National Register of Historic Places listings in Madison County, Illinois facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about the old buildings and special places around you? In Madison County, Illinois, there are many historic sites that are super important! These places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list kept by the United States government. It helps protect and celebrate places that tell us about the past.
Madison County has 42 amazing spots on this list. Two of them are even more special. They are called National Historic Landmarks. This means they are super important to the history of the whole country! Let's explore some of these cool places and learn about their stories.
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Cool Historic Places in Alton
The city of Alton has many historic treasures. One of them is the Alton National Cemetery. This cemetery is a quiet place where many brave soldiers are buried. It was listed in 2011.
Another interesting spot is the Alton Military Prison Site. This was once a prison during the American Civil War. It was listed way back in 1974. It reminds us of a tough time in history.
The Christian Hill Historic District is a whole neighborhood in Alton. It's filled with old houses and streets that show how the city used to look. It became a historic district in 1978. Imagine walking through streets that have looked similar for over a hundred years!
The Middletown Historic District is another historic area in Alton. It includes many old buildings and streets. This district helps us see how Alton grew over time. It was added to the list in 1978, with more areas added later.
You can also find the Lyman Trumbull House in Alton. Lyman Trumbull was a very important person in American history. He was a senator who worked with Abraham Lincoln. His house was made a National Historic Landmark in 1975.
The Post House is another old building in Alton. It was listed in 1980. These old houses help us understand how people lived long ago.
Edwardsville's Historic Gems
Edwardsville also has its share of historic places. The Berleman House is a beautiful old home listed in 1980. It shows us the style of homes from a different era.
The Edwardsville Chapter House is another building with a long history. It was added to the list in 1980. These "chapter houses" often belonged to clubs or groups from the past.
The LeClaire Historic District is a special neighborhood in Edwardsville. It was built as a planned community. This means it was designed with a specific idea in mind. It was listed in 1979.
The Madison County Sheriff's House and Jail is a unique building. It was where the sheriff lived and where the jail was located. It tells us about law and order in the past. It became historic in 1980.
The St. Louis Street Historic District is another area in Edwardsville with many old buildings. It was listed in 1983. Walking through this district is like taking a step back in time.
The Benjamin Stephenson House is a very important home in Edwardsville. Benjamin Stephenson was a key figure in early Illinois history. His house was listed in 1980.
Collinsville's Unique History
Collinsville has some truly unique historic sites. One of the most famous is the Brooks Catsup Bottle Water Tower. Yes, it's a water tower shaped like a giant catsup bottle! It's a fun and quirky landmark that was listed in 2002.
Even more important is Cahokia Mounds. This is a huge ancient city built by Native Americans long ago. It's not just a National Register site, but also a World Heritage Site! This means it's important to the whole world. It was listed in 1966. It's a place where you can learn a lot about early American civilizations.
The Collinsville City Hall and Fire Station is another historic building. It shows how important these public services were to the community. It was listed in 2004.
The Miners Institute Building in Collinsville tells a story about the area's mining history. It was a place for miners to gather and learn. It was listed in 1985.
Other Notable Places in Madison County
The Chain of Rocks Bridge is a very cool old bridge. It used to be part of U.S. Route 66, a famous highway. It has a unique bend in the middle! It was listed in 2006.
The Benjamin Godfrey Memorial Chapel is located in Godfrey. It's a beautiful chapel with a lot of history. It was listed in 1979.
The Horseshoe Lake Mound and Village Site near Granite City is another ancient Native American site. It gives us clues about how people lived thousands of years ago. It was listed in 1980.
The Mitchell Archaeological Site is also an important place for learning about ancient cultures. It was listed in 1978.
These are just some of the many fascinating historic places in Madison County. Each one has a story to tell about the past!