National Register of Historic Places listings in Owen County, Indiana facts for kids
Welcome to Owen County, Indiana! This page is a special list of places here that are super important because of their history. These places are part of the National Register of Historic Places. It's like a special club for buildings, bridges, and even old archaeological sites that tell us stories about the past.
The National Register of Historic Places is a list kept by the United States government. It helps protect places that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized as a valuable part of our heritage.
In Owen County, there are 18 places currently on this list. One other place used to be on the list but was later removed. These special spots are located in different towns and areas across the county. Let's explore some of them!
Contents
- Historic Places in Owen County
- Allison-Robinson House
- David Enoch Beem House
- Cataract Covered Bridge
- McCormick's Creek State Park Buildings
- Ennis Archaeological Site
- Gosport Historic District
- Moffett-Ralston House
- Dr. H.G. Osgood House
- Owen County Courthouse
- Secrest Ferry Bridge
- Secrest-Wampler House
- Spencer Public Library
- Spencer Town Hall and Fire Station
- Former Listing
Historic Places in Owen County
Allison-Robinson House
The Allison-Robinson House is a beautiful old home located at 3 North Montgomery Street in Spencer. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 3, 1993. This house is a great example of the architecture from its time.
David Enoch Beem House
Another historic home in Spencer is the David Enoch Beem House. You can find it at 635 West Hillside Avenue. This house became a protected historic site on July 13, 1989. It's named after David Enoch Beem, an important person in the area's history.
Cataract Covered Bridge
The Cataract Covered Bridge is a famous landmark in Owen County. It crosses Mill Creek in the Leiber State Recreation Area at Cataract. This amazing bridge was built a long time ago and was added to the National Register on April 27, 2005. Covered bridges are special because they are rare and show old building styles.
McCormick's Creek State Park Buildings
McCormick's Creek State Park is Indiana's first state park, and it has several historic structures.
- The CCC Recreation Building-Nature Museum was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was a program during the Great Depression that put young men to work building parks and other public projects. This building became historic on March 18, 1993.
- The McCormick's Creek State Park Entrance and Gatehouse is another CCC-built structure. It's the first thing you see when you enter the park. This entrance and gatehouse were also added to the National Register on March 18, 1993.
- The Stone Arch Bridge over McCormick's Creek is a beautiful bridge within the park. It's another example of the great work done by the CCC. This bridge was recognized as historic on March 18, 1993, along with the other park structures.
Ennis Archaeological Site
The Ennis Archaeological Site is a very old place where archaeologists study the past. It's located in Clay Township. Because it's an archaeological site, its exact address is kept secret to protect it from harm. This site was added to the National Register on May 30, 1985. It even extends into a neighboring county!
Gosport Historic District
A "historic district" means an area with many buildings that are all important together. The Gosport Historic District includes several streets in Gosport, roughly bounded by Church, Walnut, 5th, and 3rd Streets. This whole area was recognized as historic on June 25, 2013, because its buildings show what the town was like long ago.
Moffett-Ralston House
The Moffett-Ralston House is a historic home located northeast of Patricksburg in Lafayette Township. It was added to the National Register on May 12, 1975. This house has a long history and is a significant part of the area's past.
Dr. H.G. Osgood House
In Gosport, you can also find the Dr. H.G. Osgood House at 11 East North Street. This house was listed on the National Register on September 3, 1999. It was once the home of Dr. H.G. Osgood, an important person in the community.
Owen County Courthouse
The Owen County Courthouse is a very important building in Spencer. It's located on Courthouse Square and is where many local government activities happen. This grand building was added to the National Register on November 25, 1994. Courthouses often have interesting architecture and stories.
Secrest Ferry Bridge
The Secrest Ferry Bridge is another historic bridge in Owen County. It carries County Road 450 East over the West Fork of the White River, south of Gosport. This bridge was recognized as historic on May 30, 1996. It's a key part of the local transportation history.
Secrest-Wampler House
The Secrest-Wampler House is a historic home southwest of Gosport, at 1816 Concord Road. It was added to the National Register on March 20, 2002. This house is another example of the important historic homes in Owen County.
Spencer Public Library
The Spencer Public Library, located at 110 East Market Street in Spencer, is not just a place for books. It's also a historic building! It was added to the National Register on September 20, 2007, showing its importance to the community's history and architecture.
Spencer Town Hall and Fire Station
The Spencer Town Hall and Fire Station, at 84 South Washington Street in Spencer, is another historic building. It was listed on the National Register on August 19, 1982. This building served important community functions for many years.
Former Listing
Sometimes, a place that was once on the National Register of Historic Places might be removed. This can happen if the building is destroyed, or if it changes so much that it loses its historic importance.
New Albany and Salem Railroad Station
The New Albany and Salem Railroad Station in Gosport was once a historic listing. It was added to the National Register on August 6, 1976. However, it was later removed from the list on October 13, 1983. This means it no longer holds its historic status.
