10 Must-See Landmarks in the United States and Their Remarkable Histories

Site Location: Southwest Colorado

Mesa Verde is one of the most dense and well-preserved cliff dwellings in the US. Right from 600 AD till 1300 AD, Puebloan people used to have homes here. However, from 1300 AD, they disappeared and to this day, their departure remains a mystery in archaeological circles. 

The name Mesa Verde means “green table” in Spanish owing to the flat tops of the mountains, which are covered with trees. This makes for a breathtaking sight when visiting. In 1978, this place was given the status of a UNESCO World Heritage site thereby preserving the ancient cultural civilization of Puebloan people forever. 

Also Read: 15 Incredible National Parks to Visit

Site Location: San Francisco Bay, California

Before it was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986, Alcatraz Island served multiple purposes as a federal prison, military fort, civil protest occupation site, and more. In the mid-nineteenth century, the island was built as a military fort and it was converted to a prison from 1934 to 1963. During this time, it held some of the most famous criminals in history, such as Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly. 

What adds even more to this intriguing history is that the prisoners tried to escape several times but to no avail which gave this place the reputation of an inescapable prison. The civil occupation was a short-lived chapter from 1969 to 1971. Alcatraz is a must-see landmark, drawing over 1.4 million visitors per year. 

Site Location: Oregon

Crater Lake National Park was established and preserved in 1902 as the sixth national park in the US. It is home to a wide variety of animal and plant species, some of which are exclusive to this area only. But the central piece of beauty that marks this site is Crater Lake, which is known to be one of the clearest water bodies in the world. At almost 1950 feet deep, it is also the deepest lake to exist in the US. 

When Mount Mazama erupted and collapsed about 7700 years ago, Crater Lake was formed as the caldera left by this collapse gradually filled in with water and melted snow. There is no stream coming in or going out of this lake. The water in it is pure precipitation which is the reason for its striking clarity. All the blue is made even more prominent by the surrounding volcanic cliffs. Also, the cinder cone coming out from the lake, known as the Wizard Island, makes for a noteworthy feature. Visitors can hike, bike, fish, ski, and get into more outdoorsy activities here. 

Site Location: Newport, Rhode Island

The Rose Cliff Mansion is an architectural symbol of the Gilded Age in the US. Made between 1898 and 1902, this grand structure shows how the wealthy and elite lived in that era. It was given shape by famous architect Stanford White, for the heiress Theresa Oelrichs. This mansion, with its gilded ceilings, huge ballrooms, fine fabrics, and luxurious furniture went on to host several grand parties and lavish events, specifically for the Oelrichs family. 

Mr. and Mrs. J. Edgar Monroe were the last private owners of the property and they donated it to the Preservation Society of Newport County in 1971. Rose Cliff has been used as a filming set for The Great Gatsby and more. If you want to get a sneak peek into the magnificent lives of the ultra-wealthy of the 19th century, you can take a tour from May to October. 

Also Read: 24 Hours in Newport, Rhode Island

Site Location: New York

If you are an engineering buff, add this place to your must-see list. The Brooklyn Bridge was a shining symbol of engineering and technological advancement when it was built in 1883. This was the first steel-wire suspension bridge to be made successfully. Some highly innovative techniques were used to make this bridge, such as pneumatic caissons with the foundation kept deep underwater. 

Many lives were lost during this massive engineering build. But after it was finished, the bridge connected Manhattan and Brooklyn which led to an increase in the flow of transport and commerce. The Brooklyn Bridge today is a ladder for social mobility and economic exchange. It has been featured in hundreds, if not thousands of movies, making it a popular tourist attraction.

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Site Location: San Francisco, California

The Golden Gate Bridge, which is about 1.7 miles long, was the world’s longest suspension bridge for 25 years after it was built in 1937. Irving Morrow was the architect in charge of the design, adding iconic details such as the 746-foot-high orange towers. The now famous international orange color of the Golden Gate Bridge was chosen to make it more visible in the foggy and windy area where it was being built. 

This impressive engineering marvel has stood strong against powerful earthquakes, exposure to salt air, and other harsh weather conditions. Built during the Great Depression, the Golden Gate Bridge became more than just a transport link. It was a symbol of American resilience, economic growth, and advancement. 

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Site Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Independence Hall is the site where several historic meetings and conferences took place. It is the place where the American Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, making the US a free nation. This is where the US Constitution was formed and signed in 1787. These documents and the furniture used by the founding fathers of America are preserved at Independence Hall. 

The Hall is situated in a historic district where you can also visit the Liberty Bell and Benjamin Franklin Museum. While Independence Hall might have seen the freedom of the US, today it inspires people from all around the world to fight for justice, liberty, democracy, and equality. 

Site Location: Washington D.C

The Air and Space Museum in DC has one of the largest collections of aircraft models and space objects in the world, nearing 68,000 items. It starts with air balloons, passing The Wright Brothers 1903 flyer and Apollo 11, and ending with modern supersonic jets. You can not only see these wonders of engineering but also immerse yourself in simulations, lectures, and exhibits that are offered there. 

The Museum doesn’t just show the history of airplanes and flight but also displays the future of it all. You can observe the advancements in alternative fuels, drone tech, space tourism, and more. It has two different locations. It was originally founded in 1946 but has undergone several expansions and renovations since then. 

Also Read: 5 Best Museums in Washington D.C. And Why You Should Visit

Site Location: St. Louis, Missouri

The Gateway Arch was built in the 1960s based on a design that was chosen in a competition in 1948. It is located in the Gateway Arch National Park which offers museum exhibits on the history of St. Louis. You can also see the surroundings of St. Louis and the Mississippi River by taking a tram ride to the top of the Arch. The Arch is 630 feet tall. 

This arch continues to be a historic landmark and a symbol of unity that attracts a huge number of visitors every year.

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Site Location: Black Hills, South Dakota

The creation of this site saw much controversy and tension. The land for this memorial was originally inhabited by a Native American tribe which was displaced when this monument was built. The sculptor Gutzon Borglum envisioned this place and it took 15 years of work, from 1927-1941, for this site to be completed. 

Mount Rushmore has the faces of four legendary US presidents – George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln – carved in granite. As a visitor, you can attend museum exhibits, see the monument, get children into the junior rangers program, and also hike on the surrounding Black Hills. Mount Rushmore itself is truly a site to behold. 

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