National Register of Historic Places listings in northern Chester County, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Northern Chester County, Pennsylvania, is home to many amazing historic places! These special spots are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history.
Northern Chester County is the area north of the Pennsylvania Main Line and west of a line from Phoenixville to Exton. There are 88 historic properties and districts in this part of the county. Two of these are even more special: they are National Historic Landmarks, meaning they are super important to the history of the entire United States!
Contents
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of places in the United States that are worth saving. These places could be buildings, neighborhoods, or even old battlefields. They are important because they tell us about the past. They show us how people lived, worked, and built things long ago.
When a place is added to the Register, it gets special recognition. This can help protect it from being torn down or changed too much. It also helps people learn about its history.
Cool Historic Places in Northern Chester County
Northern Chester County has a rich history, from old hospitals to iron furnaces and charming villages. Let's explore some of these cool places!
Historic Buildings and Homes
Many individual buildings in Northern Chester County have been recognized for their unique history.
Clement Atkinson Memorial Hospital
The Clement Atkinson Memorial Hospital in Coatesville was listed in 2011. This hospital was very important because it was one of the first hospitals in the area built to serve African American patients. It shows a key part of Coatesville's community history.
Lukens Steel Company Buildings
Coatesville is also home to several historic sites related to the Lukens Steel Company, which was a huge part of the town's growth.
- The Lukens Historic District includes several buildings like the Lukens Main Office Building and Terracina. These places tell the story of a major American steel company and its impact on the community.
- Terracina is a beautiful old house that was once home to Rebecca Lukens, a pioneering woman who ran the steel company in the 1800s. She was an amazing businesswoman for her time!
Old Houses and Farms
You can find many old homes and farms that show how people lived centuries ago.
- The Thomas Bull House in East Nantmeal Township is a historic home from the late 1700s.
- The Downingtown Log House in Downingtown is a very old log cabin, showing early building styles.
- Hopewell Farm in Valley Township and William Ferguson Farm in Wallace Township are examples of historic farms that have been preserved.
- Ker-Feal in West Pikeland Township is a unique home designed by famous architects Louis Kahn and Oscar Stonorov.
Historic Districts: Villages and Neighborhoods
Sometimes, it's not just one building that's historic, but a whole group of them! These are called historic districts.
Birchrunville Historic District
Birchrunville Historic District in West Vincent Township is a charming village that looks much like it did long ago. It includes the old Birchrunville General Store, which was a central part of community life.
Coatesville Historic District
The Coatesville Historic District covers a large part of downtown Coatesville. It includes many buildings that show the town's history as an industrial center. The National Bank of Coatesville Building is one of the notable structures here.
Chester Springs Historic District
The Chester Springs Historic District in West Pikeland Township was once a famous spa town. People would come here to relax and enjoy the natural springs. It has beautiful old buildings like the Yellow Springs Tavern.
Other Notable Districts
- Elverson Historic District in Elverson and Lionville Historic District in Uwchlan Township are other examples of historic villages.
- St. Peter's Village Historic District in Warwick Township is a unique village built around a historic iron furnace. It's known for its old stone buildings and rocky stream.
Industrial History: Furnaces and Mills
Chester County played a big role in early American industry, especially with iron production and mills.
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site in Warwick Township is a National Historic Landmark. This was a working iron furnace from the 1700s to the late 1800s. It shows how iron was made long ago and how people lived and worked in an industrial village. You can explore the old furnace, ironmaster's house, and other buildings.
Isabella Furnace
Isabella Furnace in West Nantmeal Township is another important iron furnace site. It was active from 1835 to 1893 and was known for making high-quality iron.
Historic Mills
Many old mills are also listed, showing the importance of farming and grinding grain.
- The Lightfoot Mill (also known as Anselma Mill) in West Pikeland Township is a National Historic Landmark. It's a well-preserved grist mill that still grinds grain today!
- The Roger Hunt Mill in Downingtown and Prizer's Mill Complex in East Pikeland Township are other examples of these important historical sites.
Historic Bridges
Chester County has several beautiful old bridges, especially covered bridges.
Covered Bridges
- Rapps Bridge in East Pikeland Township is a classic covered bridge, built in 1866.
- The Larkin Covered Bridge in Upper Uwchlan Township is another charming example of these wooden bridges.
- Brower's Bridge in East Nantmeal Township is also a covered bridge, crossing French Creek.
Images for kids
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Birchrunville Historic District
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Bridge Mill Farm
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Brower's Bridge
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Thomas Bull House
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Byers Station Historic District
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Caln Meeting House
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Carver Court
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Clinger-Moses Mill Complex
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Coatesville Historic District
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Coatesville Veterans Administration Hospital Historic District
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Continental Powder Works at French Creek
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County Bridge No. 101
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County Bridge No. 124
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Coventry Hall
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Coventryville Historic District
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Deery Family Homestead
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Downingtown Log House
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East Lancaster Avenue Historic District
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Nicholas East House
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Elverson Historic District
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Fagley House
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William Ferguson Farm
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French Creek Farm
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Fricks Locks Historic District
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General Washington Inn
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Glenmoore Historic District
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Hall's Bridge
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Hares Hill Road Bridge
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George Hartman House
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Hatfield-Hibernia Historic District
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Hibernia House
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High Bridge
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Hockley Mill Farm
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Hopewell Farm
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Roger Hunt Mill
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Abram Huston House and Carriage House
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Kennedy Bridge
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Ker-Feal
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Kimberton Village Historic District
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John Knauer House and Mill
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Lahr Farm
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Larkin Covered Bridge
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Lionville Historic District
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Lukens Main Office Building
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Marshall's Bridge
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Simon Meredith House
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Stephen Meredith House
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Nathan Michener House
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Middle Pickering Rural Historic District
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Nantmeal Village Historic District
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National Bank of Coatesville Building
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North Warwick Historic and Archeological District
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Parker's Ford
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Parkesburg National Bank
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Parkesburg School
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Pleasant Hill Plantation
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Pottstown Landing Historic District
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Prizer's Mill Complex
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Reading Furnace Historic District
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Rice-Pennebecker Farm
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River Bend Farm
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Philip Rogers House
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Robert Rooke House
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St. Mary's Episcopal Church
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St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church
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Sandy Hill Tavern
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Springton Manor Farm
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Strickland-Roberts Homestead
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Terracina
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Townsend House
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Uwchlan Meetinghouse
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Vincent Forge Mansion
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Warrenpoint
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Warwick Furnace Farms
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Warwick Mills
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Welkinweir
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West Vincent Highlands Historic District
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Wheelen House
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Jacob Winings House and Clover Mill
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