National Register of Historic Places listings in Rockbridge County, Virginia facts for kids

A map showing where Rockbridge County is located in Virginia.

Welcome to Rockbridge County, Virginia! This article will tell you about some amazing places here that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This special list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.

When a place is added to the National Register, it means it's recognized for its historical value. It also helps protect these special spots for future generations. In Rockbridge County, there are 50 places on this list! Two of them are even more important and are called National Historic Landmarks. Let's explore some of these fascinating sites!

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is like a big scrapbook of America's past. It's the official list of places that are worth saving because of their historical importance. These places could be old houses, battlefields, bridges, or even entire neighborhoods!

Being on the National Register helps people understand and appreciate history. It also encourages communities to take care of these special sites. It's a way to make sure that important parts of our country's story are preserved for everyone to learn from.

National Historic Landmarks in Rockbridge County

Some places are so important that they get an even higher honor: they become a National Historic Landmark. These are the very best of the best! Rockbridge County is proud to have two of these super-important sites.

Cyrus McCormick Farm and Workshop

This farm is a National Historic Landmark because it's where Cyrus McCormick invented the mechanical reaper. This amazing machine changed farming forever! Before the reaper, farmers had to cut grain by hand, which was very slow. McCormick's invention made it much faster and easier.

The farm is located near Steeles Tavern. It shows us how important inventions can change the world. It's a great place to learn about farming history and how technology helps us.

Natural Bridge

The Natural Bridge is a giant archway made of rock. It's a natural wonder that has amazed people for thousands of years! Native Americans considered it a sacred place. Later, famous people like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson visited it.

This incredible bridge was formed by water carving through limestone over millions of years. It's a beautiful example of nature's power. It's also a National Historic Landmark because of its unique geology and its long history with people.

Other Historic Places to Discover

Rockbridge County has many other interesting places on the National Register. Each one tells a unique part of the area's story.

Boxerwood Gardens

A unique zig-zag path at Boxerwood Gardens.

Located in Lexington, Boxerwood Gardens is a beautiful place to explore nature. It's not just a garden; it's also a special outdoor classroom. People visit to learn about plants, trees, and the environment. It's a peaceful spot where you can connect with nature and see many different kinds of plants.

Brownsburg Historic District

Historic buildings in Brownsburg.

The entire village of Brownsburg is a historic district! This means that many of its buildings and the way the village is laid out are important to history. Walking through Brownsburg is like stepping back in time. You can see old homes and buildings that show what life was like long ago.

Chapel Hill

The historic Chapel Hill house in Lexington.

Chapel Hill is a historic house in Lexington. It's a great example of the architecture from its time. Old houses like Chapel Hill give us clues about how people lived, what their homes looked like, and the styles that were popular many years ago.

Clifton

The historic Clifton house.

Another interesting house near Lexington is Clifton. It's recognized for its historical importance. These old homes often have unique designs and stories about the families who lived there. They help us understand the past of the area.

Glen Maury

A view of Glen Maury near Buena Vista.

Glen Maury is a historic property west of Buena Vista. It's a place that has been important to the community for a long time. Many historic sites like Glen Maury were once large farms or estates. They often have beautiful old buildings and landscapes.

Goshen Land Company Bridge

The Goshen Land Company Bridge over the Calfpasture River.

This bridge, located east of Goshen, is a historic structure. Bridges are not just for crossing rivers; some are also important examples of engineering from the past. The Goshen Land Company Bridge shows us how people built things a long time ago.

Haines Chapel and Cemetery

Haines Chapel, a historic church building.

Near Vesuvius, you can find Haines Chapel and its cemetery. Chapels and cemeteries are often very old and hold many stories. They tell us about the religious life and the people who lived in the community throughout history.

Hays Creek Mill

The historic Hays Creek Mill.

Hays Creek Mill, near Brownsburg, is an old mill. Mills were super important in the past because they ground grain into flour. They were often the center of a community. This mill gives us a peek into how food was processed before modern factories.

Kennedy-Lunsford Farm

The Kennedy-Lunsford Farm.

This farm near Raphine is a historic farmstead. Farms like this show us how agriculture has changed over time. They often include old farmhouses, barns, and other buildings that were part of daily farm life.

