National Register of Historic Places listings in Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about old buildings and places that are really important to history? In Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, there are many special spots listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are worth saving because of their history, architecture, or what happened there.
Pottawatomie County has 19 of these amazing places. They include old hotels, schools, homes, and even a bridge! Each one tells a unique story about the past. Let's explore some of them and learn why they are so important.
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What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is like a special club for historic buildings and sites. It's the official list of places in the U.S. that are important to our country's history. When a place is added to this list, it means it's recognized for its value. This helps protect it for future generations.
Being on the NRHP doesn't stop people from changing a building, but it does encourage them to preserve its historic look. It also makes some places eligible for special grants or tax breaks to help with their upkeep.
Historic Buildings in Shawnee
Many of Pottawatomie County's historic places are in the city of Shawnee, Oklahoma. This city has a rich past, and its buildings show different styles and stories.
Aldridge Hotel
The Aldridge Hotel is a grand old building located at 20-24 East 9th Street in Shawnee. It was added to the National Register on June 2, 2000. Imagine all the travelers and important people who might have stayed there over the years! Hotels like this were once busy centers of city life.
Beard Cabin
The Beard Cabin is a very old cabin found at 614 East Main Street in Shawnee. It was listed on April 8, 1983. Cabins like this often tell stories of the early settlers and how people lived a long time ago. It's a glimpse into the past.
Bell Street Historic District
Instead of just one building, the Bell Street Historic District is a whole area along North Bell Street in Shawnee. It runs from East 9th to East Main Street. This district was added to the list on December 28, 2000. Historic districts are important because they show how a whole neighborhood looked and functioned in the past. They often have many buildings built around the same time or in a similar style.
Billington Building
The Billington Building is another historic spot in Shawnee, located at 23 East 9th Street. It joined the National Register on September 26, 1985. Many old downtown buildings like this were once home to shops, offices, or apartments, showing how cities grew.
H. T. Douglas Mansion and Garage
The H. T. Douglas Mansion and Garage is a large, impressive home at 100 East Federal Street in Shawnee. It was listed on September 26, 1985. Mansions often belonged to important people in the community and show the architectural styles popular during their time.
Governors Mansion
The Governors Mansion in Shawnee, at 618 North Park Street, was added to the register on January 21, 1983. Even though it's called a "Governors Mansion," it's important to remember that not all buildings with grand names were actual homes for state governors. This name might refer to a local leader or a style of house.
Kerfoot House
The Kerfoot House is another historic home in Shawnee, located at 740 North Beard Street. It was listed on January 21, 1983. Old homes like this give us clues about how families lived and what their daily lives were like many years ago.
Nuckolls House
You can find the Nuckolls House at 200 East Federal Street in Shawnee. It became a historic site on January 21, 1983. Each historic house has its own story, often connected to the people who built it or lived there.
Pottawatomie County Courthouse
The Pottawatomie County Courthouse is a very important building for the county. It's located at 300 North Broadway in Shawnee and was listed on August 24, 1984. Courthouses are usually central to a county's government and history, where important decisions were made and records kept.
Santa Fe Depot
The Santa Fe Depot in Shawnee, found at Main Street and Minnesota Avenue, was added to the register on June 5, 1974. Train depots were once bustling hubs of activity, where people traveled and goods were shipped. They played a huge role in connecting towns and helping them grow.
St. Gregory's Abbey and College
St. Gregory's Abbey and College is a large campus at 1900 West MacArthur Drive in Shawnee. It was listed on August 15, 1975. This site is important for its educational and religious history, showing how institutions developed over time.
Shawnee Friends Mission
The Shawnee Friends Mission is located about 2 miles south of Shawnee. It became a historic site on March 7, 1973. Missions often played a role in the early settlement of an area and in interactions with Native American communities.
Squirrel Creek Bridge
The Squirrel Creek Bridge carries Rangeline Road over Squirrel Creek, near Shawnee. This bridge was listed on September 3, 2010. Old bridges are often recognized for their engineering and how they helped people travel and connect different areas.
Walker House
The Walker House is another historic home in Shawnee, at 1801 North Broadway. It was added to the register on April 8, 1983.
Historic Places Outside Shawnee
Barnard Elementary School
The Barnard Elementary School is located at 315 East Locust Street in Tecumseh, Oklahoma. It was listed on June 2, 2000. Old schools are special because they represent the history of education in a community and the many students who learned there.
Old Santa Fe Railroad Bridge
The Old Santa Fe Railroad Bridge is near Wanette, Oklahoma, on Drummond Road. It was listed on March 10, 2010. This bridge is also known as the Wanette-Byers Bridge. Railroad bridges are important examples of engineering and show how trains helped shape the country.
Sacred Heart Mission Site
The Sacred Heart Mission Site is off Oklahoma State Highway 39, near Asher, Oklahoma. It was listed on September 15, 1983. This site has a rich history, often connected to early religious settlements and the development of the area.
Rose-Fast Site (34PT28)
The Rose-Fast Site (34PT28) is near Harjo, Oklahoma. Its exact address is kept private to protect the site. It was listed on December 24, 1986. Sites like this are often archaeological, meaning they contain important clues about ancient cultures or early human activity. Protecting them helps scientists learn more about the past.
Images for kids
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The historic Aldridge Hotel in Shawnee.
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Barnard Elementary School in Tecumseh.
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The old Beard Cabin in Shawnee.
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A view of the Bell Street Historic District.
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The Billington Building in Shawnee.
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The H. T. Douglas Mansion and Garage.
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The Governors Mansion in Shawnee.
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The Kerfoot House.
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The Nuckolls House.
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The Old Santa Fe Railroad Bridge, also known as the Wanette-Byers Bridge.
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The Pottawatomie County Courthouse.
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Image for the Rose-Fast Site, which has a restricted address.
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A building at the Sacred Heart Mission Site.
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Benedictine Hall at St. Gregory's Abbey and College.
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The Santa Fe Depot in Shawnee.
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The Shawnee Friends Mission.
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The Squirrel Creek Bridge.
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The Walker House.
