National Register of Historic Places listings in Macon County, Illinois facts for kids
This article is about the cool and historic places in Macon County, Illinois, that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These special places are recognized by the United States government because they are important to history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. Think of it like a Hall of Fame for buildings and areas!
You can find 10 different buildings and areas in Macon County that are on this list. There were a couple more once, but they have since been removed.
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What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of places in the United States that are worth saving. These places could be buildings, neighborhoods, archaeological sites, or even ships! Being on the list means they are important to the history of a community, state, or even the whole country. It helps protect them and sometimes provides funding for their care.
Historic Places in Macon County
Most of the historic places in Macon County are in the city of Decatur. Let's explore some of them!
Decatur's Downtown Historic District
The Decatur Downtown Historic District is a special area in the heart of Decatur. It includes many old buildings that show what the city looked like a long time ago. It's roughly bordered by Merchant Street, North Street, Water Street, Wood Street, and Church Street. This district was added to the National Register in 1985.
Decatur Historic District
Another important area is the larger Decatur Historic District. This district covers a bigger part of Decatur and includes many homes and buildings that tell the story of the city's past. It's generally found near Hayward, Eldorado, Church, and Lincoln Park Drive. This district joined the list in 1976.
James Millikin House
The James Millikin House is a beautiful old home located at 125 North Pine Street in Decatur. James Millikin was a very important person in Decatur's history, as he founded Millikin University. His house was added to the National Register in 1974.
Roosevelt Junior High School
Roosevelt Junior High School is an interesting building at 701 West Grand Avenue in Decatur. It's a great example of school architecture from its time. This former school building was recognized for its historical value in 2002.
The Transfer House
The Transfer House is a unique building located at 1 Central Park East in Decatur. It's a landmark in Central Park and has been a gathering spot for many years. It was added to the National Register in 2002.
Trobaugh-Good House
The Trobaugh-Good House is a historic home found at 1495 Brozio Lane in Decatur. This house was added to the list in 1996, showing its importance to the local history and architecture.
Eli Ulery House
Moving outside of Decatur, the Eli Ulery House is located southeast of Mount Zion on County Route 60. This historic house was listed in 1979.
Union Church
The Union Church is a historic church building located about 2.5 miles southeast of Oreana, on Kirby Road. This church has been an important part of its community for a long time and was added to the National Register in 1999.
Wabash Railroad Station and Railway Express Agency
The Wabash Railroad Station and Railway Express Agency building is at 780 East Cerro Gordo Street in Decatur. This building was once a busy train station and a place where packages were sent and received. It's a reminder of the important role railroads played in connecting communities. It was listed in 1994.
West End Historic District
The West End Historic District in Decatur is another large area with many historic homes and buildings. It's roughly bounded by South Fairview Avenue, Park Place, Fairview Park, Westdale Avenue, West Main Street, Glencoe Avenue, and Sunset Avenue. This district was added to the National Register in 2002.
Former Listings
Sometimes, a property is removed from the National Register. This can happen if the building is changed too much, or if it is demolished.
Decatur and Macon County Welfare Home for Girls
This building, also known as Webster Hall, was once located at 736 South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Decatur. It was listed in 1999 but was removed in 2004 because it was demolished in 2003.
Millikin Building
The Millikin Building, at 100 North Water Street in Decatur, was listed in 1979 but was removed just one year later in 1980.
