National Register of Historic Places listings in Waseca County, Minnesota facts for kids
Have you ever wondered about the old buildings and special places in your community? Many towns have important spots that tell stories about the past. In Waseca County, Minnesota, there are several amazing places that are so important, they've been added to a special list called the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect and celebrate buildings, sites, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture.
These places in Waseca County show us what life was like long ago. They highlight how people lived, worked, and built their communities. Let's explore some of these cool historic spots!
Cool Historic Places in Waseca County
W. J. Armstrong Company Wholesale Grocers Building
This building is located at 202 2nd Street SW in Waseca. It was built around 1900. This old warehouse is a great example of how important trains were to Waseca's growth. It shows how goods were brought in and sent out by rail.
John W. Aughenbaugh House
You can find this beautiful house at 831 3rd Avenue NE in Waseca. Built in 1897, it's one of the most impressive homes in the area. It belonged to someone important in the local milling industry, which was a big business back then.
Philo C. Bailey House
The Philo C. Bailey House is at 401 2nd Avenue NE in Waseca. This house was home to a very active person named Philo C. Bailey from 1872 to 1907. He was a pioneer, a businessman, and a leader in the community. He helped Waseca grow in many ways. Today, this house is used as a research library by the Waseca County Historical Society.
Hofmann Apiaries
Located at 4661 420th Avenue near Janesville, this is a truly unique historic site. An apiary is a place where bees are kept, usually for making honey. This apiary has ten buildings from 1907 to 1933. It was one of the biggest honey producers in the Midwest. The Hofmann family was known for their smart and new ways of beekeeping and processing honey.
Janesville Free Public Library
This library is at 102 West 2nd Street in Janesville. It's a well-preserved example of a Carnegie library. These libraries were built with money donated by Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman. This one was built in 1912 and has a grand style called Neoclassical architecture, which looks like ancient Greek and Roman buildings.
Seha Sorghum Mill
You can find the Seha Sorghum Mill off County Highway 5, near Janesville. This mill was active from about 1904 to 1956. It's the only surviving sorghum syrup mill in Minnesota. Sorghum syrup is a sweet liquid made from the sorghum plant, similar to molasses. This mill shows how important farming and local industries were to the region.
New Richland Odd Fellows Hall
This building, also known as Strangers Refuge Lodge Number 74, IOOF, is at 119 South Broadway Avenue in New Richland. It was built in 1902. It was home to a large and important local group called the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, which was a type of fraternal organization (a social club for men). It was also a key place for many other community events. Today, it houses the New Richland Public Library.
Vista Lutheran Church
The Vista Lutheran Church is located north of New Richland, off Minnesota Highway 13. This church was built in 1908. It's a well-preserved symbol of the main Swedish American settlement in Waseca County, which started in 1857. It shows the history of the Swedish people who settled in the area.
Roscoe P. Ward House
This house is at 804 East Elm Avenue in Waseca. It was built in 1896 and belonged to Roscoe P. Ward. He was an important local leader in politics and finance. The house reflects his standing in the community.
Waseca County Courthouse
The Waseca County Courthouse is at 307 North State Street in Waseca. Built in 1897, this building is very important because it's where the county's government operates. It also played a big role in Waseca becoming the county seat, which means it became the main city for the county's government and business.
William R. Wolf House
You can find the William R. Wolf House at 522 2nd Avenue NE in Waseca. Built around 1895, it's the best example in Waseca of a successful merchant's home. It also shows off the beautiful Queen Anne style architecture, which was popular back then with its towers, turrets, and decorative details. Today, it's a bed and breakfast!
