Did you know that the U.S. National Park Service is divided into different types of parks? They’re known as official units, and the National Parks (like Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon) usually get the most press.
Today, however, I thought I’d highlight one of its lesser known units – the U.S. National Historic Sites! Both this and National Historical Park designations mean a place has particularly historic significance to American history. According to the NPS, the only difference is that historical parks tend to be larger and more complex than historic sites. I thought it’d be fun to look at all 85 sites, so here’s every single one divided by state and territory!
TIPS
Every Single U.S. National Historic Site
- August 21, 2026
Did you know that the U.S. National Park Service is divided into different types of parks? They’re known as official units, and the National Parks (like Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon) usually get the most press.
Today, however, I thought I’d highlight one of its lesser known units – the U.S. National Historic Sites! Both this and National Historical Park designations mean a place has particularly historic significance to American history. According to the NPS, the only difference is that historical parks tend to be larger and more complex than historic sites.
I thought it’d be fun to look at all 85 sites, so here’s every single one divided by state and territory!
Every Single U.S. National Historic Site
Alabama
Both historic sites in Alabama are dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen. They were an extremely distinguished all African-American group of fighter (332nd Fighter Group) and bomber (477th Bombardment Group) pilots in World War II. Their name comes from TuskegeeUniversity where they trained.
- Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site – Here’s where the airmen did their training, also known as Moton Field.
- Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site – This is the university itself! It goes back to 1881 and also includes landmarks related to Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver. Fun fact – it’s still an active university today.
Arizona
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site – Ruins of a U.S. army outpost notable for its role in the Apache Wars and the surrender of Geronimo in 1886. While you’re here, visit the Chiricahua National Monument, a series of balanced rocks and hoodoos.
- Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site – The oldest continuously operating trading post on Navajo Nation and in the American Southwest. It’s also a somber reminder of the Long Walk of the Navajo.
Arkansas
- Fort Smith National Historic Site – (Also in Oklahoma), this fort once held the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, which had jurisdiction over what was then known as Indian Territory. Its notoriety, though, comes from its role in the Trail of Tears.
- Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site – When built in 1927, it became known as the largest and most beautiful high school in the country. Its fame, though, is thanks to the Little Rock Nine. This was a group of Black students who were denied entry because of their race and eventually required intervention from President Eisenhower.
- President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site – Where Clinton spent the first four years of his life with his grandparents in the town of Hope.
CONTINUE ON TO THE REST OF THE STATES!>>>>