National Register of Historic Places listings in Wheeler County, Oregon facts for kids

Wheeler County, Oregon, is home to some special places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important buildings and sites that are recognized for their history and unique design. These places are protected to make sure they last for a long time, so everyone can learn about them.

Historic Places in Wheeler County

Wheeler County has several buildings and sites that are important to its history. These places are officially recognized because they tell us a lot about the past.

Fossil Public School: A Classic Building

The Fossil Public School is a beautiful old school building located at 404 Main Street in Fossil, Oregon. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 22, 2013.

The Fossil Public School building, a great example of Classical Revival style.

This school was built in the Classical Revival style. This means its design was inspired by ancient Greek and Roman buildings. Think of grand columns and balanced shapes! It's a very formal and impressive style often used for important public buildings. The school has been a key part of the community in Wheeler County, Oregon for many years.

Thomas Benton Hoover House: A Pioneer's Home

The Thomas Benton Hoover House is another important historic building in Fossil, Oregon. You can find it on 1st Street, between Adams and Washington Streets. This house was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 14, 1978.

The historic Thomas Benton Hoover House in Fossil, Oregon.

Thomas Benton Hoover, an early settler, built this two-story house in 1882. It is made of clapboard, which means it has overlapping wooden boards on the outside. Mr. Hoover was a very important person in early Fossil. He was the town's first merchant, selling goods to people. He also served as the first mayor, helping to lead the town. He was a justice of the peace, which meant he helped with local laws. He was even the first postmaster, in charge of mail.

Mr. Hoover also helped manage the county and schools. He named the town "Fossil" in 1876 after finding a fossil on his property. This house tells the story of an important pioneer who helped shape the town of Fossil.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Oregon
• Listings in neighboring counties: Crook, Gilliam, Grant, Jefferson, Morrow, Wasco
• Historic preservation
• History of Oregon
• Lists of Oregon-related topics

External links

• Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, National Register Program
• National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places site