National Register of Historic Places listings in Mayes County, Oklahoma facts for kids
This article is about special places in Mayes County, Oklahoma that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are important spots that the United States government wants to protect because of their history. Think of it like a national "cool places" list!
The National Register of Historic Places is a list of buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized as a valuable part of our past.
In Mayes County, Oklahoma, there are 6 places that have made it onto this special list. You can even see where some of them are on a map if their exact location is shared.
Historic Places in Mayes County
Let's explore some of the amazing historic places you can find in Mayes County. Each one tells a unique story about the past!
Cabin Creek Battlefield
The Cabin Creek Battlefield is a very important historical site located about 3 miles north of Pensacola, Oklahoma. This area was the scene of two major battles during the American Civil War. These battles happened in 1863 and 1864. They were important because they involved Native American soldiers fighting for both sides, and they showed how the war affected this part of the country. It's a place where you can imagine the sounds and sights of a long-ago conflict.
Farmers and Merchants Bank
In the town of Chouteau, Oklahoma, you'll find the old Farmers and Merchants Bank building at 201 West Main Street. This building was added to the National Register in 1983. It's a great example of the kind of buildings that were important for business and community life in the early 20th century. Banks like this helped towns grow and thrive.
Lewis Ross/Cherokee Orphan Asylum Springhouse
Near Salina, Oklahoma, off State Highway 20, is the Lewis Ross/Cherokee Orphan Asylum Springhouse. This unique building was listed in 1983. A springhouse is a small building built over a natural spring. People used them to keep food cool before refrigerators existed! This particular springhouse is connected to Lewis Ross, a famous Cherokee leader, and the Cherokee Orphan Asylum, which cared for children. It shows us how people lived and how communities helped each other a long time ago.
Pensacola Dam
The Pensacola Dam is a huge and impressive structure that crosses the Grand River. You can find it on State Highway 28, near Langley, Oklahoma. This dam was built in the early 1940s and is a major engineering marvel. It creates the beautiful Grand Lake o' the Cherokees, which is a popular spot for recreation. The dam provides electricity and helps control floods, showing how human ingenuity can change the landscape for many purposes. It was added to the Register in 2003.
Territorial Commercial District
Also in Chouteau, Oklahoma, the Territorial Commercial District on Main Street is a historic area that was recognized in 1983. A "commercial district" means a part of town where businesses are located. "Territorial" refers to the time before Oklahoma became a state, when it was still a U.S. territory. This district gives us a peek into what shopping and business areas looked like when Oklahoma was just starting to grow.
Union Mission Site
About 5 miles northeast of Mazie, Oklahoma, is the Union Mission Site. This site was listed on the National Register in 1971. A mission site is a place where missionaries, often from religious groups, established communities to live and work with local people, sometimes teaching and providing services. The Union Mission was one of the earliest missions in what would become Oklahoma, playing a role in the history of education and interaction between different cultures in the region.
