National Register of Historic Places listings in Racine County, Wisconsin facts for kids
Welcome to Racine County, Wisconsin! Did you know that this area is home to many amazing buildings and places that are super important to history? These special spots are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's like a national "hall of fame" for buildings, neighborhoods, and other sites that tell important stories about America's past.
In Racine County, there are 57 different places and areas that have earned a spot on this special list. They include everything from old houses and churches to factories and even a shipwreck! Let's explore some of these cool historic treasures and learn why they are so important.
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Cool Historic Places in Racine County
Racine County is full of history, and many of its most important places are protected. These sites help us remember the people and events that shaped the area.
Racine City's Treasures
The city of Racine has a lot of historic buildings. Many of them show off amazing architecture or were important for the city's growth.
Famous Buildings and Homes
- Badger Building (610 Main St.): This building in downtown Racine was added to the list in 1980. It's a great example of the kind of buildings that made up the city's busy center long ago.
- Eli R. Cooley House (1135 S. Main St.): Built in 1853, this house is one of the oldest in Racine. It shows us what homes looked like when the city was first growing.
- Thomas Driver and Sons Manufacturing Company (134 S. Main St.): This old factory building reminds us of Racine's industrial past. It was once a place where things were made, helping the city's economy.
- Chauncey Hall Building (338-340 Main St.): Designed by a famous architect named E. Townsend Mix, this building is known for its cool design. It was built in 1880.
- Chauncey Hall House (1235 S. Main St.): This beautiful home, built in 1856, belonged to Chauncey Hall. It's a great example of fancy homes from that time.
- Hansen House (1221 N. Main St.): This house, built in 1877, shows off a unique style of architecture. It's a well-preserved example of a Victorian-era home.
- Thomas P. Hardy House (1319 S. Main St.): This house is super special because it was designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905. Wright is known for his unique "Prairie Style" of architecture, which you can see in this home.
- Herbert F. Johnson House (Wingspread) (33 E. Four Mile Rd., Wind Point): Another amazing home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright! Built in 1938, Wingspread is a huge and sprawling house that looks like a bird with its wings spread out. It's a very important example of modern architecture.
- S. C. Johnson and Son Administration Building and Research Tower (1525 Howe St.): Get ready for another Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece! This building, completed in 1939, was designed for the S.C. Johnson Wax company. It has a unique "mushroom" column design and a tall research tower. It's a National Historic Landmark, which is an even higher honor!
- Karel Jonas House (1337 N. Erie St.): This was the home of Karel Jonas, an important politician from Wisconsin. It was built in 1880.
- Mitchell Lewis Building (815 Eighth St.): This building was once part of the Mitchell-Lewis Motor Company, which made cars and wagons. It's a reminder of Racine's role in early American manufacturing.
- McClurg Building (245 Main St.): Built in 1858, this building is one of the oldest commercial buildings in Racine. It shows what downtown Racine looked like in its early days.
- George Murray House (2219 Washington Ave.): This house, built in 1874, is a good example of the grand homes built in Racine during the late 1800s.
- Rickeman Grocery Building (415 6th St.): This building was once a local grocery store, a vital part of the community. It shows how people lived and shopped in the past.
- Shoop Building (215 State St.): This building, constructed in 1882, was part of the Shoop family's business. It's a historic commercial building in the city.
- United Laymen Bible Student Tabernacle (924 Center St.): This unique building, built in 1920, served as a place of worship and community gathering.
- Uptown Theater (1426-1430 Washington Ave.): This old movie theater, built in 1928, was a popular spot for entertainment. It reminds us of how people used to go to the movies.
- Wilmanor Apartments (1419-1429 W. Sixth St.): These apartments, built in 1928, show a different style of living from the past. They are an example of early apartment buildings in Racine.
- Young Men's Christian Association Building (314-320 6th St.): This building, built in 1914, was home to the YMCA, a place for community activities, sports, and education.
Important Public Spaces
- First Presbyterian Church (716 College Ave.): This beautiful church, built in 1852, is one of Racine's oldest and most important churches. Its architecture is stunning.
