National Register of Historic Places listings in Monroe County, West Virginia facts for kids

Location of Monroe County in West Virginia

Have you ever wondered about the oldest and most special places in your community? In Monroe County, West Virginia, there are many buildings, bridges, and areas that are so important they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list kept by the United States government. It helps protect places that tell us about history.

When a place is on this list, it means it's a valuable part of our country's story. It could be an old house, a unique bridge, or even a whole neighborhood. These places are recognized for their history, architecture, or how they connect to important events. Monroe County is home to 25 such amazing sites!

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is like a hall of fame for historic sites across the United States. It's managed by the National Park Service. The main goal is to help people understand and protect important parts of our past.

When a place is added to the Register, it gets special recognition. This can help with getting grants to fix up old buildings. It also means that big government projects usually can't harm these historic sites. It's a way to make sure these treasures last for future generations.

Exploring Monroe County's Historic Treasures

Monroe County has a rich history, and its historic places show us different parts of that past. From old bridges to grand homes and entire historic neighborhoods, each site has a story. Let's take a closer look at some of these special places.

Bridges and Mills

Some of Monroe County's listed sites are important for how people traveled and worked long ago.

• The Alderson Bridge is a beautiful bridge in Alderson. It crosses the Greenbrier River and was added to the Register in 1991.
• Cook's Mill in Greenville is another historic site. Mills were very important for grinding grain into flour in the past. This one was listed in 1989.
• The Indian Creek Covered Bridge near Salt Sulphur Springs is a charming old covered bridge. It was built to protect the wooden structure from the weather. It became historic in 1975.
• The Laurel Creek Covered Bridge near Lillydale is another example of these unique bridges. It was added to the list in 1981.
• Reed's Mill in Second Creek is also recognized. Mills like these were central to community life. It was listed in 1993.
• The Nickell Homestead and Mill near Ronceverte includes both a historic home and a mill. It shows how families lived and worked together. This site was added in 1998.

Important Homes and Farms

Many of the historic listings in Monroe County are old homes and farms. These places often belonged to important people or show us how people lived centuries ago.

• The Byrnside-Beirne-Johnson House is south of Union. It was listed in 1993.
• The Clarence Campbell House is also in Union. It was added to the Register in 1995.
• The William Gaston Caperton Jr. House is east of Union. It became a historic site in 1991.
• The Brig. Gen. John Echols House is in Union. It was listed in 1985.
• Elmwood is a historic home north of Union. It has been on the Register since 1976.
• The Wallace Estill Sr. House is another historic home near Union. It was listed in 1984.
• The McNeer House is located at Gin Run near Salt Sulphur Springs. It was added in 1991.
• The Miller-Pence Farm is west of Greenville. This farm was recognized in 2006.
• Spring Valley Farm is northeast of Union. It was listed in 1974.
• Sunset Hill in Alderson is another historic home. It was added to the Register in 2000.
• Walnut Grove is north of Union. This historic property was listed in 1977.

Historic Districts

Sometimes, it's not just one building that's important, but a whole area. These are called "historic districts." They include many buildings that together tell a story about a town or community.

• The Alderson Historic District covers a large part of Alderson. It includes many streets and buildings that show the town's history. It was listed in 1993.
• The Lynnside Historic District is in Sweet Springs. This area was recognized in 1991.
• The Pickaway Rural Historic District is between U.S. Route 219 and West Virginia Route 3 near Union. It shows the historic rural landscape. It was added in 1999.
• The Salt Sulphur Springs Historic District is along U.S. Route 219. This area was once a popular resort. It became a historic district in 1985.
• The Union Historic District includes many streets in Union. It shows the historic layout and buildings of the town center. It was listed in 1990.

Churches and Other Special Places

Monroe County also has other unique historic sites.

• Old Sweet Springs in Sweet Springs is a very old resort area. It was a popular place for people to visit for its natural springs. It was listed in 1970.
• Rehoboth Church is east of Union. This historic church was built a long time ago and is an important part of the area's religious history. It was added to the Register in 1974.

These places help us remember and appreciate the past of Monroe County and West Virginia!

Images for kids

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  The Alderson Bridge, a historic crossing over the Greenbrier River.

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  A view of the historic district in Alderson, West Virginia.

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  The William Gaston Caperton Jr. House, a historic home near Union.

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  The Indian Creek Covered Bridge, a well-preserved historic structure.

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  The Laurel Creek Covered Bridge at night.

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  Lynnside, part of the historic district in Sweet Springs.

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  The main building of Old Sweet Springs, a historic resort.

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  A chapel within the Salt Sulphur Springs Historic District.

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  Rehoboth Church, an important historic religious site.