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Atlas Obscura is a unique online portal that explores the world's hidden wonders, offbeat travel destinations, and unusual cultural phenomena. It is an amalgamation of a travel guide, an international magazine, a compendium of esoteric knowledge, and a community of like-minded explorers. The website is a treasure trove of intriguing articles, stunning photographs, and riveting videos that inspire curiosity and spark wanderlust. It delves into the depths of human history, delving into ancient myths, forgotten historical events, enigmatic cultures, eccentric hobbies, and curious traditions from every corner of the globe. In addition to its online content, Atlas Obscura also partners with tour operators to organize extraordinary travel experiences for its readers. These trips, known as Obscura Excursions, offer the opportunity to delve deeply into remote locations and special interests, from the magnificent caves of Croatia to the tranquil monasteries of Bhutan. Moreover, Atlas Obscura fosters a thriving community of individuals who find joy in the unconventional, the obscure, and the unexpected. Users can share their own discoveries, connect with fellow travelers, and participate in discussions about various intriguing topics. The site, therefore, transcends its function as a single-source knowledge portal, becoming a platform for intellectual exchange and camaraderie between those who dare to explore beyond the beaten path.

Atlas Obscura - Latest Articles and Places atlasobscura.com

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RSS Hunter • Aug 19, 2024

Thread Of Notes

Anchorage: A City Within the Wild

Anchorage seamlessly integrates nature into daily life, offering urban dwellers easy access to the wild. The city's unique location on a coastal plain transitioning to alpine slopes fosters diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife. Ship Creek, an urban Chinook fishery, provides sport fishing and birdwatching opportunities with its namesake trail offering views of salmon runs. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, a lengthy path accessible from multiple points, allows for walking, biking, and skiing through various biomes with stunning mountain and inlet vistas. Kincaid Park, a large green space on a former missile base, boasts extensive trails, recreational facilities, and winter sports opportunities. Potter Marsh, part of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge, is a prime wildlife viewing spot with boardwalks over wetlands, attracting numerous bird species, moose, and muskrats. Beluga Point offers spectacular mountain views and is a known spot for beluga whales in summer, as well as witnessing the impressive Turnagain Arm bore tide. Flattop Mountain, Alaska's most climbed mountain, provides a challenging hike with panoramic views of the city and surrounding peaks. Visitors can also enjoy berry picking and paragliding at Flattop. These diverse natural attractions make Anchorage an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts, blending city comforts with wilderness exploration.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/anchorage-a-city-within-the-wild-guide atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Yesterday

Castillo de los Tres Santos Reyes del Morro (Morro Castle) in Havana, Cuba

Every night at 9:00 PM a reenactment of Colonial Spanish soldiers from the 18th century preform a ceremony to light a cannon. The sound can be heard from most places in Old Havana, but to be in the crowd at the castle and witness it close up is spectacular. Be sure to go back in the daytime and tour the lighthouse and castle. You may climb to the top and from there the view of all of Havana and the ocean will take your breath away. Your tour guide will give you the history of the castle and show you the parts used as a prison. fter that you are free to wander the grounds at your leisure. It is huge so wear good hiking shoes. As you take in the sights it is easy to imagine pirates out on the horizon and the need for all the cannons.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/castillo-de-los-tres-santos-reyes-del-morro-morro-castle atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Yesterday

Where to See the World’s Creepiest Dolls and Toys

Dolls have historically been seen as unsettling, especially after the 18th century when they became more lifelike, and later during the Victorian Era with mourning dolls. Pop culture further cemented the image of dolls as creepy with characters like Chucky and Annabelle. Several locations around the world feature dolls and eerie toys, ranging from whimsical art projects to displays born from dark histories. Tombées du Camion in France offers vintage factory objects with nostalgic value, while Ospedale delle Bambole in Italy is a family-run shop repairing broken dolls for generations. The Nutshell Studies in Baltimore are 1-inch scale dioramas of crime scenes meticulously created for forensic training. The House of Dreams Museum in London is an artist's home transformed into a mosaic of his life experiences. Mary's Gone Wild in North Carolina showcases thousands of handmade dolls, with proceeds benefiting children's charities. Two historic doll repair shops, Hospital de Bonecas in Lisbon and its predecessor in Rome, have amassed unclaimed dolls over centuries. In Stockholm, lost toys adorn the Nybohov Funicular, and Atlanta's Doll's Head Trail features an art trail made entirely of found objects from the park. Robert the Doll in Key West is a famous haunted doll visitors can see at a museum. Edinburgh's Burke & Hare Murder Dolls are mysterious figures found in miniature coffins, possibly representing victims of infamous murderers. The Doll Garden of Sabile in Latvia features hundreds of straw dolls engaged in various activities, and Japan's Miyoshi Mononoke Museum exhibits supernatural creatures from folklore. Aunt Claudia's Dolls in Alaska displays a vast collection of global dolls, emphasizing Alaskan Indigenous artistry. The Beaver Island Toy Museum presents a quirky collection of vintage toys, and The Troll Hole in Ohio celebrates Scandinavian folklore creatures.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/where-to-see-the-world-s-creepiest-dolls-and-toys atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Yesterday

TWA Flight 529 Memorial in Willowbrook, Illinois

On September 1st, 1961, at 2:00 am, TWA Flight 529 took off from Chicago’s Midway Airport for the last leg of its cross-country journey. Originating in Boston, Flight 529 had already stopped in New York, Pittsburgh, and Chicago, with its next scheduled stop being Las Vegas before continuing to Los Angeles.Shortly after takeoff, the plane (a Lockheed Constellation L-049 prop liner) pitched up and stalled out. Unable to be brought back under control, the plane crashed at 2:05 am in a cornfield in what is now Willowbrook, Illinois. Though first responders were on the scene within minutes, they found no survivors. All 73 passengers and 5 crew members on board were killed, including entire families. Miraculously, no houses were hit. The cause of the crash was determined to be a 5/16 mm bolt in the elevator boost that had fallen out prior to takeoff.Though it was the deadliest plane disaster at the time, it started to become forgotten as the years passed. Determined to make sure the victims would be remembered, a small group of locals came together and organized the creation of a permanent memorial. On the 60th anniversary of the crash, September 1st, 2021, a permanent memorial was dedicated to the victims and the first responders. The memorial is a black granite block. The names of the victims as well as the story of Flight 529 are engraved on the front. The backside contains tributes to the first responders and volunteer fire departments who helped with the aftermath.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/twa-flight-529-memorial atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Yesterday

