National Register of Historic Places listings in Marion County, Ohio facts for kids
Welcome to Marion County, Ohio! Did you know that this county is home to many special places that are protected because of their history? These places are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. It's like a special list of important buildings, sites, and objects across the United States.
This article will tell you about the 18 amazing places in Marion County that are on this list. One of them is even more special; it's a National Historic Landmark! You can even see where these places are on a map if you look up their coordinates online. Let's explore some of Marion County's coolest historic spots!
Contents
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worth saving. It's part of a program by the United States government. This program helps us identify and protect important buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts.
Why are places listed?
Places get listed because they are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is listed, it means it's recognized as a valuable part of our past. This recognition can also help protect it from being destroyed or changed.
What is a National Historic Landmark?
A National Historic Landmark is an even higher honor! It means a place has exceptional national importance. There are only about 2,600 National Historic Landmarks in the entire United States. Marion County is proud to have one of these very special places.
Historic Places in Marion County
Marion County has many interesting places on the National Register. Let's take a closer look at some of them.
Homes and Buildings with History
Many of the listed places are old homes or important buildings. They tell us stories about the people who lived and worked there long ago.
Warren G. Harding House
This house is located at 380 Mount Vernon Avenue in Marion. It was the home of Warren G. Harding before he became the 29th President of the United States. This house is so important that it's the only National Historic Landmark in Marion County! It was added to the list on October 15, 1966. You can visit it and learn about President Harding's life.
George W. King Mansion - Etowah
Found at 429 Mount Vernon Avenue in Marion, this grand mansion is known as "Etowah." It's a beautiful example of old architecture. The mansion was added to the Register on November 22, 1995. It shows us how important homes were built in the past.
Hotel Harding
Located at 267 West Center Street in Marion, the Hotel Harding was once a busy and important hotel. It was listed on March 11, 1980. Hotels like this were central to city life, hosting travelers and events.
Bretz Farm
The Bretz Farm is located east of Morral, at 197 Morral-Kirkpatrick Road, in Grand Prairie Township. This farm was recognized on January 8, 1980. Historic farms like this show us how people lived and worked the land in earlier times.
Important Public Buildings
Some of the listed places are buildings where important community activities happened.
Marion County Courthouse
The Marion County Courthouse stands at 100 North Main Street in Marion. This building is where many important decisions for the county are made. It was added to the Register on July 25, 1974. Courthouses often have grand designs and are central to a city's history.
Old U.S. Post Office
You can find the Old U.S. Post Office at 169 East Church Street in Marion. This building, listed on November 28, 1990, served as a vital link for communication. Post offices were once the main way people sent messages and packages.
Marion County Telephone Company Building
Located at 197 South Main Street in Marion, this building was once home to the Marion County Telephone Company. It was listed on April 12, 2007. This building reminds us of the early days of telephone communication and how it changed our lives.
Marion Township Sub-District No. 8 School
This historic school building is at 2473 State Route 4 North, just north of Marion, in Marion Township. It was added to the Register on February 7, 2007. Old schoolhouses like this show us what education was like for kids many years ago.
Unique Structures and Sites
Not all historic places are buildings. Some are bridges, monuments, or even specific sites.
Caledonia Bowstring Bridge
North of Caledonia, in Claridon Township, you'll find the Caledonia Bowstring Bridge. This special bridge was listed on May 23, 1978. Bowstring bridges are a unique type of bridge design, and this one is a great example of engineering from the past.
Palace Theatre
The Palace Theatre is located at 272 West Center Street in Marion. This beautiful theater was listed on March 26, 1976. Theaters like the Palace were once the main place for entertainment, showing movies and live performances.
Harding Tomb
Within the Marion Cemetery, you'll find the Harding Tomb. This monument is the final resting place of President Warren G. Harding and his wife, Florence. It was listed on June 16, 1976. It's a place of quiet reflection and remembrance.
Marion Cemetery Receiving Vault
Also in the Marion Cemetery, at 620 Delaware Avenue, is the Marion Cemetery Receiving Vault. It was listed on December 13, 1995. Receiving vaults were used to temporarily store bodies before burial, especially during winter months when the ground was frozen.
Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Chapel
This chapel is on the eastern side of State Route 423, inside the Marion Cemetery. It was listed on March 9, 1995. This chapel serves as a memorial to soldiers and sailors, honoring their service and sacrifice.
Wyatt's Tavern - Fort Morrow Site
This historic site is along the Olentangy River, about 1 mile north of Norton, in Waldo Township. It was listed on December 22, 1978. This location is important because it includes the site of an old tavern and Fort Morrow, which played a role in early American history.
Why is it important to protect these places?
Protecting these historic places helps us understand our past. They are like giant history books that we can walk through and experience. By saving them, we make sure that future generations, like you, can also learn from and enjoy these important parts of our heritage. It helps us connect with the people and events that shaped Marion County and the United States.