- Historic Sixth Street Business District (Roughly bounded by Water St. and Fifth St., Main Seventh St., and Grand Ave.): This whole area is historic because it was a major business center in Racine. Walking through it is like stepping back in time!
- Lincoln School (1800 State St.): This school, built in 1924, served many generations of students in Racine. It's a reminder of the importance of education in the community.
- Memorial Hall (72 7th St.): Built in 1924, Memorial Hall is a grand building that honors those who served in wars. It's a place for public events and gatherings.
- No. 4 Engine House (1339 Lincoln St.): This old fire station, built in 1882, housed the city's fire engines and firefighters. It's a cool piece of Racine's public safety history.
- Northside Historic District of Cream Brick Workers' Cottages (Roughly bounded by Goold, Erie, English, Main, Yout and Chatham Sts. and Lakeview Community Center): This district is special because it has many small houses made of "cream brick" that were built for workers. It shows how people lived and worked in Racine's industrial past.
- Old Main Street Historic District (Roughly bounded by Second St., Lake Ave., Fifth St., and Wisconsin Ave.): Like the Sixth Street district, this area was a very important part of Racine's early downtown. It has many old shops and buildings.
- Orchard Street Historic District (Generally bounded by Haven & Lindermann Aves., Russet & Kentuckey Sts.): This neighborhood shows how residential areas developed in Racine, with many historic homes.
- Racine College (600 21st St.): Founded in 1852, Racine College was an important educational institution. Its old buildings are beautiful and have a rich history.
- Racine County Courthouse (730 Wisconsin Ave.): This impressive building, built in 1931, is where local government and justice happen. It's a symbol of the county's civic life.
- Racine Depot (1402 Liberty St.): This old train station, built in 1902, was a busy hub for travelers and goods. It reminds us of the days when trains were the main way to travel.
- Racine Elks Club, Lodge No. 252 (601 Lake Ave.): This building, built in 1913, was home to a social club that played a role in the community.
- Racine Harbor Lighthouse and Life Saving Station (Racine Harbor North Pier): This lighthouse, built in 1903, helped guide ships safely into Racine's harbor. The life-saving station helped rescue people from shipwrecks.
- Racine Public Library (701 S. Main St.): This beautiful library, built in 1903, has been a center for learning and reading for over a century.
- Racine Rubber Company Homes Historic District (Roughly bounded by Victory Ave., Republic Ave., Cleveland Ave. and West Boulevard): This district contains homes built for workers of the Racine Rubber Company, showing how companies sometimes provided housing for their employees.
- Southside Historic District (Roughly bounded by Lake Michigan, DeKoven Ave., Villa and Eighth Sts.): This large historic district includes many homes and buildings that show the development of Racine's south side.
- St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Chapel, Guildhall, and Rectory (614 S. Main St.): This church complex, built starting in 1866, is a beautiful example of religious architecture and has been a spiritual center for many years.
- St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church (1100 Erie St.): This church, built in 1876, is another important religious landmark in Racine, known for its grand design.
- US Post Office-Racine Main (603 Main St.): This post office, built in 1933, is a classic example of government buildings from that era.
- Walker Manufacturing Company-Ajax Plant (1520 Clark St.): This industrial building, built in 1909, was part of a company that made car parts. It's a piece of Racine's manufacturing history.
- Windpoint Light Station (Windridge Dr. at Lake Michigan): This iconic lighthouse, built in 1880, stands tall on the shore of Lake Michigan. It's one of the tallest lighthouses on the Great Lakes and a beautiful landmark.
Historic Spots Outside Racine City
Racine County has historic places beyond the city of Racine too!
Burlington's Gems
- Burlington Cemetery Chapel (701 S. Browns Lake Dr., Burlington): This chapel, built in 1900, is a peaceful and historic building within the cemetery.
- Burlington Community Swimming Pools and Bathhouse (394 Amanda St., Burlington): Built in 1939, these pools and bathhouse were important for community recreation during the Great Depression.
