National Register of Historic Places listings in Roane County, Tennessee facts for kids
Welcome to Roane County, Tennessee! This page is all about the cool, old places here that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of the National Register as a special list of buildings, areas, and sites across the United States that are important to history. When a place is on this list, it means it's worth protecting and remembering for future generations.
In Roane County, we have 20 amazing places and areas on this list. One of them is even a National Historic Landmark, which is an even more important designation! These places tell us stories about how people lived, worked, and built things a long time ago.
If you're also interested in nearby historic spots, check out the listings for National Register of Historic Places listings in Anderson County, Tennessee. Some cities like Oak Ridge and Oliver Springs are so big they stretch into both counties!
Roane County's Historic Treasures
Roane County is full of history, and many of its special places are recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. These sites include old homes, churches, businesses, and even entire neighborhoods! Each one has a unique story to tell about the past.
Exploring Historic Sites in Roane County
Here's a look at some of the interesting historic places you can find in Roane County:
- Abston Garage in Oliver Springs: This garage was added to the list in 2009. It's a reminder of early car culture and local businesses.
- Bethel Cemetery in Kingston: Listed in 2006, this cemetery is important for its history and the stories of the people buried there.
- Colonial Hall in Oliver Springs: This beautiful old house, listed in 1975, was built before the American Civil War. It's currently being carefully restored to its former glory.
- Cornstalk Heights Historic District in Harriman: This whole neighborhood, listed in 1991, is like a time capsule! It has many houses built between the 1890s and 1930s, showing different styles from that time.
- Harriman City Hall in Harriman: This building, listed in 1971, has an interesting past. It originally housed the American Temperance University, which was a college focused on teaching people about avoiding alcohol.
- George Jones Memorial Baptist Church in Oak Ridge: This church, listed in 1992, is an important part of the community's history.
- Kingston Avenue Historic District in Rockwood: Another historic neighborhood, listed in 1997, with many interesting old homes along North Kingston, South Kingston, and East Rockwood Avenues.
- Molyneux Chevrolet Company-Rockwood Fire Department Building in Rockwood: This building, listed in 2002, once housed a car company and later became the fire department. It shows how buildings can change their purpose over time.
- Col. Gideon Morgan House in Kingston: This house, listed in 1983, is the oldest house in Roane County! It was even owned by a politician named William B. Ladd in the 1930s.
- New Bethel Baptist Church in Oak Ridge: Listed in 1992, this church is another significant historical landmark in the Oak Ridge area.
- Oak Ridge Turnpike Checking Station in Oak Ridge: This building, listed in 1992, was one of the important checkpoint gatehouses during World War II in Oak Ridge. It reminds us of a time when the city was a secret project.
- Post Oak Springs Christian Church in Rockwood: This church, listed in 2007, stands at the junction of Roane Street Highway and Post Oak Road, marking a historic spot.
- Roane County Courthouse in Kingston: The old courthouse, listed in 1971, is now a museum! The new courthouse is right across the street. This building tells us about the county's government history.
- Roane Street Commercial Historic District in Harriman: This district, listed in 1989, includes a theater, a Carnegie library (a library built with money from Andrew Carnegie), an old post office, and many historic shops along Roane Street.
- Rockwood Post Office in Rockwood: This post office building, listed in 1999, has served the community for many years.
- Southwest Point near Kingston: This site, listed in 1972, was once a fort! The original fort is no longer standing, but it's currently being rebuilt so people can learn about its history.
- Dr. Fred Stone, Sr. Hospital in Oliver Springs: Listed in 2006, this hospital building is unique because it was built in many different stages over time. You can even see the different parts from the outside!
- Tennessee Highway Patrol Buildings in Rockwood: These buildings, listed in 2001, were important for the state's highway patrol. An additional part of the property was added to the list in 2011.
- Valley View Farm in Harriman: This farm, listed in 1997, is a mid-19th century farmstead, meaning it dates back to the middle of the 1800s. It gives us a glimpse into farming life from that era.
- X-10 Reactor, Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge: This is a very important site, listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1966. It's part of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and played a huge role in scientific research, especially during World War II.
Images for kids
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Abston Garage
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Bethel Cemetery
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Colonial Hall
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A house in the Cornstalk Heights Historic District
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Harriman City Hall, originally American Temperance University
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George Jones Memorial Baptist Church
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A house in the Kingston Avenue Historic District
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Molyneux Chevrolet Company-Rockwood Fire Department Building
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Col. Gideon Morgan House
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New Bethel Baptist Church
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Oak Ridge Turnpike Checking Station
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Post Oak Springs Christian Church
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Roane County Courthouse
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Harriman Public Library, part of the Roane Street Commercial Historic District
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Rockwood Post Office
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Fort Southwest Point reconstruction
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Dr. Fred Stone, Sr. Hospital
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Tennessee Highway Patrol Building
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Valley View Farm
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X-10 Reactor, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