Facade of the Former Mármoles Molina Shop in Madrid, Spain

Tucked into an ordinary street near Madrid’s Plaza Mayor is a façade that seems to have survived by sheer stubbornness. Wedged between apartment blocks on Calle Concepción Jerónima, its arches, columns, shells, and carved coat of arms look more like the entrance to a forgotten palace than a former marble shop. Yet this elaborate fragment once belonged to Mármoles Molina, a business that made tombstones, niches, and funerary monuments.When the original building was demolished to make way for a textile business, the façade could not be destroyed with it. Protected by Madrid’s heritage regulations, it had to be rebuilt after the works, preserving one of the street’s strangest architectural survivors.Its creator was José Urioste y Velada, an important Madrid architect whose work includes the Almudena Cemetery and several landmarks in Retiro park. Today, the premises stand empty, but the façade remains. If you’re wandering between the Plaza Mayor and Madrid’s older streets, look up—you may pass this peculiar survivor without realizing you’ve stumbled upon one of the city’s most unexpected architectural details.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/facade-of-the-former-marmoles-molina-shop atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Yesterday

Ruins of the Ferenc József Bridge in Budapest, Hungary

Budapest's Liberty Bridge, also known as Szabadság híd, is a visually striking green bridge connecting Gellert Hill and the Central Market. It is the only central bridge with regular tram service, making it a popular photographic subject. However, it holds a significant historical secret beneath its surface. The original Ferenc József Bridge was destroyed during World War II bombings in January 1945. When the Danube River's water level is low, especially in summer, the ruins of the former bridge become visible. These remnants are the skeleton of the bridge destroyed by a Soviet shell detonating German explosives. This destruction occurred on January 16, 1945, during the Siege of Budapest. The reappearance of these ruins is likely to become more frequent. This is due to the increasing occurrences of hot, dry summers caused by climate change in Hungary and across Europe. The low river levels allow glimpses of this submerged history to those who are observant.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ruins-of-the-destroyed-ferenc-jozsef-bridge atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 22

First Death Marker on the Trail of Death in Rochester, Indiana

The Potawatomi Trail of Death was a tragic forced removal of Native Americans driven by greed and western expansion. On September 4, 1838, 859 Potawatomi people began a 660-mile march from Indiana to Kansas. This grueling journey lasted 61 days, during which 42 Potawatomi died due to harsh conditions and scarcity of resources. The state of Indiana and the federal government wanted the Potawatomi's land for westward expansion and canal construction. Despite many tribes having moved peacefully, Chief Menominee and his band at Twin Lakes refused to leave their ancestral lands. Governor David Wallace dispatched General John Tipton with a militia to forcibly remove them. The militia burned their village and crops before the march commenced. Upon arriving in Kansas on November 4, 1838, the promised aid and cabins were absent. The Potawatomi were forced to endure the winter in ravines. A marker near Rochester, Indiana, commemorates the first child's death on September 5, 1838. Today, over 70 markers trace the entire route of this devastating event.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/first-death-marker-on-the-trail-of-death atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 22

Hunebed D27 in Borger, Netherlands

Just a short walk from the Hunebedcentrum in Borger stands D27, the largest dolmen in the Netherlands. At over 22 meters (74 feet) long and more than 5,000 years old, this megalithic monument was already ancient when Stonehenge was still centuries away.Massive boulders form the tomb, including the heaviest capstone ever used in a Dutch dolmen, estimated to weigh around 20 tons. The monument has fascinated visitors for centuries. In fact, the first documented archaeological excavation of a Dutch dolmen took place here in 1685.Yet D27 still guards its secrets. Much of the site remains undisturbed, and its sealed burial chamber continues to fuel questions about what may still lie hidden beneath these ancient stones. Standing beside the giant tomb, it is easy to understand why D27 is known as the king of the Dutch dolmens.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/hunebed-d27 atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 21

Grotta Tanaccia in San Marino, San Marino

Grotta Tanaccia is an ancient rock niche on the edge of Monte Titano, located just outside the city walls near Montale Tower.The niche in the cliff face of Monte Titano, cave feels too grand a word for what you'll find, saw active use as a place of worship from the second Iron Age, through the Roman period and to the late-antique period. Grotta Tanaccia is therefore considered the oldest sanctuary in the Republic of San Marino.Excavations here have discovered bronze votive offerings, anatomical terracotta offerings depicting arms and fingers, and over a hundred coins. All of these treasures can be seen in the State Museum of San Marino.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/grotta-tanaccia atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 21

PDX Carpet Memorial in Portland, Oregon

On the side of the Hampton Inn, in downtown Portland, Oregon, there is a sign commemorating the carpet of PDX airport. Beloved for its ugliness, the carpet was widely recognizable to travelers throughout the world.The carpet, designed by SRG Partnerships in 1987, had a retro-geometric shape on a green background. The distinctive pattern was inspired by intersecting runways and taxiways that one would find at an airport. The unique design quickly became a symbol for the town. And with the rise in airport selfies, travelers posting pictures of the carpet grew. The carpet would become a symbol for Portland, branching out into socks, hats, beer labels, t-shirts, and even tattoos. In 2013, it was announced that the carpet, all 13 acres of it, would be removed starting in 2015, and replaced with a new updated version. Remnants of the carpet were available at local furniture stores; a Portland themed bar in Tokyo has framed rectangles of the carpet on its walls.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/pdx-carpet-memorial-sign atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 21

Roundels of Historical Figures in Mumbai, India

One of the most important landmarks in Mumbai is the Hutatma Chowk / Flora Fountain area. A major square and traffic junction, it is surrounded by vintage buildings, arcades and tree lined walkways. In the centre of the square is the iconic Flora Fountain dedicated to the Roman Goddess Flora. Next to it is the Hutatma Statue. Directly to the north of the fountain, there is a tall triangular stone building. It is a most fascinating structure. With its towers and turrets, it resembles a fairytale castle. On the front façade of the structure, it says: Oriental Buildings. This place was originally the site of the Cathedral High School. Later it was acquired by the Oriental Life Assurance Company and remodelled into the current iconic structure. The architect of the building was Frederick William Stevens, who had also designed the CSMT Railway Station Building and the BMC Building.The structure of Oriental Buildings is amongst the architect’s most admired works. The main tower in the centre has a tiled pyramidal roof with a wrought-iron roof cresting at the top. The rest of the structure has a lot of stunning turrets and spirelets. One of the most fascinating features of this building is the fact that on the main tower, near the top, there are roundels of famous figures from history. On the front side, there are three roundels. At the centre is William Shakespeare. The other two are believed to be Socrates and Plato. There are other figures too, on the roundels located on the other sides of the tower.It is very fascinating to note this feature of the building, which displays legendary historical figures keeping a watch over this square in the heart of Mumbai.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/roundels-of-historical-figures atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 21

