National Register of Historic Places listings in South Dakota facts for kids
South Dakota is a state in the United States with many special places. These places are listed on something called the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a special list of buildings, sites, or objects that are important to American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture.
South Dakota has over 1,300 of these amazing places! They are spread out across all 66 counties in the state. Each place on this list helps us learn about the past and understand how South Dakota grew.
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places. It is part of a program run by the National Park Service. This program helps to coordinate and support efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archaeological resources.
Why are places listed?
Places are added to the National Register because they are important. They might be important for their history, like where a famous event happened. Or they could be important for their design, showing how buildings were made long ago. Some places are important because they teach us about different cultures or how people lived in the past.
Who decides what gets listed?
Experts in history, architecture, and archaeology help decide. They look at places and see if they meet special rules. If a place is chosen, it means it has a unique story or special features. Being on the list helps protect these places. It also makes people more aware of their importance.
Exploring South Dakota's Historic Sites
South Dakota has a wide variety of historic places. These include old homes, schools, bridges, and even entire neighborhoods. Each county in South Dakota has at least one place on the National Register. This shows how rich the state's history is.
Counties with many historic places
Some counties in South Dakota have many more historic places than others. For example, Minnehaha County has over 100 listed sites. Yankton County and Fall River County also have many important listings. These counties often have larger cities or unique historical backgrounds.
Famous examples of listed places
- The South Dakota State Capitol in Hughes County is on the list. It is a beautiful building where the state's government works.
- The Coughlin Campanile is in Brookings County. It is a tall, bell tower at South Dakota State University.
- The entire town of Deadwood in Lawrence County is a historic district. It is famous for its Old West history.
- Bear Butte in Meade County is a sacred mountain. It is important to many Native American tribes.
- The Old Minnehaha County Courthouse in Minnehaha County is a grand old building. It shows amazing architecture from the past.
Protecting our history
Listing a place on the National Register helps protect it. It encourages people to take care of these sites. It also makes sure that future generations can learn from them. These places are like windows into the past. They help us understand where we came from and how our communities grew.
By learning about these historic places, we can appreciate the stories they tell. They remind us of the people and events that shaped South Dakota.
Images for kids
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South Dakota State Capitol, in Hughes County
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Coughlin Campanile, in Brookings County
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Deadwood, in Lawrence County
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Map of National Register of Historic Places in South Dakota
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Bear Butte, in Meade County
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Old Minnehaha County Courthouse, in Minnehaha County
