25 Historic Places In The US At Risk of Disappearing

America’s history lives in its landmarks, yet many iconic sites face threats from development and time. These 25 historic places are at risk of disappearing forever. Exploring them now connects us to our past before it’s lost. Dive in and learn why preserving history matters more than ever, because once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.

Angel Island Immigration Station, California

Once dubbed the “Ellis Island of the West,” Angel Island processed thousands of Asian immigrants under harsh conditions. Its wooden barracks and carvings face decay from sea air, weather, and limited funding. Preserving the site ensures future generations confront a sobering chapter of immigration history.

Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah

Known for its iconic sandstone buttes, Monument Valley faces threats from increasing tourism and climate shifts. The delicate rock formations erode faster due to weathering and human activity. Protecting this natural and cultural symbol is essential to preserving Navajo heritage and the American West’s iconic terrain.

Union Terminal, Ohio

An Art Deco marvel in Cincinnati, Union Terminal opened in 1933 as a central train hub. While now a museum, it has battled structural decay and funding gaps. Without long-term support, this National Historic Landmark risks falling into disrepair, taking with it a grand chapter of American rail travel.

Castillo De San Marcos, Florida

Castillo de San Marcos has endured centuries of storms and rising sea levels. Saltwater intrusion threatens its coquina walls. Protecting this fort is vital to preserving early colonial military history and Florida’s cultural roots. It is one of the oldest masonry forts in the continental US. 

The Cahokia Mounds, Illinois

Once a thriving pre-Columbian city, Cahokia is the largest archaeological site north of Mexico. Farming and erosion, alongside urban sprawl, endanger its ancient earthworks. Preserving Cahokia protects a key chapter in Native American history and early urban development in North America.

Fort Sumter, South Carolina

Fort Sumter, famous for being the scene of the opening battle, faces coastal erosion and storm damage. Preservation is complicated by its location in Charleston Harbor. Saving the fort safeguards a tangible connection to America’s defining conflict and military history.

The Tenement Museum, New York

This museum tells the stories of immigrants from New York’s Lower East Side. Urban development pressures and aging infrastructure pose a threat to the building’s integrity. Protecting it safeguards a vivid history of American immigration and the struggles of early urban communities.

Chaco Canyon, New Mexico

Chaco Canyon contains ancient Puebloan ruins critical to understanding Southwestern indigenous cultures. Climate change and unauthorized digs have been causing damage. Preservation efforts are vital to protect this UNESCO World Heritage Site and maintain its archaeological and spiritual significance.

Pueblo Bonito, New Mexico

The largest house in Chaco Canyon, Pueblo Bonito,  suffers from natural weathering and visitor impact. This ruin offers insight into ancestral Pueblo life. Without ongoing preservation, key cultural and historical information could be lost forever.

Fort Jefferson, Florida

Located in the Dry Tortugas, Fort Jefferson is vulnerable to hurricanes and saltwater corrosion. It’s one of the largest coastal forts in the US and has a rich military history. Keeping it intact is essential to maintaining the remote historical landmark.

Ellis Island Immigration Station, New York/New Jersey

Ellis Island was the entry point for many immigrants. Aging buildings and environmental wear threaten its preservation. Maintaining the site honors the immigrant experience so foundational to America’s diverse cultural identity and history.

Vieux Carre, French Quarter, Louisiana

Vieux Carre is known for its one-of-a-kind architecture and vibrant culture. Flooding, hurricanes, and development endanger its historic buildings. Protecting this district supports New Orleans’s rich colonial and Creole heritage.

Underground Railroad National Historical Park, Maryland

This park commemorates the heroic efforts of Harriet Tubman on the Underground Railroad. Urban development and environmental factors pose a threat to the land. Keeping it open is important for honoring African American history and the fight for freedom.

Alamo, Texas

The Alamo symbolizes Texas’s independence, but faces pressure from urban growth and tourism. Structural stress poses a risk of damaging this iconic mission. Protecting it gives us a pivotal site of American and Texan history.

USS Arizona Memorial, Hawaii

Built over the sunken battleship, the USS Arizona Memorial honors Pearl Harbor victims. Saltwater corrosion and weather damage threaten its structure. Maintaining this site ensures that we remember a pivotal moment in US history during World War II.

Bodie State Historical Park, California

Bodie is a well-preserved ghost town showing California’s gold rush past. Exposure to weather and vandalism is threatening its wooden buildings. Protecting Bodie safeguards a rare example of 19th-century frontier life.

Jamestown Settlement, Virginia

Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America, faces flooding and erosion risks. Protecting its archaeological remains is vital to helping people understand early colonial history.

Manzanar National Historic Site, California

Manzanar was one of ten WWII Japanese American internment camps. Weathering and vandalism threaten what’s left of this camp. This site should be preserved to help us remember this difficult chapter in American civil liberties.

Presidio Of San Francisco, California

Once a military post, the Presidio faces threats from urban development and environmental wear. Its natural beauty and military history in the San Francisco Bay Area are fundamental to national pride.

Fort Ross, California

Established by Russian settlers, Fort Ross is a unique example of early European colonization on the West Coast. Weathering and lack of funds put its structures at risk. Preserving this spot helps us understand diverse American histories.

Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

Taos Pueblo is a living Native American community with ancient adobe buildings. Environmental wear and tourism pressures threaten its delicate structures. Protecting it helps maintain both our cultural heritage and centuries of indigenous tradition.

Point Reyes Lighthouse, California

Perched on rugged cliffs, the Point Reyes Lighthouse faces severe coastal erosion and storms. This historic navigational aid is pivotal for maritime safety and holds deep historical significance.

Drayton Hall Plantation, South Carolina

Drayton Hall is a historic plantation in the United States. Flooding and storm damage threaten its Georgian architecture. Protecting it ensures the survival of this important example of colonial-era history.

Lorraine Motel, Tennessee

The scene of Martin Luther King Jr.’s martyrdom, the Lorraine Motel, is now the location of the National Civil Rights Museum. Urban development pressures endanger the landmark, which remains a vital landmark of the civil rights movement.

Fort Mifflin, Pennsylvania

Fort Mifflin was a key stronghold during the Revolutionary War, withstanding fierce bombardment to help delay the British advance. Time and weather took their toll, but preserving this site means safeguarding a rare, still-standing witness to early American military resilience.