Bedford Flag in Bedford, Massachusetts

In a small historic town on the outskirts of Boston lies the Bedford Flag, the oldest complete surviving flag in the United States.The flag’s almost-square base is an ornate crimson silk damask with a pattern of pomegranates, grapes, and leaves. Painted over it in silver and gold, an armored hand reaches out from a cloud grasping a sword. The sword lies behind a banner reading Vince Aut Morire, Conquer or Die. Above and below the arm, three cannonballs hang in midair. When the flag was in use, it would also have been adorned with a silver fringe which was unfortunately removed.Despite its claim to fame as the oldest complete surviving flag in the United States the exact year the flag was created, and by whom, is still a mystery. Experts place its creation sometime in the early 1700s because of the Prussian blue pigment used and the unique design on the silk damask. The flag was in the possession of the Page family for 5 generations until 1885 when it was given to the Town of Bedford. Town records show that several members of the Page family were cornets, a military rank responsible for carrying the flag, however, it is likely someone of a higher rank actually acquired the flag.It is said that the minuteman Nathaniel Page may have carried the flag with him into the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. His grandson Cyrus recounted to historian A.E. Brown that the flag was with him at Concord's North Bridge, where the shot heard ‘round the world was fired, marking the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Whether the flag really was there for the shot heard ‘round the world or not, it can still be seen being carried by Bedford Minuteman Company reenactors on Patriots’ Day. It can also be found on the Town of Bedford’s seal, embroidered onto the town’s fire and police department uniforms, and flown in front of homes and local businesses in Bedford.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/bedford-flag atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 20

Giant Perstorp Vinegar Bottle in Perstorp, Sweden

Perstorp's vinegar is a staple of Swedish kitchens, and most Swedes recognize its glass bottle. In 1881, the factory in Perstorp began producing acetic acid using raw materials from the area's beech forests.In this small town in southern Sweden, a nearly 16-foot (5-meter) concrete bottle copies the classic glass one, right down to the red cap and the label. It stands beside a main road leading into the town center as a local symbol of Perstorp's vinegar-making past.The bottle was unveiled in 1994 with music and a speech by well-known television chef Jan Boris-Möller, who used the occasion to explain how vinegar can soften an eggshell enough to squeeze an egg into a bottle.Laminated panels on the bottle give a cucumber-pickling tip and list places to visit in the municipality, all in Swedish.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/giant-perstorp-vinegar-bottle atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 20

U.S. Civil War Veteran's Grave in Stockport, England

In a small municipal cemetery in Stockport, England, lies the grave of George A. Costello, an American Civil War veteran. His grave marker, a sandstone slab, is located in a Catholic burial section and is notable as one of the few resting places of American Civil War veterans in the UK. The marker has a leaning cross, its original three-foot height damaged. The inscription identifies George A. Costello, a veteran who died on July 31st, 1915, at the age of 75. It also mentions his wife, Mary Costello, who died in 1919, and Emily Rose Parr and Norah Parr. George Costello served in the American Civil War enlisted as a substitute and was promoted to Corporal. He was wounded at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, which led to his transfer to the Veteran's Reserve Corps. Family lore suggests he was part of Abraham Lincoln's guard detail at Ford's Theatre, though this is unlikely. After the war, George returned to Dublin and struggled to resume his work as a coach maker due to his injury. He eventually received a U.S. government pension and later moved to Stockport around 1891. By the time of his death, his grandson, Liam Parr, was involved in the Irish Republican movement, organizing arms shipments from England and later participating in the Easter Rising.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/american-civil-war-veterans-grave-in-stockport-nw-england atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 20

Paine House Museum in Coventry, Rhode Island

Have $6 and an empty afternoon with not much else to do in Rhode Island? Well take a visit to this historical museum. Sometimes you may be lucky to encounter a farmer's market taking place on it's lawn during the warmer months, however the real charm is seeing what life was like in the early days of Amercia.Made in the late 1600s and maintained as a reminder to see how far we've come in terms of living comfortably.Once started as a one room home made by Samuel Bennett in order to run his Saw Mill, has been sold to various people over the years and built up and was last lived in during the 1940s.Each owner has done something different with the place and you can learn more about that with your visit here.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/paine-house-museum atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 20

Chapel of Expiation in Paris, France

Seldom used today, the word "expiation" refers to the act of atoning for a sin. In the case of this elegant chapel, the sin in question was regicide. The Chapel of Expiation is built on top of the old Madeleine Cemetery, which became an egalitarian dumping ground for rich and poor alike during the French Revolution. This included King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette, who were hastily buried with little fanfare on the days of their executions. (Ironically enough, the cemetery also held the remains of many who perished during a stampede caused by the king and queen's wedding celebrations.)When the Bourbon dynasty was restored, the new Louis XVIII set about turning his brother and sister-in-law into martyrs. While the king and queen were quickly dug up and reburied in the royal Basilica of Saint Denis, it was soon decided that a grand monument would be erected to their memory, covering the entire square footage of the old cemetery.It's a peaceful spot to visit today, with a courtyard garden surrounded by symbolic tombs leading up to the central chapel. Inside, marble sculptures of the king and queen kneel at the feet of an angel and an allegory of religion, piously awaiting their executions. On a lower level, an altar marks the exact spot where the king's body was exhumed.After future revolutions ended the monarchy for good, the chapel became an ambiguous and uncomfortable symbol of the old order. Restorationists continued to attend its services as a political statement, anti-monarchists campaigned for its demolition, and the short-lived Paris Commune of 1871 even passed legislation to do so.The chapel was eventually deconsecrated and listed as a historic monument. Nevertheless, a mass continues to be held there once a year to commemorate the king's execution, and it remains a popular destination for the small minority of French conservatives who hold out hope for a return of the monarchy.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/chapel-of-expiation atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 19

Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum in Rīga, Latvia

Established and opened in 2010 by the Shamir religious community with assistance from the Riga City Council, the Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum is located in the district of Spīķeri, close to its border with Latgale district, the site of the former Jewish ghetto.Immediately noticeable upon approaching the site is the reconstruction of the ghetto's barbed wire fencing and cobbled stone streets. Next to this is a memorial wall, inscribed with the names of close to 70,000 Jewish casualties, both native and foreign, who perished in Latvia during World War II. The railway carriage in the middle of the courtyard is labeled with the many locations across Europe from where victims were transported to Riga.Further along the courtyard, the memorial wall showcases eerie photos of murdered Latvian Jews and the Riga Ghetto. Another exhibition wall features graphic images of the concentration camps and the mass executions committed by the Einsatzgruppen, the SS death squads.Also in the courtyard is a restored traditional green painted Latvian wooden house. Originally located in the ghetto, it was restored and relocated to the grounds of the museum. The interior shows the cramped and harsh living conditions that its residents were subjected to during the war.The courtyard itself is sandwiched between two old factory buildings, one of which houses the stark "3000 fates" exhibit. Illuminated wooden cubes suspended from the ceiling display photos and documentation of some of the roughly 3000 Czech Jews forcibly transported to Riga from the Terezin Ghetto, of whom only 128 survived.The museum has little in the way of interactive displays, with emphasis placed on the solemn grounds and deeply moving exhibits, providing visitors with a full insight into the horrors that Riga experienced during World War II.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/riga-ghetto-and-latvian-holocaust-museum atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 19

