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National Register of Historic Places listings in Wise County, Virginia facts for kids

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Map of Virginia highlighting Wise County
Location of Wise County in Virginia

This article is about special places in Wise County, Virginia that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important buildings, areas, and sites in Wise County, Virginia, United States, that have been recognized for their history and special meaning. These places are protected and celebrated because they tell us a lot about the past.

There are 20 different places and areas in Wise County that are on this important list. You can even see where some of them are on an online map if their exact location is shared.

What is the National Register of Historic Places?

The National Register of Historic Places is like a special club for buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is added to this list, it means it's recognized as a valuable part of our country's heritage. It helps protect these places and makes people more aware of their importance. It's a way to make sure these cool old places stick around for a long time!

Cool Historic Buildings in Wise County

Wise County has many interesting buildings that have been around for a long time and have cool stories.

Christ Episcopal Church

Christ Episcopal Church 1892
The beautiful Christ Episcopal Church in Big Stone Gap.

The Christ Episcopal Church in Big Stone Gap was built in 1892. It's a beautiful old church located at 100 Clinton Avenue. Churches like this often show us the building styles that were popular a long time ago. It was added to the National Register in 1990.

Colonial Hotel

The Inn at Wise Courthouse
The historic Colonial Hotel, now known as The Inn at Wise Courthouse.

The Colonial Hotel in Wise is another cool building. It's found at the corner of Main and Spring Streets. This hotel was built a long time ago and has seen many visitors come and go. It was added to the list in 1991. Today, it's known as The Inn at Wise Courthouse.

John Fox Jr. House

John Fox Jr. Home
The home of famous author John Fox Jr.

The John Fox Jr. House is located at 117 Shawnee Avenue in Big Stone Gap. John Fox Jr. was a famous American author who wrote about the Appalachian region. His home is a great example of the kind of houses people lived in during his time. It became a historic place in 1974.

E. M. Fulton House

E. M. Fulton House
The E. M. Fulton House in Wise.

The E. M. Fulton House is at 103 West Main Street in Wise. This house is a good example of the architecture from the early 1900s. It was added to the National Register in 2006, helping to preserve its unique style and history.

Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park

Southwest VA Museum Frontside
The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park.

The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park is a very important place in Big Stone Gap, located at 10 West Street North. This museum helps tell the story of Southwest Virginia's past, including its coal mining history and pioneer life. It was listed in 2002. It's a great place to visit and learn about the region's heritage.

U.S. Post Office and Courthouse

Big Stone Gap COurthouse
The old U.S. Post Office and Courthouse in Big Stone Gap.

The U.S. Post Office and Courthouse in Big Stone Gap is at 322 Wood Avenue East. This building served as an important government center for many years. It was added to the National Register in 1975, recognizing its role in the community's history and its architectural design.

Wise County Courthouse

Wise County Courthouse - Front View
The Wise County Courthouse.

The Wise County Courthouse is a central building in Wise, found at 206 East Main Street. Courthouses are often very important buildings in a town, where laws are made and justice is served. This courthouse was recognized as a historic place in 1981.

Historic Districts and Other Sites

Sometimes, it's not just one building that's historic, but a whole area! These are called historic districts.

Derby Historic District

Derby Church
A church in the Derby Historic District.

The Derby Historic District is an area near Appalachia. Historic districts are special because they show how a whole community looked and functioned a long time ago. This district was added to the National Register in 2004.

St. Paul Historic District

Old St. Paul Hotel
The Old St. Paul Hotel in the St. Paul Historic District.

The St. Paul Historic District includes parts of 4th and 5th Avenues and Russell and Broad Streets in St. Paul. This area gives us a peek into the past life of the town. It was listed as a historic district in 2011.

Stonega Historic District

Stonega Roman Catholic church then Baptist church
A church building in the Stonega Historic District.

The Stonega Historic District is another important area near Appalachia. It tells the story of how people lived and worked in this region, especially related to mining communities. This district was added to the National Register in 2004.

Country Cabin

Country Cabin
The Country Cabin, a place for traditional music.

The Country Cabin is a unique spot near Norton, located at the junction of US 23 and VA 790. It's known for being a place where traditional Appalachian music is played and preserved. It was listed in 1992, recognizing its cultural importance.

June Tolliver House

June Tolliver House
The "June Tolliver" House in Big Stone Gap.

The "June Tolliver" House is at 522 Clinton Avenue East in Big Stone Gap. This house is famous because it's linked to the popular outdoor drama "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine," which tells a story about the region. It became a historic place in 1973.

Terrace Park Girl Scout Cabin

Terrace Park Girl Scout Cabin corner shot
The historic Terrace Park Girl Scout Cabin.

The Terrace Park Girl Scout Cabin is located at 211 Proctor Street North in Big Stone Gap. This cabin has been a special meeting place for Girl Scouts for many years. It was added to the National Register in 2007, showing its importance to local youth history.

Virginia City Church

Virginia City Church
The Virginia City Church near St. Paul.

The Virginia City Church is on Bull Run Road near St. Paul. This church is an important part of the history of the Virginia City community. It was listed in 2005.

Historic Schools and Farms

Some of the historic places in Wise County are old schools and farms, which show us how education and farming have changed over time.

Flat Gap High School

Flat Gap High School
The old Flat Gap High School building.

Flat Gap High School is on Route 671 near Pound. Old school buildings like this are important because they represent the history of education in the area. It was added to the National Register in 2009.

Kelly View School

Kelly View School
The Kelly View School building.

The Kelly View School is located at Appalachia Elementary School on Norton Road, US 23, in Appalachia. This school building has been a part of the community's learning journey for many years. It was listed in 2006.

Tacoma School

Tacoma School
The Tacoma School building.

The Tacoma School is at 4408 Stone Mountain Road in Coeburn. This old school building tells a story about how children were educated in the past. It was added to the National Register in 1997.

Sunnydale Farm

Sunnydale Farm outbuilding
An outbuilding at Sunnydale Farm.

Sunnydale Farm is located at 12439 Sunnydale Farm Road near Pound. Farms are important historical sites because they show us how people lived off the land and contributed to the economy in earlier times. This farm was listed in 2011.

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