National Register of Historic Places listings in Wayne County, Indiana facts for kids
This article is about the National Register of Historic Places in Wayne County, Indiana. It's a special list of important buildings, places, and sites in the United States that are worth saving and protecting. Think of it as a hall of fame for historic places!
Wayne County, Indiana, has many cool places on this list. There are 39 properties and historic districts. One of them is even a National Historic Landmark, which is a very high honor! Two other places were once on the list but have since been removed.
These historic places are found in different towns and areas across Wayne County. Some are in cities like Richmond or Cambridge City. Others are in smaller areas called townships, like Washington Township.
Contents
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the official list of places in the United States that are important to our history. These places could be buildings, neighborhoods, archaeological sites, or even landscapes. When a place is on the NRHP, it means it has been recognized for its special history, architecture, or cultural meaning.
Being on the list helps protect these places. It also helps people learn about the past and why these sites matter. It's like a big museum without walls, where you can visit and explore history firsthand!
Cool Historic Places in Wayne County
Wayne County is full of amazing historic sites. Here are some of the places that are on the National Register of Historic Places:
Homes with History
Many old homes in Wayne County are on the list because of their unique architecture or the important people who lived there.
- Beechwood (Isaac Kinsey House): This historic house is located south of Milton in Washington Township. It was added to the list in 1975.
- Mary Birdsall House: Found in Richmond, this house was listed in 1999.
- Conklin-Montgomery House: This house in Cambridge City became a historic listing in 1975.
- David Worth Dennis House: Another Richmond home, listed in 2001.
- Abram Gaar House and Farm: Located northeast of Richmond in Wayne Township, this farm was added in 1975.
- Oliver P. and Mary Alice Gaar House: This Richmond home was listed in 2017.
- Henry and Alice Gennett House: A Richmond home listed in 1983.
- Lewis Jones House: Northeast of Centerville in Center Township, this house was listed in 1984.
- Oliver P. Morton House: Located in Centerville, this house was listed in 1975. Oliver P. Morton was a very important governor of Indiana during the Civil War.
- Andrew F. Scott House: A Richmond home listed in 1975.
- John and Caroline Stonebraker House: This house in Hagerstown was added to the list in 2014.
- Witt-Champe-Myers House: Found in Dublin, this house was listed in 1995.
Special Buildings and Sites
Beyond homes, other types of buildings and sites are also recognized for their historical value.
- Bethel A.M.E. Church: This church in Richmond has been on the list since 1975.
- Doddridge Chapel and Cemetery: Southwest of Centerville in Washington Township, this historic chapel and cemetery were listed in 2003.
- Earlham College Observatory: Located on the Earlham College campus in Richmond, this observatory was listed in 1975. It's a cool place where people used to study the stars!
- Forest Hills Country Club: This country club in Wayne Township was listed in 2015.
- Hagerstown I.O.O.F. Hall: This hall in Hagerstown was listed in 1978. I.O.O.F. stands for "Independent Order of Odd Fellows," a friendly society.
- Hicksite Friends Meetinghouse (Wayne County Museum): This historic meetinghouse in Richmond was listed in 1975 and now serves as the Wayne County Museum.
- Huddleston Farmhouse: Located on U.S. Route 40 in Mount Auburn, this farmhouse was listed in 1975. It was once a tavern and a stop for travelers.
- King-Dennis Farm: North of Centerville in Center Township, this farm was listed in 2000.
- Lackey-Overbeck House: This house in Cambridge City was listed in 1976.
- Leland Hotel: This historic hotel in Richmond was listed in 1985.
- Murray Theater: The Murray Theater in Richmond was listed in 1982. It's a classic movie theater!
- Richmond High School: The high school building in Richmond was added to the list in 2015.
- Samuel G. Smith Farm: West of Richmond in Center Township, this farm was listed in 1983.
- Wayne County Courthouse: The main courthouse for Wayne County, located in Richmond, was listed in 1978. This is where important government work happens.
- Westcott Stock Farm: This farm in Centerville was listed in 1998.
Historic Districts
Sometimes, it's not just one building that's important, but a whole group of buildings or a neighborhood. These are called historic districts.
- Cambridge City Historic District: This district in Cambridge City was listed in 1991. It includes many old buildings in the town.
- Centerville Historic District: The historic district in Centerville was one of the first places in Wayne County to be listed, back in 1971.
- East Main Street-Glen Miller Park Historic District: This district in Richmond includes a historic street and a park, listed in 1986.
- Old Richmond Historic District: This large district in Richmond was listed in 1974 and shows how the city used to look.
- Reeveston Place Historic District: Another Richmond district, listed in 2003.
- Richmond Downtown Historic District: The heart of downtown Richmond was listed in 2011.
- Richmond Railroad Station Historic District: This area around the old train station in Richmond was listed in 1987.
- Starr Historic District: This Richmond district was listed in 1974.
The Levi Coffin House: A National Historic Landmark
The Levi Coffin House in Fountain City is extra special because it's a National Historic Landmark. This is the highest level of historical recognition in the United States!
The Levi Coffin House was a very important stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network of safe houses and routes that helped enslaved people escape to freedom before the Civil War. Levi Coffin and his wife, Catharine, were brave abolitionists (people who wanted to end slavery). They helped more than 2,000 people find freedom, earning Levi the nickname "President of the Underground Railroad." The house was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1966. It's a powerful reminder of a difficult but important time in American history.
Former Listings
Sometimes, a place might be removed from the National Register. This can happen if the building is destroyed or changed so much that it loses its historic importance.
- Richmond Gas Company Building: This building in Richmond was listed in 1981 but removed in 2012.
- Starr Piano Company Warehouse and Administration Building: Also in Richmond, this building was listed in 1981 but removed in 1995.
Images for kids
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Beechwood (Isaac Kinsey House)
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Bethel A.M.E. Church
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Mary Birdsall House
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Cambridge City Historic District
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Centerville Historic District
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Conklin-Montgomery House
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David Worth Dennis House
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Doddridge Chapel and Cemetery
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Earlham College Observatory
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East Main Street-Glen Miller Park Historic District
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Forest Hills Country Club
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Abram Gaar House and Farm
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Henry and Alice Gennett House
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Hagerstown I.O.O.F. Hall
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Hicksite Friends Meetinghouse
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The Huddleston House Tavern
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Lewis Jones House
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King-Dennis Farm
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Lackey-Overbeck House
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Leland Hotel
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Oliver P. Morton House
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Murray Theater
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Old Richmond Historic District
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Reeveston Place Historic District
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Richmond Downtown Historic District
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Richmond High School
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Richmond Railroad Station Historic District
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Andrew F. Scott House
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Samuel G. Smith Farm
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Starr Historic District
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John and Caroline Stonebraker House
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Wayne County Courthouse
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Westcott Stock Farm
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Witt-Champe-Myers House
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Richmond Gas Company Building
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Starr Piano Company Warehouse and Administration Building
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