House of Egyptian Architecture in Cairo, Egypt

The Ali Labib House, constructed by two brothers in the 1700s, is a rare example of a fully preserved Ottoman-era Cairene mansion, with elements drawn from both Ottoman Turkish and Egyptian Arab architectural traditions. Since 2010 it has housed the House of Egyptian Architecture, a museum and cultural center showcasing the history of building design in Egypt from antiquity through the modern day.The house itself is a time capsule of Islamic decorative arts, full of elaborate tilework, murals of Turkish cityscapes, stained glass, delicate wooden screens, and intricately carved and painted ceiling panels. Like most residential buildings of the era, the house turns its best face inward, with a relatively plain exterior and a much more ornamental interior built around a central courtyard. A collection of shaded open spaces, high ceilings, and elevated windows keep air circulating - wealthy Egyptians' solution to the desert heat in an era long before air conditioning.In addition to the decor, each room displays an array of photographs, diagrams, and dioramas from all periods of Egyptian architectural history, including both famous landmarks and less grand residential projects. While most text is in Arabic, all sections of the museum are very well illustrated.The rooftop offers a sweeping view of the minarets, fortifications, and pigeon coops of historic Cairo, including several landmarks described by the museum's exhibits.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/house-of-egyptian-architecture atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 19

Smygehuk Fyr in Smygehuk, Sweden

This pot-riveted iron lighthouse served as a light beacon for the Swedish coast from 1883 until 1973, to be later restored and re-lit in April 2001. It's tower is open to visitors and has a beautiful view from the top. The lighthouse keeper service spaces have been converted into a boutique restaurant and hostel. The Smygehuk Lighthouse takes part in the annual International Lightship Weekend during which amateur radio operators gather at various lighthouses and engage in radio communication.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/smygehuk-fyr atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 16

Commercial Signage on the Façade of Gruta 77 in Madrid, Spain

Gruta 77, a beloved rock and roll venue and rehearsal space in Madrid's Carabanchel neighborhood, has been a cornerstone for underground music for almost thirty years. The venue is slated to close its doors permanently at the end of 2026. Its façade has also become a canvas for art, recently displaying Hijas de Rojas, an installation of vintage signs from businesses that have closed. These rescued signs, collected by Paco Graco, represent a tribute to Madrid's vanishing commercial heritage. The collective secured these signs from businesses that had disappeared, transforming Gruta 77's exterior into a memorial. This installation includes items like the sign from Bar Lozano, a notable establishment in Malasaña. Carabanchel itself is experiencing significant changes due to gentrification, with rising property prices and new developments. These transformations are altering the neighborhood's character and pushing out long-time residents and businesses. For many, Gruta 77 is more than just a music venue; it is an integral part of Carabanchel's cultural fabric. Its impending closure signifies the loss of another element of the barrio's alternative identity as gentrification progresses.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/commercial-signage-on-the-facade-of-gruta-77 atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 16

Lubee Bat Conservancy in Gainesville, Florida

Tucked into the “Are you sure we’re not lost?” countryside north of Gainesville sits Lubee Bat Conservancy, a small but world-renowned organization dedicated to saving bats and their habitats. If you thought the bat houses by the university were cool, wait until you meet the giant fruit bats that call Lubee home. Gainesville may be known for its gators, but Lubee’s upside-down celebrities inspire plenty of “Wait, they’re HOW big?” moments, quickly followed by “They’re so damn cute!”If you didn’t love bats before your visit, you’ll leave appreciating them and possibly a little smitten. Lubee is not responsible for the number of photos you take or how many times you say “Awwwww!” 🥰🦇

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/lubee-bat-conservancy atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 16

Deadtime Stories Books & Gifts in Lansing, Michigan

Deadtime Stories Books & Gifts in Lansing's REO Town is a unique shop, blending a bookstore with a spider shop. It offers a diverse collection of new and old books, collectibles, antiques, and various oddities. A defining feature is its live spider collection, with many species on display and available for purchase. This allows customers to potentially leave with a new eight-legged companion alongside their next book.The shop is owned by Jenn Carpenter, a local author and podcaster known for Michigan Monsters and A Festival of Oddities. Her interests in horror, true crime, Michigan history, and unusual items are reflected throughout the store. This eclectic mix makes the spiders feel surprisingly well-integrated into the overall atmosphere. The store possesses a subtly spooky and offbeat personality without appearing to force a specific theme. It's a place where visitors might start looking for a book but find themselves immersed in exploring spiders, collectibles, or discovering unique, unexpected items. For those who appreciate books, spiders, horror, antiques, or simply browsing peculiar things, Deadtime Stories offers a captivating experience.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/deadtime-stories-books-gifts atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 16

Where to See the World’s Most Famous Preserved Body Parts

This text explores various preserved body parts displayed around the world, highlighting their historical, cultural, and scientific significance. From Abraham Lincoln's skull fragments at the National Museum of Health and Medicine to Einstein's brain slivers at the Mütter Museum, these exhibits offer unique insights into human anatomy and famous individuals. The Sourtoe Cocktail in Yukon features an amputated toe used as a drink garnish, while Lindow Man in London provides a remarkably preserved look at an Iron Age individual. The preserved head of Lisbon's first serial killer, Diogo Alves, reflects an early interest in phrenology. Religious relics include St. Anthony's non-decomposed tongue in Padua and Chopin's heart, smuggled to Warsaw. The Transi de René de Chalon in France is a macabre statue depicting a rotting corpse, fulfilling a prince's unusual dying wish. St. Valentine's shoulder blade in Prague and St. Catherine's severed head in Siena are revered religious artifacts, though their authenticity is sometimes debated. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Singapore houses a disputed Buddha tooth, and Galileo's middle finger is displayed in Florence as a tribute to his astronomical contributions. The Museum of Sin in Russia showcases body parts illustrating the effects of vice, while Ireland's Kingship and Sacrifice exhibit features ancient bog bodies. Finally, Captain Samuel Jones's amputated leg is buried in New Hampshire, a peculiar testament to his resilience. These diverse examples illustrate humanity's enduring fascination with preserving and displaying body parts.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/preserved-body-parts-around-the-world atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 16

