National Register of Historic Places listings in Oklahoma facts for kids

John Patrick McNaughton Barn, a historic barn in Quapaw

This article is about special places in Oklahoma that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes buildings, areas, and sites that are important to the history of the United States. These places are found all over Oklahoma, in each of its 77 counties. Being on this list helps protect these important historical sites for everyone to learn from and enjoy.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of places in the United States that are worth saving. These places are important because they tell us about the past. They can be old houses, schools, bridges, battlefields, or even whole neighborhoods.

Why are these places important?

These historic places help us understand how people lived long ago. They show us how communities grew and how events shaped our country. By protecting them, we make sure that future generations can also learn from these pieces of history.

How are places chosen?

For a place to be added to the National Register, it must be special. It might be linked to an important person or event. It could also be a great example of a certain type of architecture or design. Sometimes, places are chosen because they hold important information about history or prehistory.

Historic Places in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has many amazing places on the National Register. These sites are spread out across all 77 counties. They include everything from old barns and grain elevators to libraries and mission sites. Each one tells a unique story about Oklahoma's past.

Density of historic listings per county as of January 1, 2016

Ingersoll Tile Elevator, a historic building in Alfalfa County

Rock Mary, an important landmark in Caddo County

The Bank of Bigheart building in Barnsdall

The Carnegie Library in Guthrie

The Sacred Heart Mission Site

Oklahoma has over 1,300 places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Some counties have many listings, while others have fewer. For example, Oklahoma County has the most, with 141 listed sites. Kay County and Muskogee County also have many, with 43 and 46 sites respectively.

Examples of Oklahoma's Historic Sites

• The John Patrick McNaughton Barn in Quapaw is an example of a historic farm building.
• The Ingersoll Tile Elevator in Alfalfa County shows how agriculture was important in the past.
• Rock Mary in Caddo County is a natural landmark that was important to early travelers.
• The Bank of Bigheart building in Barnsdall tells a story about early town life.
• The Carnegie Library in Guthrie is one of many libraries built with money from Andrew Carnegie.
• The Sacred Heart Mission Site is a place with deep historical and cultural meaning.

These are just a few examples of the many interesting places you can find in Oklahoma that are part of the National Register of Historic Places. Each one helps us connect with the past and understand the rich history of the state.