National Register of Historic Places listings in Meeker County, Minnesota facts for kids

Location of Meeker County in Minnesota

Welcome to Meeker County, Minnesota! Did you know that some buildings and places here are so special that they are officially recognized as historic? This list tells you all about the amazing places in Meeker County that are on the National Register of Historic Places.

The National Register of Historic Places is like a special club for important buildings, sites, and objects across the United States. When a place is added to this list, it means it's really important to the history of the country, state, or local area. It helps protect these places so future generations can learn from them. In Meeker County, there are 10 such places that have made it onto this important list. One other place was listed before but is no longer there.

Discover Meeker County's Historic Gems

Meeker County is home to many fascinating historic sites. Each one tells a unique story about the past, from old houses to schoolhouses and even a fort! Let's explore some of these cool places.

Henry Ames House: A Builder's Home

The Henry Ames House is a beautiful brick house built in 1888. It belonged to Henry Ames, who was a very important builder in the Litchfield area. Imagine living in a house built by someone who shaped the town!

• Location: Minnesota Highway 24, Litchfield
• Built: 1888
• Added to Register: August 9, 1984

The historic Henry Ames House in Litchfield.

Bridge No. 90980: Crossing the Crow River

Have you ever wondered about old bridges? Bridge No. 90980 is a cool steel bridge built way back in 1899. It uses a special design called a Pratt truss, which was very common for bridges back then. This bridge helps people cross the North Fork of the Crow River near Forest City.

• Location: County Road 190 over the North Fork of the Crow River, Forest City
• Built: 1899
• Added to Register: January 9, 1997

Bridge No. 90980, a historic steel truss bridge.

Brightwood Beach Cottage: An Octagon House

The Brightwood Beach Cottage is super unique because it's an octagon house! That means it has eight sides instead of the usual four. Built in 1889, this cottage was part of a resort. Imagine staying in an eight-sided house for a vacation!

• Location: S. Ripley Drive, Litchfield
• Built: 1889
• Added to Register: May 22, 1978

The unique Brightwood Beach Cottage, an octagon house.

District No. 48 School: Learning in the Past

Imagine going to school in a single room with all the other kids! The District No. 48 School is a one-room schoolhouse made of wood, built in 1870. It's located in Collinwood Township near Dassel. This school gives us a peek into how kids learned over 150 years ago.

• Location: 17757 745th Avenue, Dassel
• Built: 1870
• Added to Register: January 25, 1997

The historic District No. 48 Schoolhouse.

Grand Army of the Republic Hall: A Place for Veterans

The Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Litchfield was built in 1885. It was a meeting place for the Grand Army of the Republic, which was an organization for soldiers who fought in the American Civil War. Today, this historic brick building is part of the Meeker County Historical Society Museum, where you can learn even more about local history.

• Location: 370 N. Marshall Street, Litchfield
• Built: 1885
• Added to Register: May 21, 1975

The Grand Army of the Republic Hall in Litchfield.

Litchfield Commercial Historic District: Downtown History

The Litchfield Commercial Historic District isn't just one building; it's a whole area! It includes many buildings built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. This district shows how Litchfield grew as a center for farming and business. Walking through it is like stepping back in time to see what the town looked like long ago.

• Location: N. Sibley Avenue between Depot and 3rd Streets, Litchfield
• Built: Late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Added to Register: March 1, 1996

Buildings within the Litchfield Commercial Historic District.

Litchfield Opera House: A Stage for the Arts

The Litchfield Opera House was built in 1900. It's a beautiful brick building designed in the Renaissance Revival style. This was a place where people gathered to watch performances, plays, and concerts. It was the entertainment hub of Litchfield!

• Location: 126 N. Marshall Avenue, Litchfield
• Built: 1900
• Added to Register: October 4, 1984

The historic Litchfield Opera House.

Pipe Lake Fort: A Sod Fort's Remnants

The Pipe Lake Fort holds the remains of a very special type of fort: a sod fort! This was one of 12 military forts built in Minnesota in 1863, after the Dakota War of 1862. It's the only sod fort from that time that still has parts remaining today. It's a powerful reminder of a challenging time in Minnesota's history.

• Location: Off County Road 1, Cedar Mills Township, near Cosmos
• Built: 1863
• Added to Register: June 26, 2003

Trinity Episcopal Church: A Carpenter Gothic Masterpiece

The Trinity Episcopal Church in Litchfield is a stunning example of Carpenter Gothic architecture. Built in 1871, it's believed that a famous architect named Richard Upjohn might have designed it. The church's beautiful wooden details make it truly stand out.

• Location: 400 N. Sibley Avenue, Litchfield
• Built: 1871
• Added to Register: June 20, 1975

The beautiful Trinity Episcopal Church.

Universal Laboratories Building: A Scientific Past

The Universal Laboratories Building in Dassel was built in 1937. This facility became super important for processing a plant called ergot to make medicines. This was a new and important scientific effort right before World War II. Today, this building is home to a local history museum, where you can learn about Dassel's past.

• Location: 901 1st Street N., Dassel
• Built: 1937
• Added to Register: March 1, 1996

The Universal Laboratories Building, now a museum.

Former Listing: West End Elevator

Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This happened to the West End Elevator in Dassel. It was a grain elevator built in 1885, but sadly, it burned down in 1987.

• Location: 4th Street and Atlantic Avenue, Dassel
• Built: 1885
• Added to Register: March 14, 1985
• Removed from Register: November 30, 1987