- Burlington Downtown Historic District (Roughly bounded by E. Jefferson, N. Pine, E. Washington, E. Chestnut, N. Dodge, Commerce, Mill, and W. Chestnut Sts., Burlington): Similar to Racine's historic districts, this area in Burlington shows the town's early commercial and social life.
- Franklyn Hazelo House (34108 Oak Knoll Rd., Burlington): This house, built in 1845, is one of the oldest homes in the Burlington area, showing early settlement.
- Kane Street Historic District (Generally bounded by Washington & Rudolph Sts., Perkins Blvd., Gardner Ave., Burlington): This district includes many historic homes that show the growth of Burlington's neighborhoods.
Other Unique Places
- Elam Beardsley Farmhouse (5601 Northwest Hwy., Waterford): This farmhouse, built in 1840, is a great example of early farm life in Racine County.
- John Collins House (6409 Nicholson Rd., Caledonia): This house, built in 1843, is another example of an early settler's home in the county.
- Norwegian Buildings at Heg Park (NE of Waterford on Heg Park Rd., Wind Lake): These buildings are special because they show the history of Norwegian immigrants who settled in this area. They include a log cabin and other structures.
- Southern Wisconsin Home Historic District (21425 Spring St., Dover): This district includes buildings that were part of a home for children and adults with disabilities, showing the history of social care in the state.
- Whitman-Belden House (108 N. State St., Rochester): This house, built in 1842, is one of the oldest in Rochester and shows the early architecture of the village.
- Yorkville No. 4 School (17640 Old Yorkville Rd., Yorkville): This old schoolhouse, built in 1848, was a one-room school where many children learned. It's a reminder of how education used to be.
- Kate Kelly (Shipwreck) (L. Michigan, 2 mi. E of Wind Pt., Wind Point): This is a real shipwreck! The Kate Kelly was a schooner that sank in Lake Michigan in 1895. It's now an underwater historic site.
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is America's official list of places that are important to our country's history. It's managed by the National Park Service. When a place is added to this list, it means it's recognized for its historical, architectural, archaeological, engineering, or cultural importance.
Being on the National Register helps protect these places. It encourages people to preserve them so that future generations can also learn from and enjoy them. It's a way to make sure that the stories of the past are not forgotten.
Images for kids
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The Badger Building in Racine.
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The Elam Beardsley Farmhouse in Waterford.
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A view of the Burlington Downtown Historic District.
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The Eli R. Cooley House.
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The Thomas Driver and Sons Manufacturing Company building.
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The First Presbyterian Church in Racine.
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The Chauncey Hall Building.
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The Chauncey Hall House.
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The Hansen House.
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The Thomas P. Hardy House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
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The Franklyn Hazelo House.
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A building in the Historic Sixth Street Business District.
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Wingspread, the Herbert F. Johnson House.
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The Peter Johnson House.
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The S. C. Johnson and Son Administration Building.
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The Karel Jonas House.
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Kaiser's building in Racine.
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A sign pointing towards the Kate Kelly shipwreck site.
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The Mitchell Lewis Building.
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Lincoln School.
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The McClurg Building.
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A street view in the Melvin Avenue Residential Historic District.
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Memorial Hall.
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The George Murray House.
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No. 4 Engine House.
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Cream Brick Worker's Cottages.
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A log cabin at Heg Park.
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A building in the Old Main Street Historic District.
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A building at Racine College.
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The Racine County Courthouse.
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The Racine Depot.
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The Racine Elks Club, Lodge No. 252.
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The Racine Harbor Lighthouse and Life Saving Station.
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The Racine Public Library (now Racine Heritage Museum).
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The Rickeman Grocery Building.
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The Shoop Building.
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A building in the Southern Wisconsin Home Historic District.
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A street view in the Southside Historic District.
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St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
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St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church.
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The United Laymen Bible Student Tabernacle.
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The Uptown Theater.
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The US Post Office-Racine Main.
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The Wilmanor Apartments.
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The Windpoint Light Station.
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The Whitman-Belden House.
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The Yorkville No. 4 School.
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The Young Men's Christian Association Building.
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