National Register of Historic Places listings in Monroe County, Indiana facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about really old and special buildings or places in your town? In Monroe County, Indiana, there are many such spots! These places are so important that they are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places.
This list helps protect buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. Think of it like a special hall of fame for historic places! When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized as a valuable part of our past. There are 49 amazing places in Monroe County that have made it onto this special list.
Historic Buildings in Bloomington
Many of Monroe County's historic treasures are found in the city of Bloomington.
Important Public Buildings
- Bloomington City Hall: This building, located at 122 S. Walnut St., became a historic site in 1989. It's where important decisions for the city are made.
- Monroe Carnegie Library: Found at 200 E. 6th St., this library was added to the list in 1978. Carnegie libraries were built all over the country with money from a famous businessman named Andrew Carnegie.
- Monroe County Courthouse: Right in the heart of Bloomington's Courthouse Square, this grand building was listed in 1976. It's a central part of the city's history and government.
Cool Old Houses
Many homes in Bloomington have unique stories and designs.
- Elias Abel House: Located at 317 N. Fairview St., this house was recognized in 1982. It's a great example of old homes in the area.
- Blair-Dunning House: You can find this house at 608 W. 3rd St. It joined the list in 1983, showing off its historic charm.
- Cochran-Helton-Lindley House: This house at 405 N. Rogers St. became historic in 1979. It has a long name because different families lived there over time.
- Hinkle-Garton Farmstead: This old farm at 2920 E. 10th St. was listed in 2007. It gives us a peek into how people lived and farmed long ago.
- Legg House: At 324 S. Henderson, the Legg House was added in 2001. It's another example of the beautiful historic homes in Bloomington.
- Millen House: This house at 112 N. Bryan Ave. was listed in 2004. It's a lovely piece of Bloomington's past.
- Morgan House: Located at 532 N. Walnut St., this house was designed by a famous architect, George Franklin Barber, and was listed in 1983.
- J.L. Nichols House and Studio: At 820 N. College Ave., this unique house and studio was recognized in 1984.
- Andrew Wylie House: This house at 307 E. 2nd St. became historic in 1977. It's named after Andrew Wylie, an important figure in the area's history.
Historic Business Buildings
Even old businesses can be historic!
- Cantol Wax Company Building: This building at 211 N. Washington St. was listed in 1990. Imagine all the wax products made here!
- Coca-Cola Bottling Company Plant: At 318 S. Washington St., this old bottling plant was added in 2000. It's where many refreshing drinks were once bottled.
- Home Laundry Company: This building at 300 E. 3rd St. was listed in 2000. It was once a busy place for washing clothes.
- Illinois Central Railroad Freight Depot: Located at 301 N. Morton St., this old train station building was recognized in 1983. It played a big role in moving goods.
- Johnson's Creamery: At 400 W. 7th St., this creamery was listed in 1996. It's a reminder of local food production.
- Princess Theatre: This old movie theater at 206 N. Walnut St. was listed in 1983. Imagine all the movies people watched here!
- Wicks Building: Found at 116 W. 6th St., the Wicks Building became historic in 1983. It's a classic downtown building.
- Woolery Stone Company: At 2295 W. Tapp Rd., this stone company was listed in 2002. Monroe County is famous for its limestone, and this company was a big part of that history.
Special Historic Areas (Districts)
Sometimes, a whole group of buildings or an area is considered historic. These are called "historic districts."
- Bloomington West Side Historic District: This area, roughly bounded by W. 10th, N. Morton, W. 4th, and N. Adams Sts., was listed in 1997. It shows how a neighborhood grew over time.
- Courthouse Square Historic District: This important area around the Monroe County Courthouse was listed in 1990. It's the historic heart of Bloomington.
- North Washington Street Historic District: This district, roughly bounded by E. 10th, E. 8th, N. Walnut, and N. Lincoln Sts., was added in 1991.
- The Old Crescent: This part of the Indiana University campus was listed in 1980. It includes some of the oldest and most beautiful buildings at the university.
- Prospect Hill Historic District: Roughly bounded by 3rd, Rogers, Smith, and Jackson Sts., this district was recognized in 1991.
- Steele Dunning Historic District: This area, roughly bounded by Maple St., Kirkwood Ave., Rogers St., and W. 3rd St., was listed in 2000.
- University Courts Historic District: Roughly bounded by 7th St., Indiana Ave., 10th St., and Woodlawn Ave., this district was added in 2007.
