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National Register of Historic Places listings in Madison County, Alabama facts for kids

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Map of Alabama highlighting Madison County
Location of Madison County in Alabama

Welcome to Madison County, Alabama! Did you know that this area is home to many amazing old buildings and places? These special spots are so important that they are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. It's like a special list of treasures that we want to keep safe for future generations.

In Madison County, there are 87 different places and areas on this list. Six of these are even more special and are called National Historic Landmarks. They are super important to the history of the whole country!


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 objects. They are important because they tell us stories about our past. They might be linked to important events, famous people, or show special ways of building things.

When a place is added to this list, it means it's recognized for its historical value. This helps protect it and can even provide money to help fix it up. It's all about making sure these pieces of history don't disappear!

Exploring Madison County's Historic Treasures

Madison County has a rich history, from early settlements to its role in the space race. Let's look at some of the cool places on the National Register.

Historic Buildings and Homes

Many old homes and buildings in Madison County have amazing stories.

Alabama A&M University Historic District

Alabama A&M Hill Dec10
Alabama A&M University Historic District

The Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University Historic District is a special area on the university campus. It was added to the list in 2001. This district includes some of the oldest and most important buildings at the university. It reminds us of the long history of education in Alabama.

James H. Bibb House

James H. Bibb House May 2011 01
The historic James H. Bibb House

The James H. Bibb House is located in Madison, Alabama. This house was built a long time ago and was added to the National Register in 1984. It's a great example of the kind of homes people lived in back then.

William Burritt Mansion

William Burritt Mansion Highsmith 02
The beautiful William Burritt Mansion

The William Burritt Mansion is part of "Burritt on the Mountain" in Huntsville. It was listed in 1992. This mansion offers a peek into the past and how people lived in the area. It's also known for its amazing views!

Joel Eddins House

Joel Eddins House
The historic Joel Eddins House

The Joel Eddins House is another old home listed in 1996. Interestingly, this house was moved in 2007 from a different county to its current spot in Huntsville. It shows how much people care about saving these historic structures.

Important Churches and Community Places

Churches and other community buildings often play a big part in a town's history.

Church of the Visitation

Church of the Visitation Huntsville Dec2009 01
The Church of the Visitation

The Church of the Visitation is a beautiful old church in Huntsville. It was added to the National Register in 1980. Churches like this are not just places of worship but also important parts of a community's story.

Episcopal Church of the Nativity

Episcopal Church of the Nativity Huntsville March 2013 1
Episcopal Church of the Nativity

The Episcopal Church of the Nativity is another significant church in Huntsville. It was listed in 1974 and is even a National Historic Landmark! This means it's super important to the history of the entire country.

New Market Presbyterian Church

New Market Presbyterian Church Feb 2012 02
New Market Presbyterian Church

In the town of New Market, you'll find the New Market Presbyterian Church. This church, listed in 1988, is a key part of the town's history and community life.

Historic Districts: Whole Neighborhoods with Stories

Sometimes, it's not just one building that's historic, but a whole group of them! These are called historic districts.

Dallas Mill Village Historic District

500s O'Shaughnessy Ave Oct October 2011
Homes in the Dallas Mill Village Historic District

The Dallas Mill Village Historic District in Huntsville was added to the list in 2011. This area was once a village for workers at the Dallas Mill. It shows how people lived and worked in the past, especially during the time when textile mills were very important.

Five Points Historic District

703 & 705 Ward Ave Huntsville Oct 2011
A street in the Five Points Historic District

Huntsville's Five Points Historic District was listed in 2012. This neighborhood has many historic homes and buildings that show different styles of architecture from over the years. It's a great place to walk around and imagine what life was like long ago.

Gurley Historic District

Old Gurley Town Hall Feb 2012 02
The Old Gurley Town Hall in the Gurley Historic District

The town of Gurley also has its own Gurley Historic District, listed in 2004. This district includes several streets with historic buildings, giving visitors a sense of the town's past.

Twickenham Historic District

Weeden House July 2010 01
A historic home in the Twickenham Historic District

One of the oldest and most famous historic districts in Huntsville is the Twickenham Historic District. It was first listed way back in 1973! This area is known for its beautiful old homes, many of which are from the 1800s. It's like stepping back in time!

Space Exploration Landmarks

Madison County, especially Huntsville, is famous for its role in space exploration. Some of these sites are so important they are National Historic Landmarks!

Neutral Buoyancy Space Simulator

Neutral Buoyancy Space Simulator
The Neutral Buoyancy Space Simulator

At the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, you'll find the Neutral Buoyancy Space Simulator. This amazing facility was used to train astronauts for missions in space. It was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1985. Imagine practicing for space underwater!

Propulsion and Structural Test Facility

Propulsion and Structural Test Facility
The Propulsion and Structural Test Facility

Also at the Marshall Space Flight Center is the Propulsion and Structural Test Facility. This site, listed in 1985, was crucial for testing rocket engines and parts. It helped make sure rockets were safe and powerful enough to go to space.

Redstone Test Stand

Redstone Test Stand
The Redstone Test Stand

The Redstone Test Stand is another National Historic Landmark at the Marshall Space Flight Center, listed in 1976. This is where the powerful Redstone rockets were tested. These rockets were very important in the early days of the American space program.

Saturn V Dynamic Test Stand

Dynamic Structural Test Facility
The Saturn V Dynamic Test Stand

The Saturn V Dynamic Test Stand is a huge structure at the Marshall Space Flight Center. It was used to test the mighty Saturn V rocket, which took astronauts to the Moon! This landmark was listed in 1985.

Saturn V Space Vehicle

Davidson Center-27527-1
The impressive Saturn V Space Vehicle

Last but not least, the actual Saturn V Space Vehicle itself is a National Historic Landmark! It's located at Tranquility Base in Huntsville and was listed in 1978. This incredible rocket is a symbol of human ingenuity and exploration.

Why are these places important to kids?

These historic places are like giant storybooks. They help us understand how people lived, worked, and played in the past. By visiting them, you can imagine what life was like for kids your age many years ago. They also teach us about important events and how our communities grew. Protecting these sites means we can keep learning from them for a long, long time!

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