Kennedy-Wade Mill

Wade's Mill, a historic gristmill.

Another historic mill in the Raphine area is the Kennedy-Wade Mill, also known as Wade's Mill. It's a working gristmill that still grinds flour today! It's a fantastic place to see how mills operated in the past and how they continue to be used.

Level Loop

The farmhouse at Level Loop.

Level Loop is a historic farmhouse near Brownsburg. Farmhouses are often the heart of a farm. They tell us about the families who lived and worked on the land for generations.

Liberty Hall Site

The ruins of Liberty Hall.

The Liberty Hall Site is west of the Washington and Lee University campus in Lexington. This site is important because it was the original location of the school that eventually became Washington and Lee University. It shows the beginnings of a major educational institution.

Maple Hall

Maple Hall, a historic building.

Maple Hall is a historic building located near the junction of major highways. It's another example of the beautiful and historically significant architecture found in Rockbridge County.

John Moore House

The historic John Moore House.

The John Moore House in Lexington is a historic residence. Each old house has its own story, and the John Moore House is part of the rich history of homes in the area.

Mulberry Grove

Mulberry Grove, a historic home.

Mulberry Grove is a historic property near Brownsburg. It's another example of the important homes and estates that shaped the landscape and communities of Rockbridge County.

New Providence Presbyterian Church

New Providence Presbyterian Church.

Northeast of Brownsburg stands the New Providence Presbyterian Church. Churches are often central to a community's history, serving as places of worship and gathering for many years. This church reflects the religious heritage of the area.

Oak Spring Farm

Oak Spring Farm.

Oak Spring Farm is located near Steeles Tavern. Like other historic farms, it represents the agricultural past of Rockbridge County. These farms show how people lived and worked the land generations ago.

Rockbridge Alum Springs Historic District

The octagonal bandstand at Rockbridge Alum Springs.

This historic district near California, Virginia, was once a popular resort! People would come here to "take the waters" from the mineral springs, believing they had health benefits. It was a place for relaxation and socializing, showing a different side of historical life.

Stone House

The historic Stone House near Lexington.

The Stone House, west of Lexington, is a unique historic building. Its name suggests it's built from stone, which often means it's very old and sturdy. Stone houses are interesting examples of early construction methods.

Sunnyside

Sunnyside, a historic home in Rockbridge County.

Sunnyside is another historic home in Lexington. Many of these old homes have beautiful architecture and tell stories about the families who lived there and the history of the town.

Tankersley Tavern

Tankersley Tavern.

Tankersley Tavern, near Lexington, was likely a place where travelers could stop for food and rest in the past. Taverns were important gathering spots and essential for travel before cars were invented.

Thorn Hill

Thorn Hill, a historic estate.

Thorn Hill is a historic property southwest of Lexington. It's another example of the grand estates and homes that were built in the area, reflecting the lives of prominent families.

Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church

Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church.

This church, located southwest of Lexington, is a very old and important religious site. Churches like Timber Ridge have served their communities for centuries, witnessing many historical events and changes.

Images for kids

A unique zig-zag path at Boxerwood Gardens.
Historic buildings in Brownsburg.
The historic Chapel Hill house in Lexington.
The historic Clifton house.
A view of Glen Maury near Buena Vista.
The Goshen Land Company Bridge over the Calfpasture River.
Haines Chapel, a historic church building.
The historic Hays Creek Mill.
The Kennedy-Lunsford Farm.
Wade's Mill, a historic gristmill.
The farmhouse at Level Loop.
The ruins of Liberty Hall.
Maple Hall, a historic building.
The Cyrus McCormick Farm, a National Historic Landmark.
The historic John Moore House.
Mulberry Grove, a historic home.
The Natural Bridge in winter, a National Historic Landmark.
The Natural Bridge Historic District.
New Providence Presbyterian Church.
Oak Spring Farm.
The octagonal bandstand at Rockbridge Alum Springs.
The historic Stone House near Lexington.
Sunnyside, a historic home in Rockbridge County.
Tankersley Tavern.
Thorn Hill, a historic estate.
Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church.

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National Register of Historic Places listings in Rockbridge County, Virginia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.