Historic landmarks around the globe provide more than breathtaking sights; they give us an incredible window into humanity’s past and showcase its many legacies that form its history.
Discovering and remembering are truly incredible experiences. George Washington famously took his oath of office at Mount Vernon; then there’s the home of the first Black-owned plantation! These places of learning and memory are truly spectacular.
1. Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, was an ancient Mayan city at its peak and now an archaeological site on Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Comprised of temples, palaces, platforms, columns and observatories; El Castillo or “the Pyramid of Kukulcan,” is among its most striking landmarks – known for being astronomically aligned – as is much else at Chichen Itza; legend holds that snake god Kukulcan would descend its steps twice annually during spring and fall equinoxes to do his business there; other notable sights include Temple Warriors Great Ball Court as well as sacrificial victims left to rot before being left for dead to decay before eventually leaving their bodies behind at Chichen Itza!
The remains of this complex are divided into three architectural sets known as North Group, Central Group and Osario, each separated by low walls. El Castillo and Temple of Kukulcan can be found within this group along with temples, palaces, ball courts and large observatories; also present are important buildings such as Templo de las Mujeres – which features relief carvings of female bodies – and Templo de Los Guerreros which commemorated military victories.
While the North Group shows Puuc influence, its South counterpart combines Maya and Toltec influences. Casa de los Metates (Temple of Grinding Stones), built around 800 AD, features an early structure at Chichen Itza with its room featuring reliefs of stag head reliefs; feathered serpents grace its stairs; its ossuary is located within an underground cave where numerous human bones have been unearthed for burial purposes; an ossuary can even be found nearby!
Visit Machu Picchu early in the day when it is cooler to avoid crowds of tourists and reduce congestion. A good way to do this is via train or hiking the Inca Trail; nonetheless, its trek is well worth your while as Machu Picchu offers incredible sights and has an incredible story behind its discovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911; later it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island may be most famously recognized for its role as a maximum-security prison, but this historic island holds many other treasures to explore. From military history and federal penitentiary years to American Indian Occupation, this National Historic Landmark gives visitors a window into America’s past in a single visit.
Alcatraz Island’s turbulent history dates back to its use during the American Civil War as a fortress and prison. From 1864 on, prisoners there included Confederate sympathizers, spies and American Indians fighting for their land. Over time it became one of the nation’s first and most notorious maximum-security prisons, housing criminals such as Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly as well as prisoners working to build its famous 600-cell cellhouse and other concrete structures, making Alcatraz one of the world’s impregnable prisons at that time.
But Alcatraz did not just vanish with its closure in 1963; rather it has since become a symbol for American Indian rights. In 1969, Native Americans took control of Alcatraz Island and declared it as their land; their occupation of Alcatraz for 29 days marked an important turning point in American Indian activism.
The iconic but sinister site is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and open for tours by guided guides. Visitors can explore its iconic cellhouse and prison buildings while experiencing beautiful views of San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge aboard ferry ride to and from island.
At 1.5 miles off of San Francisco’s coast lies this popular national park – one of the United States’s most-visited, with over 1.4 million annual visitors – one of the highest visited in America. Home to a number of historic sites as well as stunning natural beauty – including scenic hiking trails that boast breathtaking views of San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge; visitors can also learn more about Ohlone people who stewarded coastal hills and scrubland for thousands of years prior to European arrivals.
3. Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park stands out among natural landscapes as an exquisite masterpiece, boasting waterfalls, ancient sequoia trees and towering rock formations that together form one of the world’s most breathtaking natural scenes. Yet this park holds more than natural wonders to offer: its rich historic landmarks offer us glimpses into human endeavor, spiritual connection and the fight to preserve America’s natural heritage.
Yosemite Park was first settled by Ahwahnechee tribe people of Sierra Nevada Mountains before California gold rush drew non-Indian miners in. President Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant in 1864 in order to protect this area from development, and John Muir played a pivotal role in ensuring its perpetuity.
Yosemite National Park is famous for its giant sequoias, but also boasts incredible waterfalls such as Yosemite Falls and Tunnel View, with iconic views of Bridalveil Fall towering overhead. El Capitan is another well-known landmark while Yosemite Valley contains steep granite walls and cliffs boasting some of the country’s most magnificent waterfalls.
Historic structures located within Yosemite National Park include two National Historic Landmark hotels – Ahwahnee Hotel and Wawona Hotel – both designed in Victorian architecture. There is also a small historic cemetery within its boundaries as well as Thomas Hill’s former studio that now functions as Yosemite History Center at Wawona.
Mariposa, located outside of the park, provides an opportunity to gain insight into early settlement in the region. Nearby Merced and Mariposa Groves feature some of the oldest and largest trees ever seen on Earth – some estimated at being over 3,000 years old!
Attractions that have historical significance also include scenic roads. Tioga Pass was constructed as a wagon road in 1880 for travel across Sierra Nevada mountains; later transferred to National Park Service and given several National Register of Historic Places listings such as Camp 4 which is associated with pioneer mountain climbing development from 1950s through the 1960s.
4. Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site honors and preserves his life and legacy as an abolitionist, civil rights activist, author, and statesman. Born into slavery in 1818 and freed as an adult through emancipation, Douglass spent his life fighting for equality and justice for all people; today his legacy continues to influence people worldwide – visitors will get an up close look into his struggles at Cedar Hill!
On this 8.5-acre estate stands the handsome mansion Douglass constructed with Anna Murray as his first wife, providing guests a glimpse into his life as one of America’s most celebrated historical figures. Additionally, its reconstructed Growlery provides visitors with an insight into his personal reading, writing and meditation practices at Growlery; museum quality collections provide additional details into both political career as well as intimate family life of Douglass.
Douglass traveled the country throughout his lifetime speaking on behalf of civil and human rights. He tirelessly campaigned for women, children, and black rights; promoting reconciliation; his words still echo today – earning him one of the highest ranks as an abolitionist and civil rights leader in American history.
In 1877, a devastating fire devastated his Rochester, New York home, leaving many of his most prized possessions behind. This event led him to move to Washington DC and live at Cedar Hill until 1895 when he died at Cedar Hill and was interred at Mt Hope Cemetery nearby; Helen Pitts Douglass established an historical and memorial association which continues to maintain Cedar Hill today.
The National Park Service administers the historic landmark program, honoring structures, districts, and resources based on criteria such as their historical significance. The District of Columbia currently boasts 78 national landmarks – from grand government buildings and presidential homes to military facilities and sites that reflect its role as capital; including sites highlighting support for disabled individuals during Civil Rights movements or pioneering urban infrastructure developments.