Abandoned Agricultural Mill in Śmiałowice, Poland

Tucked away in the Polish countryside stands an impressive early 20th-century agricultural mill complex that looks more like a grand estate than a heavy industrial facility. Dominated by a striking multi-story central tower with a decorative roof, the building represents a era when industrial architecture was built with notable aesthetic ambition.Inside, the structure retains an eerie atmosphere of suspended time. A grand wooden and iron spiral staircase coils through the main tower, leading to spacious upper levels where vintage machinery, grain chutes, and wooden sifting equipment remain in place. Sunlight filters through arched windows and ivy-covered sashes, illuminating rooms that still hold original wooden doors, vintage lace curtains, and scattered remnants of daily operations. Though decay has set in, the complex remains an extraordinary capsule of Poland's rural industrial heritage.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/abandoned-agricultural-mill-in-poland atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 15

Iron Fountain Gyumri in Gyumri, Armenia

If you go there in late February, the gray sky matches the mood perfectly. You walk down the cracked concrete of what used to be a grand Soviet boulevard, passing decaying apartment blocks. Just behind some overgrown bushes which look like a makeshift camp. The scale of it is incredibly imposing.Designed by architect Artur Tarkhanyan in 1982. In 1988, a devastating earthquake leveled most of Gyumri. The surrounding buildings crumbled to dust, but the fountain stubbornly survived. Its plumbing was permanently destroyed, and it never sprayed water again.Today, it just stands there, completely dry and rusting in the wind. But when you stand under it, you realize it is not just a forgotten piece of scrap metal. It feels like a genuine, accidental monument. It gives you a very raw, melancholic glimpse of what Gyumri was before the disaster, and what the city was supposed to become. If you appreciate unfiltered history and that specific, quiet post-Soviet atmosphere, this place is absolutely worth the detour.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/iron-fountain-gyumri atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 15

Milton College in Milton, Wisconsin

When Milton College finally closed its doors in 1982, it was the oldest institution of higher education in Wisconsin, beating the University of Wisconsin by four years. The college was originally called Du Lac Academy when it was founded in 1844. Main Hall and Goodrich Hall (the original dorm) – built in 1855 and 1857, respectively – are still standing.Milton College was ahead of its time in admitting women. It was a coeducational institution from the start. In comparison, the University of Wisconsin did not admit women until 1863 and did not give them full coeducational status until the 1870s, thanks in part to anti-coeducation resistance from UW President Chadbourne.Enrollment at Milton College fluctuated over the years, reaching over 800 by the late 1960s. At that time, new buildings were added, including more dormitories, a library, a student center and an athletic facility. Ultimately there were thirteen buildings on campus. All but one of these buildings survives, all adapted to new uses. Main Hall is now owned and operated by the Main Hall Preservation Society, while the library is home to the Milton Public Library.Like many small colleges, Milton College closed due to financial pressures, which caused it to lose its accreditation. Being heavily dependent on tuition without a large endowment, it went into debt and eventually closed when enrollment dropped in the 1970s and 1980s.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/milton-college atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 15

Grave of John Gray in Hiramsburg, Ohio

John Gray was born in 1764 near George Washington's estate, the eldest of eight children. His father, a Patriot soldier, was killed during the Revolutionary War, leaving a young John to care for his family. At seventeen, Gray joined the army and participated in the Siege of Yorktown, contributing to American independence. After the war, he served General Washington at Mount Vernon before moving west to Morgantown, Virginia. Around 1795, he relocated to Ohio, possibly due to Virginia's restrictive voting laws. Gray lived a simple life, sustained by farming and raising livestock. He outlived his wives and children, eventually residing with a step-daughter. Biographer James Dalzell documented Gray's life and advocated for his Revolutionary War pension. Gray was finally recognized as a veteran and received a pension in 1867. He died in 1868 at the age of 104, potentially the longest-surviving verified veteran, though other claims exist. Gray's exceptionally long life spanned a significant period of American history, from colonial times through the Civil War.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/grave-of-john-gray atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 15

Rhossili Down Radar Station in Hillend, Wales

Situated atop the north western end of Rhossili Downs, the Rhossili Down radar station was built in 1942, as part of 'Chain Home Low', a network of World War II radar stations covering the Bristol Channel. Operated by the Army and Royal Air Force with the aim of detecting low flying aircraft at 500 feet (150 m), early warning could then be sent to Swansea upon discovering incoming German bombers.The entire structure was decommissioned in 1945 at the war's conclusion. It was subsequently demolished post-war, with the southern access road and the concrete base all that remain of the radar station.Rid of most of the harsh concrete structure, the stunning views of Rhossili Bay and across to Worm's Head headland take precedence. Despite this, the remains of the Rhossili Down radar station continue to stare out into the Bristol Channel, making it abundantly clear why this site was chosen to defend the Gower Peninsula and South Wales coastline.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/rhossili-down-radar-station atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 14

‘Cross-legged’ in Pristina, Kosovo

During the 1990 protests, thousands of Kosovo Albanians gathered peacefully in Pristina to oppose the Serbian regime. Among them was Faik Rexhepi, a chemical engineer from nearby Presheva, who joined the protesters after learning of a visit by a US delegation and the publicity it might bring to the Albanian cause.When Serbian police moved in to disperse the crowd with batons, everyone fled except Rexhepi, who remained seated and was brutally beaten.Photographer Hazir Reka captured the defining moment: Rexhepi sitting peacefully surrounded by unfriendly policemen. The photograph soon appeared in national and international newspapers, becoming a symbol of Kosovo Albanian resistance.Following Kosovo's independence, by November 2022, Pristina Mayor unveiled Këmbëkryq (“Crossed Legs”), a bronze sculpture by local artist Eliza Shala depicting Rexhepi seated on the floor in a pose identical to the iconic photo.Located in what is now Zahir Pajaziti Square, the sculpture immortalizes the scene that took place there more than three decades earlier.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/cross-legged atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 14

Ta Kon Citadel in Vinh Son, Vietnam

Hidden deep within the remote mountains of Vinh Son, Ta Kon Citadel looks at first glance like the forgotten ruins of a colossal ancient fortress swallowed by the primeval jungle.The geological centerpiece is a massive stone wall stretching 500 to 600 meters along the mountainside and towering up to 40 meters high.Composed of rectangular, hexagonal, and polygonal stone columns packed so tightly together that it appears meticulously carved by human hands, these natural formations date back millions of years.This striking resemblance between an artificial fortification and a purely natural phenomenon creates a stunning visual paradox as green moss and ancient tree roots drape over the geometric stone blocks.In the Bahnar language, Ta Kon refers to massive stone blocks forming a rampart, and the site is woven into local indigenous epics, later serving as a tactical base for historical resistance movements. Standing before this moss-covered geological marvel offers an awe-inspiring glimpse into a fortress with no gates and a legacy shaped entirely by nature.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ta-kon-citadel atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 14

