated. It's also on New Mexico's cultural properties list.
White Rock Canyon
White Rock Canyon was listed on the National Register in 1990. This beautiful canyon near White Rock is important for its natural features and possibly for ancient sites within it. It is also on New Mexico's cultural properties list.
Protected Archaeological Sites
Several sites in Los Alamos County are on the National Register but their exact locations are kept secret. This is done to protect them from harm. These sites include:
- Chupaderos Canyon Small Structural Site
- Chupaderos Mesa Village
- Guaja Water/Soil Control Site
- Guaje Site
- Pajarito Springs Site
These sites are often ancient places where people lived or left behind important clues about their lives. The Guaje Site and Pajarito Springs Site are also on New Mexico's cultural properties list.
Images for kids
-
This image represents sites whose addresses are restricted to protect them.
-
A petroglyph, or rock carving, found near the Pajarito Springs Site.
