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

Where Monroe County is in Wisconsin

Have you ever wondered about old buildings and places that are super important to history? In Monroe County, Wisconsin, there are many special spots that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list is like a hall of fame for buildings, areas, and objects that have played a big part in American history, architecture, or culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized as something valuable that should be protected for future generations to enjoy and learn from.

Monroe County has 14 amazing places and areas that have earned a spot on this important list. Let's explore some of them!

Historic Treasures in Monroe County

Kendalls Depot: A Stop on the Bike Trail

The old Kendalls Depot, now a museum.

The Kendalls Depot is an old train station built way back in 1900. It has a cool, sloped roof and was once used by the Chicago and North Western Railway. Imagine trains pulling up here over a hundred years ago! Today, this historic depot isn't used for trains anymore. Instead, it's a fun railroad museum and the main office for the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, which is a popular bike path built on old train tracks. It's a great example of how old buildings can find new life!

Albert and Theresa Marx House: A Fancy Home

The beautiful Albert and Theresa Marx House.

In Cashton, Wisconsin, you can find the Albert and Theresa Marx House. This beautiful house was built in 1906 and is a great example of the Queen Anne style. It's known for its fancy details, like a round porch with tall, classic-looking columns. Albert Marx and his brother were busy people in town, running many businesses, from a hardware store to a car dealership. This house shows how important they were in their community.

Monroe County Courthouse: A Grand Building

The Monroe County Courthouse in Sparta.

The Monroe County Courthouse in Sparta, Wisconsin, is a very impressive building. It was built in 1895 and designed by a famous architect named Mifflin E. Bell. The courthouse is made of red sandstone and has a unique style called Romanesque Revival. This style often features big, strong arches and towers, making the building look like a grand castle. It's where important county decisions have been made for over a century.

St. John's Episcopal Church: A Church from the Past

St. John's Episcopal Church, built in 1862.

Also in Sparta, the St. John's Episcopal Church is a beautiful old church built in 1862. It's designed in the Gothic Revival style, which means it has pointed arches and tall windows, similar to medieval cathedrals. The outside of the church is made with a special type of wood siding called "board and batten." It's a peaceful place that has been part of the community for a very long time.

Sparta Free Library: A Place for Books

The Sparta Free Library, a Carnegie Library.

The Sparta Free Library was the very first public library in Sparta. It was built in 1902 with money from Andrew Carnegie, a very rich businessman who helped build many libraries across the country. This library has a Neoclassical style, which means it looks like ancient Greek or Roman buildings with columns and grand entrances. It's a place where people have been able to read and learn for over 120 years!

Sparta Masonic Temple: Now a Museum

The Sparta Masonic Temple, now the Monroe County Museum.

The Sparta Masonic Temple was built in 1923 for a group called the Masons. It's a yellow brick building with a red tile roof, designed in a mix of Classical Revival style and Prairie School styles. Today, this historic building is home to the Monroe County Museum. It's a great place to visit and learn about the history of the county!

Tomah Post Office: Sending Letters for Decades

The historic Tomah Post Office building.

The Tomah Post Office was the first building in Tomah, Wisconsin, built just for sending and receiving mail. It was constructed between 1927 and 1928 and also has a Classical Revival style, making it look grand and official. The front of this building looks almost exactly like another old post office in a different Wisconsin town called Merrill! While it's not a post office anymore, it's still used for offices today.

Tomah Public Library: Another Carnegie Gem

The Tomah Public Library.

Like Sparta, Tomah, Wisconsin, also has a historic library built with money from Andrew Carnegie. The Tomah Public Library was built in 1916. It's designed in the Prairie Style, which is known for its strong horizontal lines and connection to the landscape. It also has a special decorative band called a frieze that reminds people of the architect Louis Sullivan. It's a smaller library but full of history!

Walczak-Wontor Quarry Pit Workshop: An Ancient Site

The Walczak-Wontor Quarry Pit Workshop near Cataract, Wisconsin, is a special archaeological site. Its exact location is kept secret to protect it. This site is important because it shows us how people lived and worked a very long time ago, possibly making tools from stone found in the quarry.

Water Street Commercial Historic District: A Walk Through Sparta's Past

Buildings in the Water Street Commercial Historic District.

The Water Street Commercial Historic District is a whole area in Sparta, Wisconsin, that is full of historic buildings. It includes many old shops and businesses that show what Sparta looked like long ago. You can see buildings from the 1870s to the 1940s, with different architectural styles like Italianate, Romanesque Revival, and even Modernist designs. It's like walking through a living history book! Some notable buildings include the Union Block, the Hoffman Meat Market, and the Williams Block (pictured).

William G. and Anne Williams House: A Grand Family Home

The William G. and Anne Williams House.

The William G. and Anne Williams House in Sparta is another beautiful Queen Anne-styled home, built between 1891 and 1900. It even has an old building for carriages next to it! William Williams was a very important person in Sparta. He was a banker and helped develop many parts of the downtown area. Today, this lovely house is a bed and breakfast, where people can stay and experience a piece of history.