National Register of Historic Places listings in Saunders County, Nebraska facts for kids
Saunders County, Nebraska, is home to many special places that are important to history. These places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is like a special list kept by the United States government. It helps protect buildings, sites, and objects that have a lot of history or are very important to our culture.
When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized as a valuable part of American history. It also helps people learn about the past and why these places matter. In Saunders County, there are 22 different places and areas that have made it onto this important list!
Contents
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worth saving. It's part of a program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources.
Why are places listed?
Places are listed for many reasons. They might be important because of their history, like where a famous event happened. They could also be special because of their architecture, meaning how they were designed and built. Sometimes, they are important because of who lived there or what they represent about a community's past.
Historic Places in Saunders County
Let's explore some of the interesting places in Saunders County that are on this special list.
Ashland Bridge
The Ashland Bridge is a really old bridge located in Ashland. It crosses over Salt Creek. This bridge is special because it's one of only two "Warren pony truss" bridges left in Nebraska. A "pony truss" bridge means the main support structure (the truss) is not as tall as the bridge deck, so it looks like a low fence on the sides. It was added to the list in 1992.
Ashland Public Library
The Ashland Public Library, found on North 15th Street in Ashland, is another historic spot. Libraries are important community centers, and this building has been serving the people of Ashland for a long time. It was recognized for its historical value in 1983.
Barnes Oil Company
At the corner of Silver Street and U.S. Route 6 in Ashland, you'll find the Barnes Oil Company building. This place tells a story about how businesses operated in the past. It was added to the National Register in 2002.
Israel Beetison House
Southeast of Ashland is the Israel Beetison House. This building has a unique history, sometimes also known as School 58. It shows us what homes or small schools might have looked like a long time ago. It joined the list of historic places in 1977.
Howard Hanson House
In Wahoo, at 12th and Linden Streets, stands the Howard Hanson House. Howard Hanson was a famous American composer and conductor. This house is important because it was his home. It was listed in 1983.
Old Ithaca Grain Elevator
Just south of 4th Street in Ithaca, you can see the Old Ithaca Grain Elevator. Grain elevators are tall buildings used to store grain. They were very important for farming communities like those in Nebraska. This one was added to the list in 2001.
F.J. Kirchman House
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Another historic home in Wahoo is the F.J. Kirchman House, located on Beech Street. This house is a good example of the architecture from its time. It became a historic listing in 2003.
National Bank of Ashland
The National Bank of Ashland, on Silver Street, is another important building in Ashland. Banks play a big role in a town's growth and economy. This historic bank building was added to the register in 1983.
O.K. Market
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In Wahoo, on North Linden Avenue, you'll find the O.K. Market. This building likely served as a local store, a central place for people to buy goods. It was listed as a historic place in 1991.
Rad Plzen cis. 9 Z.C.B.J.
This building, located off Nebraska Highway 79 near Morse Bluff, has a unique name! It's likely a hall or meeting place for a Czech-American fraternal organization. These groups were important for communities of immigrants. It was added to the list in 1986.
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
Churches are often central to a community's history and culture. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, at 16th and Adams Streets in Ashland, is one such example. It was recognized for its historical significance in 1979.
Saunders County Courthouse
The Saunders County Courthouse, located on Chestnut Street in Wahoo, is a very important building. Courthouses are where local government takes place and where many important records are kept. This building was listed in 1990.
Wahoo Burlington Depot
The Wahoo Burlington Depot, on West 3rd Street, is a historic train station. Train depots were once bustling hubs of activity, connecting towns and transporting people and goods. This depot was added to the National Register in 1985.
Other Historic Sites
Saunders County also has several important archeological sites. These are places where scientists study the remains of past human life and activities. Because these sites are very sensitive and need to be protected, their exact locations are often kept private.
Some of these archeological sites include:
- Ashland Archeological District
- Leshara Site
- McClean Site
- Pahuk
- Woodcliff Burials
- Yutan Site
These sites help us learn about the ancient people who lived in this area long before modern towns were built.
Images for kids
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The Ashland Bridge, a historic structure over Salt Creek.
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The historic Ashland Public Library building.
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The old Barnes Oil Company building.
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The Israel Beetison House, also known as School 58.
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The Howard Hanson House in Wahoo.
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The Old Ithaca Grain Elevator.
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The F.J. Kirchman House in Wahoo.
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The National Bank of Ashland building.
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The O.K. Market building in Wahoo.
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The Rad Plzen cis. 9 Z.C.B.J. building.
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St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Ashland.
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The Saunders County Courthouse in Wahoo.
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The Wahoo Burlington Depot.
