National Register of Historic Places listings in Texas facts for kids

These historic buildings and special areas in Texas are listed in a very important list called the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect places that are important to history. You can find these special places in almost all of Texas's 254 counties!

The lists below show all the properties and areas that are part of the National Register. The names are exactly how they were first added to the list. Sometimes, old place names might seem a bit unusual or have changed over time.

What are Historic Places?

Imagine a building, a park, or even a whole neighborhood that tells a story about the past. These are historic properties or historic districts. They are special because they show us how people lived, worked, or what important events happened a long time ago.

The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the official list of these places in the United States. It's like a hall of fame for historic sites! When a place is on this list, it means it's important to the history of a state or even the whole country.

Why are they important?

• They teach us about the past: These places are like open-air museums. They help us understand history better than just reading about it in books.
• They protect old buildings: Being on the list helps save these places from being torn down or changed too much.
• They make communities special: Historic places often become popular spots for tourists and locals, adding to the unique feel of a town.

Some places are even more special and are called National Historic Landmarks (NHLs). These are places that are super important to the history of the entire United States!

Famous Historic Sites in Texas

Texas is a huge state with a rich history, so it has many amazing historic places. Here are some of the most famous ones you can find on the National Register:

A map showing where historic places are located in Texas.

The Alamo in San Antonio, a very famous historic mission.

The beautiful Texas State Capitol building in Austin.

Mission San José, another historic mission in San Antonio.

The tall San Jacinto Monument in La Porte, marking a key battle in Texas history.

Fort Davis National Historic Site, an old military fort.

The Battleship Texas, a historic warship in La Porte.

The Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District, a famous place for cattle.

Presidio Nuestra Señora de Loreto de la Bahía in Goliad, an old Spanish fort.

Dealey Plaza Historic District in Dallas, a significant historical location.

The The Strand Historic District in Galveston, known for its historic buildings.

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Boyhood Home in Johnson City.

The Astrodome in Houston, the world's first domed stadium.

Terlingua Historic District, an old mining town.

The Texas Governor's Mansion in Austin.

Presidio Chapel of San Elizario, a historic mission.

Woodland, the home of famous Texan Sam Houston in Huntsville.

Texas Centennial Exposition Buildings (1936-1937) at Fair Park in Dallas.

The Apollo Mission Control Center in Houston, where space missions were guided.

The Ellis County Courthouse Historic District in Waxahachie.

The Spanish Governor's Palace in San Antonio.

The JA Ranch in Claude, a historic cattle ranch.

Historic Places by County

Texas has 254 counties, and many of them have places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The table below shows how many sites are listed in each county. It also shows how many of those are extra-special National Historic Landmarks (NHLs).