St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Brooklyn, New York

Initially conceived by and built to serve the Irish community of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, this striking Catholic Church was completed in 1905. When completed, and for decades thereafter, it stood as the second-tallest structure in Brooklyn, behind the Williamsburg Savings Bank, located in Downtown Brooklyn.The building was designed by Raymond F. Almirall, a prominent architect who trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He selected decorative elements created by Tiffany Glass.The church dome has served as an informal beacon for ships navigating New York Harbor. Within Sunset Park, Parents and grandparents tell neighborhood children that if they ever got lost, they should look for the spire of St. Michael's and walk toward it to find their way home.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/st-michael-s-roman-catholic-church atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 14

Art of Play in Brooklyn, New York

A tiny mechanical bird named Molly has become an unlikely celebrity in Brooklyn. She sings, she dances, and she recently found herself at the center of a very public feud.Molly lives at Art of Play, a unique curiosity shop on Atlantic Avenue filled with puzzles, games, playing cards, mechanical toys, and objects designed to make grown-ups feel like curious children again. The shop also hosts a 26-seat theater where magicians perform close-up magic.And the little bird is often part of the show. Created by the Seattle artist Bliss Kolb, Molly is a handcrafted automaton — a mechanical figurine designed to mimic the behavior of a living creature — modeled after an American goldfinch. Turn a crank, and she comes to life, singing and dancing for her audience. But in October 2026, Molly’s quiet existence took a spectacularly strange turn.After visiting Art of Play, the singer Kelly Clarkson complained to her 8 million followers on X that a store employee had treated her condescendingly when she expressed interest in purchasing the bird. The shop responded on its Instagram feed that Molly was a permanent fixture and wasn't for sale, although a similar piece could be purchased from the artist.A photograph then circulated on social media showing a $15,000 price tag for Molly, making things more complicated, and the whole disagreement exploded. The shop's owners reported receiving threats and harassment as things escalated.In a particularly theatrical response, Art of Play replaced the bird's price tag with one reading $15 million. Co-owner Adam Rubin told reporters that he would consider selling her for that amount.Molly had no comment.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/art-of-play-brooklyn atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 13

Thorla-McKee Well in Caldwell, Ohio

The United States is the world's largest producer and consumer of oil. Early Americans initially found petroleum to be a nuisance rather than a valuable resource. Before oil's prominence, salt was a highly prized commodity crucial for food preservation. Prospectors like Silas Thorla and Robert McKee in 1814 were digging for salt water in Ohio. They discovered a black, viscous substance, petroleum, floating on top of the brine. This oil was an impediment to their salt extraction efforts. While aware of its combustibility, they found it too smoky for lamp fuel. Instead, they bottled and sold it as "Seneca Oil," a supposed cure-all for various ailments. Their operations also involved the unintentional extraction of natural gas. This gas would occasionally cause explosions, sending brine water and oil high into the air. One of their wells is still present in Ohio, though petroleum was merely a byproduct of salt production. The Drake Well in Pennsylvania is recognized as America's first commercial oil well, drilled solely for crude oil.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/thorla-mckee-well atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 13

‘Birds of the World in the Skies Over Alcorcón’ in Alcorcón, Spain

Look up in Alcorcón and you might spot a flock of birds frozen forever in flight. They won’t migrate, sing, or flap their wings, but these colorful creatures have an important story to tell. Birds of the World in the Skies Over Alcorcón, created in 2009 by Peruvian artist Luis Arias Vera, fills Plaza de la Hispanidad with an exuberant celebration of flight and the natural world.Arias Vera saw birds as masters of something humans have spent centuries trying to imitate. Their effortless flight inspired our own attempts to conquer the skies, while their synchronized migrations transform the heavens into ever-changing aerial choreography. Their songs and spectacular plumage provide further reminders of nature’s creativity—and of how much of it can be overlooked amid Alcorcón’s apartment blocks and busy streets.The sculpture also reflects Arias Vera’s Peruvian heritage and his playful Pop Art sensibility, creating a curious meeting of Andean imagery and modern urban art. Its flock may be permanently grounded, but its message is anything but: we share this planet with other living creatures, and sometimes all it takes is a glance upward to remember it.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/birds-of-the-world-in-the-skies-over-alcorcon-statue atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 13

Steaming Tender Restaurant in Palmer, Massachusetts

Palmer, Massachusetts, a small city near Springfield, earned the nickname "Town of Seven Railroads." Its strategic location and favorable geography made it an ideal alternative for railroad companies seeking to avoid expensive track fees in Springfield. During the Industrial Revolution, Palmer rapidly transformed into a major regional transport hub. At its zenith, seven railroads, including five active ones, operated through the town. Palmer Union Station, built in 1884, was once the fifth-largest train station in the United States. After its closure in 1971 due to declining rail travel, the station remained abandoned for years. In 2004, Blake and Robin Lamothe reopened it as the Steaming Tender Restaurant after a lengthy restoration. The restaurant doubles as a museum, displaying numerous historical railroad artifacts. It is particularly popular with railfans who can watch active trains from the outdoor dining area. The staff's train engineer costumes further enhance the immersive historical experience. The Steaming Tender offers a memorable dining experience for both casual diners and train enthusiasts.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/steaming-tender-restaurant atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 13

Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel in Shimonoseki, Japan

Almost nobody realizes Japan's main islands can be crossed on foot, at the midpoint of 780 meters of tiled corridor a painted line marks the boundary between Yamaguchi and Fukuoka prefectures. The Shimonoseki entrance opens onto Mimosusogawa Park, overlooking the water where the Taira clan was annihilated at Dan-no-ura in 1185, which means the whole fifteen-minute walk passes under one of the most consequential battles in Japanese history.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/kanmon-pedestrian-tunnel atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 13

World’s Largest M in Platteville, Wisconsin

A colossal white "M," the world's largest, stands northeast of Platteville, a testament to regional mining heritage. This gigantic letter, 241 feet high and 214 feet wide, faces south at a 45-degree angle. Its origin traces back to 1924 when Platteville's engineering club sought to outdo Colorado School of Mines. A snowy prank in 1936 by engineering students Pat Medley and Alvin Knoerr revived the ambitious idea. Their temporary winter creation proved so popular that a permanent version was planned by the following year.Using 400 tons of limestone, students constructed the permanent "M" by 1937 with landowner and university backing. Ongoing maintenance with cement, lime, and whitewash ensures its enduring visibility. The landmark gained wider recognition through an appearance in Life magazine and occasional illumination. In 1987, MTV utilized the mound for a live event, having students form the music channel's logo. Platteville even leveraged the "M" to host Disney's Mickey's Hometown Parade in 1998. Visitors can still explore the "M" year-round, with an option to climb over 200 stairs for a closer view.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/worlds-largest-m atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 12

