National Register of Historic Places listings in Nicollet County, Minnesota facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about the really old and important buildings or places in your community? The National Register of Historic Places is like a special list of these cool spots across the United States. It helps protect and celebrate places that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. Nicollet County in Minnesota has many amazing places on this list! There are 24 historic properties and districts currently listed. This means they are recognized for their special value and are often preserved for future generations to enjoy and learn from.
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Historic Places in Nicollet County
Nicollet County is home to many fascinating historic sites. These places tell stories about how people lived, worked, and shaped the area long ago. Let's explore some of them!
Fort Ridgely: A Frontier Outpost
Fort Ridgely was a U.S. Army fort built in 1853. It was set up to keep an eye on the Lower Sioux Indian Reservation. This fort played a very important role during the Dakota War of 1862, especially during the Battle of Fort Ridgely. Today, it's a state park and a historic site. You can visit and imagine what life was like for soldiers and settlers back then.
Fort Ridgely State Park Structures
Within Fort Ridgely State Park, you can also find 27 unique buildings. These structures were built in the mid-1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program during the Great Depression that put young men to work on public projects. These buildings are made in a "Rustic Style," which means they blend in with nature and use local materials.
Harkin's General Store: A Step Back in Time
Imagine a store from the 1870s that still looks almost exactly as it did back then! Harkin's General Store, built in 1871, was a country store and post office. Today, it's a museum run by the Minnesota Historical Society. What's really cool is that much of the original stuff they sold is still inside. It's like a time capsule, showing you what people bought and used over 150 years ago.
Traverse des Sioux: A Place of Treaties
Traverse des Sioux is a very important historical spot. It was a major river crossing for thousands of years, even before European settlers arrived. It was also a busy place during the fur trade era. Most famously, it was the site where the U.S. government and the Dakota people signed the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux in 1851. This treaty had a huge impact on the land and the lives of the Dakota people. Today, it's a state and county historical site.
St. Peter's Historic Buildings
The city of St. Peter in Nicollet County has many beautiful and old buildings on the National Register.
Broadway Bridge
The Broadway Bridge was built in 1931. It's a "through truss bridge," which means its strong metal framework goes above the road. This bridge crosses the Minnesota River and connects Nicollet County with Le Sueur County. It's an important part of the local transportation history.
Minnesota Hospital for The Insane: Center Building
The Center Building of the Minnesota Hospital for The Insane was built in 1878. It was part of Minnesota's very first mental hospital. The building was designed in a grand style called Classical Revival architecture. It followed a special plan called the Kirkbride Plan, which was a popular way to design hospitals for people with mental health conditions back then.
Eugene Saint Julien Cox House
This house, built in 1871, belonged to Eugene Saint Julien Cox, who was the first mayor of St. Peter. It's a mix of Gothic and Italianate architectural styles. Today, it's a site managed by the Nicollet County Historical Society, helping people learn about the city's early leaders.
John A. Johnson House
The John A. Johnson House was built in 1905. It was the home of John Albert Johnson, who was a very important politician. He served as the governor of Minnesota three times! His house is a reminder of his life and contributions to the state.
Nicollet County Courthouse and Jail
The Nicollet County Courthouse was built in 1881. It's a beautiful building designed in the Romanesque Revival style, which often features round arches and sturdy stone. The jailhouse next to it was built in 1907 in the Queen Anne style, known for its decorative details. These buildings have been central to the county's government and justice system for over a century.
Nicollet Hotel
The Nicollet Hotel, built in 1874, is another example of Italianate architecture in St. Peter. This style was popular for its tall windows and decorative cornices. For many years, this hotel was a busy place where travelers and locals gathered.
Old Main, Gustavus Adolphus College
Old Main is a very important building on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College. Built in 1876, it's made of Kasota limestone, a type of stone found locally. It's also designed in the Italianate style and has been a central part of the college's history and education for many years.
St. Peter Armory
The St. Peter Armory was built between 1912 and 1913. It's one of the oldest armories still standing in Minnesota and was the first one owned by the state. An armory is a building where military units train and store equipment. This building was important for military training, but also for social events and recreation in St. Peter.
St. Peter Carnegie Library
The St. Peter Carnegie Library was built in 1904. It's a "Carnegie library," which means it was built with money donated by Andrew Carnegie, a very rich businessman who believed in the power of public libraries. This building is in the Classical Revival style, making it look grand and important.
St. Peter Commercial Historic District
This district includes many commercial buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s. These buildings, mostly made of brick with stone decorations, show what the main street of St. Peter looked like when it was a bustling center for business and shopping.
Other Notable Homes and Buildings
Nicollet County also has several other interesting historic homes and buildings:
- Church of the Holy Communion, Episcopal: An 1870 Gothic Revival church made of Kasota limestone.
- Frederick A. Donahower House: A brick Italianate house from around 1875.
- Sarah and Thomas Montgomery House: An 1874 brick Italianate house.
- Nicollet County Bank: An 1887 Queen Anne style bank with Kasota limestone trim.
- Norseland General Store: A rural store from around 1900.
- North Mankato Public School: An 1890 brick Queen Anne school building.
- Emily and Stephen Schumacher House: An 1888 brick Queen Anne house.
- William E. Stewart House: A 1910 brick house built next to the owner's brickyard.
- Henry A. Swift House: An 1858 house that belonged to politician Henry Adoniram Swift.
- Union Presbyterian Church: An 1872 Gothic Revival church made of Kasota limestone.
Former Listings
Sometimes, a place might be removed from the National Register of Historic Places. This can happen if a building is destroyed or changed too much.
Bridge No. 6422-Saint Peter
This bridge was built in 1948. It was a special kind of concrete bridge, the first of its kind in Minnesota. Sadly, it was taken down in 2001.
St. Peter Central School
This school, built in 1980, was destroyed by a tornado in 1998. Even though the original building is gone, parts of its front were used in the new Central Square Apartments built on the same spot.
Images for kids
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The Broadway Bridge over the Minnesota River.
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A lithograph of the Minnesota Hospital for The Insane from 1874.
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The Church of the Holy Communion, Episcopal.
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The Eugene Saint Julien Cox House.
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The Frederick A. Donahower House.
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Fort Ridgely, an important frontier fort.
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A water tower and garage at Fort Ridgely State Park.
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Harkin's General Store, preserved as a museum.
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The John A. Johnson House.
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The Sarah and Thomas Montgomery House.
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The Nicollet County Bank.
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The Nicollet County Courthouse.
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The historic Nicollet Hotel.
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The Norseland General Store.
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The North Mankato Public School.
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Old Main at Gustavus Adolphus College.
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The Emily and Stephen Schumacher House.
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The St. Peter Armory.
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The St. Peter Carnegie Library.
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Buildings in the St. Peter Commercial Historic District.
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The William E. Stewart House.
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The Henry A. Swift House.
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The historic site of Traverse des Sioux.
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The Union Presbyterian Church.
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The Central Square Apartments, built on the site of the former St. Peter Central School.