- Vinegar Hill Historic District: This area, including E. 1st St. from Woodlawn to Jordan and S. Sheridan to E. Maxwell, was listed in 2005.
Historic Places Outside Bloomington
Monroe County has historic spots beyond Bloomington too!
In Ellettsville
- Ellettsville Downtown Historic District: The downtown area of Ellettsville, roughly bounded by Main, Sale, Walnut, and Association Sts., was listed in 2006. It shows the history of this smaller town.
Rural Historic Sites
- Honey Creek School: This old school building, northeast of Bloomington on Low Gap Rd., was listed in 1978. It reminds us of how kids used to learn in one-room schoolhouses.
- John F. and Malissa Koontz House: Southwest of Bloomington on S. Mount Zion Rd., this house was recognized in 2014.
- Maple Grove Road Rural Historic District: This district includes Maple Grove Rd. from Beanblossom Creek to State Road 46 northwest of Bloomington. It was listed in 1998 and shows the history of farming and rural life.
- Matthews Stone Company Historic District: North of Ellettsville, this area at 6293 N. Matthews Dr. and 6445 W. Maple Grove Rd. was listed in 2013. It highlights the importance of the stone industry in the region.
- Leroy Mayfield House: West of Bloomington at 110 N. Oard Rd., this house was added to the list in 1994.
- Joseph Mitchell House: West of Smithville at 7008 Ketcham Rd., this house was listed in 1986.
- Secrest Ferry Bridge: This bridge over the West Fork of the White River, south of Gosport, was listed in 1996. Bridges are important for connecting communities.
- Stinesville Commercial Historic District: In Stinesville, this district includes buildings on W. Main St. and was listed in 1995.
- Daniel Stout House: Northwest of Bloomington on Maple Grove Rd., this house was recognized in 1973.
Ancient Sites (Archaeological)
Some historic places are much, much older, showing us where ancient people lived.
- Ennis Archaeological Site (12 OW 229): This site is restricted, meaning its exact location is kept secret to protect it. It was listed in 1985 and tells us about early human activity. It even extends into Owen County!
- Epsilon II Archeological Site (12MO133): Also a restricted site, this one was listed in 1986.
- Kappa V Archeological Site (12MO301): Another restricted archaeological site, listed in 1986. These sites help scientists learn about the very first people who lived in this area.
A Place That Was Once Listed
Sometimes, a place might be removed from the National Register if it changes too much or is no longer considered historic.
- St. John's Lutheran Church: This church near Ellettsville was listed in 1982 but was later removed in 1991.
Images for kids
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The Elias Abel House.
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The Blair-Dunning House.
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The old Bloomington City Hall.
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A street view in the Bloomington West Side Historic District.
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The Cantol Wax Company Building.
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The Coca-Cola Bottling Company Plant.
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The Cochran-Helton-Lindley House.
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The Monroe County Courthouse, part of the Courthouse Square Historic District.
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A view of downtown Ellettsville.
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The Ennis Archaeological Site.
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The Epsilon II Archaeological Site.
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The Hinkle-Garton Farmstead.
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The Home Laundry Company building.
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The historic Honey Creek School.
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The Illinois Central Railroad Freight Depot.
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The Johnson's Creamery building.
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An overview of the Kappa V Archaeological Site.
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The John F. and Malissa Koontz House.
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The Legg House.
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A barn along Maple Grove Road, part of the rural historic district.
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The Matthews Stone Company Historic District.
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The Leroy Mayfield House.
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The Millen House.
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The Millen-Chase-McCalla House.
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The Joseph Mitchell House.
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The Monroe Carnegie Library.
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The Morgan House.
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The J.L. Nichols House and Studio.
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A street in the North Washington Street Historic District.
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The Student Building at Indiana University, part of The Old Crescent.
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The Princess Theatre.
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A street in the Prospect Hill Historic District.
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The Second Baptist Church.
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The Secrest Ferry Bridge.
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Seminary Square Park.
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A street in the Steele Dunning Historic District.
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A building in the Stinesville Commercial Historic District.
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The Daniel Stout House.
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A street in the University Courts Historic District.
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A street in the Vinegar Hill Historic District.
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The Wicks Building.
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The entrance to the Woolery Stone Company.
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The Andrew Wylie House.
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St. John's Lutheran Church (former listing).
