National Register of Historic Places listings in Orange County, Texas facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about the oldest and most important buildings or places in your area? In Orange County, Texas, there are several special spots listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a national list of places that are important to American history, architecture, or culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's worth protecting and remembering for future generations.
In Orange County, you'll find one historic district and six individual properties on this list. There was also one property that used to be on the list but isn't anymore. Many of these places are also recognized as "Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks," which means they are very important to the history of Texas itself!
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Cool Historic Places in Orange County
Cow Bayou Swing Bridge
Imagine a bridge that can swing open to let boats pass! That's the Cow Bayou Swing Bridge in Bridge City. It's located on State Highway 73/87. This unique bridge was added to the National Register in 2010. It's a great example of old engineering and how people used to build bridges to handle both cars and boats.
Joseph and Annie Lucas House
In Orange, Texas, you can find the Joseph and Annie Lucas House at 812 West Pine Street. This historic home was listed in 1997. It's a beautiful example of the kind of houses built a long time ago and tells a story about the families who lived there and helped shape the community.
Lutcher Memorial Church Building
Also in Orange, the Lutcher Memorial Church Building stands at 902 West Green Avenue. This impressive church was added to the National Register in 1982. It's known for its special design and history, showing how important churches were to the community's growth and spirit.
The Navy Park Historic District is a whole area in Orange that is considered historic. It's roughly bordered by West Dewey Avenue, Farragut Street, Cooper's Gully Tract, and 6th Avenue. This district was listed in 1999. Historic districts are important because they preserve a group of buildings or an entire neighborhood that tells a story about a specific time or event, like how this area might have been important during wartime.
Port Arthur-Orange Bridge
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Connecting Orange County with Jefferson County is the Port Arthur-Orange Bridge, found on Texas Highway 87. This large bridge was added to the National Register in 1996. It's a major landmark and an important part of the transportation history in this region, helping people and goods move across the water. It is also known as the Rainbow Bridge.
Sims House
The Sims House is another historic home in Orange, located at 905 Division Street. It was listed in 1980. Like other historic homes, the Sims House gives us a peek into the past, showing us how people lived and what their homes looked like many years ago.
W. H. Stark House
The W. H. Stark House is a grand home at 611 West Green Avenue in Orange. It was added to the National Register in 1976. This house is a fantastic example of the beautiful architecture from its time and represents the history of important families in Orange County.
Former Historic Places
Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This usually happens if the building is damaged too much or torn down.
Woodmen of the World Lodge-Phoenix Camp No. 32
The Woodmen of the World Lodge-Phoenix Camp No. 32 used to be at 110 Border Street in Orange. It was listed in 1996. However, this building was badly damaged by Hurricanes Rita and Ike. Because of the damage, it was torn down in 2010 and then removed from the National Register of Historic Places. It's a sad reminder of how powerful storms can affect historic landmarks.