Alton Military Prison Site in Alton, Illinois

Alton, Illinois's State Penitentiary officially opened in 1833, making it the first state prison in Illinois. It was used to incarcerate convicted criminals from across the state and later served as a military prison. During the Civil War, the facility became the Alton Military Prison and was used to hold Confederate prisoners of war. More than 11,000 Confederate soldiers were held there before the prison closed.Prison reform efforts led by Dorothea Dix focused on improving oversight and addressing concerns about harsh conditions and the management of inmate labor. Her criticism of the prison prompted reforms within Illinois's correctional system and contributed to the construction of a more humane prison in Joliet, Illinois, which opened in 1858.Most of the prison was demolished in the early 1870s, with a pair of walls left standing as a memorial to Alton's contributions to the Civil War and the cause of social justice.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/alton-military-prison-site atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 12

Macedonian Tomb of Agios Athanasios in Agios Athanasios, Greece

Encased safely inside a concrete protective shell beneath a 12-metre-high burial mound (tumulus) is a late 4th-century BC Macedonian tomb holding a breathtaking secret: flawlessly preserved, 2,400-year-old fresco paintings. Though ancient grave robbers stripped the burial chamber of its gold long ago, they left the spectacular artwork untouched. The tomb's facade features a striking pediment guarded by golden-winged griffins. Below them, a brilliantly detailed symposium frieze captures a lively ancient banquet: six garlanded men recline on couches drinking wine, accompanied by female musicians, while a procession of hunters, horses, and heavily armed infantry approaches. Flanking the heavy stone doorway are two life-sized, melancholic young guards standing a permanent vigil.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/macedonian-tomb-of-agios-athanasios atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 12

Statue of Žorik in Tallinn, Estonia

Žorik was a well-known stray dog in Tallinn for his fifteen years, a rarity in a city where free-roaming dogs had become uncommon. Born in 2007, he spent most of his life on the streets of Kalamaja after losing his first owner as a puppy. He frequented the harbor and a shopping center parking lot, where locals ensured he was well-fed. Known as "the phantom dog" for his elusiveness from animal control, he was believed to be wary due to past mistreatment. His appearance earned him the Russian nickname Ugaljok, meaning "little piece of coal." Žorik became a symbol of social integration, appreciated by both Russian-speaking pensioners and Estonian hipsters. As he aged and became senile, neighbors found him sleeping in dangerous locations, leading to his relocation to a foster family in the countryside for safety. Kalamaja residents initiated a fundraising campaign for a statue to honor him. A bronze statue, funded by 61 donors and created by sculptor Kain Rezev, was erected in October 2020 at his favorite spot. The statue depicts him with a cat at his feet, symbolizing his peaceful coexistence with neighborhood animals. Žorik passed away in January 2022, with local fishermen holding a vigil and neighbors mourning the loss of the last of the harbor's free-roaming dogs.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/statue-of-zorik atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 12

Wood Street Steps in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Wood Street Steps are the last surviving examples of 10 or more stairways Philadelphia founder William Penn commissioned along the original Delaware Riverbank. Why are they important? Penn felt all citizens should have public access to the river wharves. Some early wealthy Quakers, who owned land there, disagreed.As part of a 1684 compromise, Penn made sure at least 10 stairways led to the port area near major cross streets ... from Vine Street to what was originally called Cedar Street ... and is now known as South Street.Unfortunately, this is the only set of those steps left.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-william-penn-wood-street-steps atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 9

High Shoals Falls in Hiawassee, Georgia

High Shoals Falls is a secluded waterfall. To get there you must access the trailhead on Indian Grave Gap Rd in Hiawassee, Ga. The drive up the mountain is exhilarating.Once you reach the trailhead, you begin descending the mountain. The trail leads you down into a small valley with beautiful scenery and several back country campsites.There are two waterfalls on the trail. The first one is Blue Hole Falls, the smaller of the two.The trail ends at High Shoals Falls where there is a boardwalk to view the falls from. The hike is a moderately challenging 2.4 miles round trip and worth every step.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/high-shoals-falls atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 9

Tiptree Jam Museum in Tiptree, England

If you have stayed in hotels in the UK, you likely got a mini jam from Wilkin & Sons at your breakfast buffet. In a converted barn on the grounds of the Wilkin & Sons preserve factory in an Essex village, the Tiptree Jam Museum tells the story of one of Britain's most beloved jam brands. The entrance is marked by a long, retro-looking pole which was in fact the Tiptree Jam Factory's chimney from 1984 to 2021.The museum collection began informally in the 1970s when a member of the founding Wilkin family started rescuing old equipment and documents that had been destined for the scrap heap. It was not opened to the public until the 1990s. From a Victorian farm into an internationally recognised name, all set against the backdrop of the fruit fields where the famous strawberries are still grown today, the real charm of the museum lies in its curiosities.Displays pair the expected old preserving machinery, packaging through the decades, and maps charting how the village and factory grew. Together with this is the delightfully unexpected, including a taxidermied four-legged chicken displayed alongside historic railway planning documents, photographs of the Queen, a diary entry of a airship that went down near the factory, a Prussian war helmet, and much more. One especially prized artefact connects the jam to a moment of political history: a letter from Prime Minister William Gladstone, whose 1883 speech is said to have inspired the founder to establish the original preserve-making company, which promptly sent him a jar from its very first batch.Tiptree Jam museum is worth a visit, and you will likely smell strawberry in the air while driving or walking past it, depending on the season. Next to the museum is a shop and a tea room where you will be able to round off your visit.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/tiptree-jam-museum atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 9

Gold Rush Cabin in Dawson City, Yukon

The exact construction date of Dawson City's Gold Rush Cabin is unknown, but it was present by 1900, possibly earlier. Its earliest documented link is to the Trading & Exploring Company during the Klondike Gold Rush's decline. The cabin miraculously survived Dawson's population collapse, unlike many other buildings that were dismantled or disappeared. It continued to function as a residence through quieter periods of the town's history. By the early 2000s, the cabin's condition had severely deteriorated, requiring a guy wire for support. In 2005, the structure was dismantled, with each log numbered for reconstruction and damaged sections replaced using traditional splicing. Disassembly revealed historical traces, including remnants of a sod roof and evidence of a chimney fire. Discarded newspapers, including parts of a poem, and denim were found packed under floorboards for insulation. Hand-painted wallpaper above a doorway was also preserved. After extensive repairs, the numbered logs were reassembled, and the cabin continues to stand, offering overnight stays to visitors.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/gold-rush-cabin atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 9

Atlas Obscura’s Guide to America’s Most Haunted Cemeteries

Many U.S. cemeteries are not peaceful resting places but instead are sites of supernatural activity. These locations offer a unique blend of history and the eerie, attracting those interested in folklore and the paranormal. Colonial Park Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia, is a former burial ground now a park where spirits are said to appear as mists or lights. The Harvard Shaker Lollipop Graveyard in Massachusetts is marked by whimsical cast-iron stakes and is rumored to be built atop a Native American burial site. Dean Hill Cemetery in Massachusetts is associated with Revolutionary War veterans and reported sightings of shadowy figures and a woman in white.Wildwood Cemetery in Pennsylvania is divided into "good" and "haunted" sides, with legends of a banshee and a fireman who feared being buried alive. Frenier Cemetery in Louisiana holds victims of a 1915 hurricane, including a rumored voodoo priestess whose presence is still felt. Georgiana Cemetery in Florida is believed to be haunted by a murder victim whose case was never solved. The Old Tonopah Cemetery in Nevada, located next to the Clown Motel, is where miners and plague victims are buried, with reports of spectral figures.Alice Flagg's Grave in South Carolina is a site where visitors leave tokens and perform rituals, with her ghost said to wander her resting place and family home. Greenwood Cemetery in Washington features the "thousand steps" staircase, rumored to reveal visions of the dead to those who climb it. The Dead Children's Playground in Alabama, adjacent to a large cemetery, has seen unexplained phenomena like moving swings and orb lights. The Unitarian Church Cemetery in Charleston, South Carolina, with its wild garden design, is reportedly frequented by a "Lady in White" and a heartbroken ghost searching for her husband. St. Omer Cemetery in Illinois contains the grave of Caroline Barnes, who was allegedly executed for witchcraft, with unusual occurrences surrounding her plot.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/america-haunted-cemeteries atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 9

Oculus Tower in Ferrara, Italy

At first glance, the Oculus Tower looks more like a futuristic arena than part of an old distillery. Rising from the remains of the former Eridania industrial complex in Ferrara, this seven-story circular concrete structure was once the heart of a large alcohol-production plant.The tower's most striking feature is its enormous open center. The seven levels form a series of galleries around the void, which once housed distillation equipment. Above it, a large glass skylight—or oculus—flooded the interior with natural light. Rows of windows punctuate the reinforced-concrete frame, giving the building an unexpected resemblance to a modern Colosseum.The distillery processed beet molasses into raw spirits, refined spirits, and denatured alcohol used in products ranging from liqueurs to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. After the industrial complex closed in the 2000s, much of the site was gradually demolished, leaving the circular tower as its most recognizable survivor.Today, the Oculus Tower stands as an unusual piece of Italian industrial archaeology: monumental, geometric, and strangely theatrical, even without the machinery that once filled its vast interior.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/oculus-tower atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 8

The Reading Room in Chattanooga, Tennessee

The Reading Room, a bar on Chattanooga's east side, uniquely combines the atmosphere of a cozy bar with a used bookstore. Owner Linden Marno-Ferree, with prior experience as a bookseller and bartender, envisioned a space merging the sociability of a bar with the quiet enjoyment of a bookstore. The establishment sources its books through a partnership with the Chattanooga Public Library Foundation, with a portion of sales benefiting the foundation. All books are affordably priced at $8 or less.The Reading Room's interior evokes a reader's living room, featuring floor-to-ceiling shelves, exposed brick, eclectic furniture, and vintage decor. Patrons can enjoy a variety of beverages, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as coffee and tea. A modest food menu is also available, allowing guests to dine without interruption from their reading.Beyond books and drinks, The Reading Room functions as a community hub hosting diverse events. Its calendar includes author readings, creative workshops, trivia nights, comedy shows, and drag events. The establishment aims to be a welcoming space for "creatives, free-thinkers, weirdos and regular nice people." This unique venue encourages patrons to linger late into the night, fostering a lively yet contemplative environment.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-reading-room atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 8

It All Comes Together in Chattanooga

Chattanooga, a city surrounded by natural beauty and known for its bluegrass music festivals, has always been a hub for people and commerce. The Tennessee River and its surrounding mountains have drawn diverse groups to the region for centuries. Today, various destinations in Chattanooga highlight this spirit of convergence and communal gathering. The historic Chattanooga Choo Choo, once a bustling train terminal, is now a vibrant center for hotels, dining, and entertainment. The New Mountain Opry continues a long tradition of live bluegrass music on Signal Mountain. The majestic Tennessee River Gorge, an ancient travel corridor, is now protected and offers outdoor recreation and conservation initiatives. Ross's Landing, with its rich Cherokee history and role in the Trail of Tears, has been transformed into a lively riverfront park hosting public events and concerts. The Read House Hotel, Chattanooga's oldest, offers classic hospitality and tales of its famous haunted room. The Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Distillery played a role in changing state law to allow distilling, and now offers tours and tastings. The Bluff View Art District provides a charming interconnected experience of art, dining, and scenic river views. Finally, Chickamauga Battlefield, a site of a major Civil War battle, also preserves local legends and hosts an annual festival celebrating a mysterious apparition.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/it-all-comes-together-in-chattanooga atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 8

Eastern California Museum in Independence, California

George Washington Hancock, residing in early twentieth-century Independence, California, faced a dental dilemma with few teeth and local coyotes plentiful. Lacking funds for professional dentures, Hancock ingeniously crafted his own. He used melted toothbrush handles and teeth from coyotes to fashion a unique set of prosthetics. These were worn by Hancock for many years, though their reception by fellow residents is unknown. In 1946, dentist Dr. Douglas Dyer learned of Hancock and his remarkable dentures. Dr. Dyer offered Hancock a professional set in exchange for the coyote teeth prosthetics. After Dr. Dyer's passing, his widow Florence donated these to the Eastern California Museum. The museum, located in Independence, displays a variety of local historical artifacts. Among its exhibits are Paiute and Timbisha basketry, items from the Manzanar concentration camp, and the famous coyote teeth dentures.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/eastern-california-museum atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 8

Jason Miller Statue in Scranton, Pennsylvania

In 2009 Jason Miller, who played Father Karras in The Exorcist and won a Pulitzer Prize for writing That Championship Season, was immortalized forever with his bronze statue in Scranton Courthouse Square.Miller was also in such notable films as Rudy, Toy Soldiers, Light of Day, and The Best Little Girl In The World. He will always be remembered as the tormented young priest in The Exorcist film starring Linda Blair.Miller who lived in Scranton, suffered and died from a heart attack at a local nearby restaurant. Fellow actor and good friend, Paul Sorvino, spent years making the bust of Miller, and was there for its unveiling.Miller was never buried and Sorvino had some of his ashes mixed in the bronze bust. Local legend and lure has it that weird and eery occurrences happen by the statue, and it is included on many local ghost tours.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/jason-miller-statue atlasobscura.com

RSS Hunter • Oct 8