Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Travilah Oak Tree

Discover Travilah Oak Tree in Potomac, Maryland: A massive white oak tree provides a beautiful canopy near a suburban shopping center and stood before the signing of the Constitution.

Taughannock Giant

Discover Taughannock Giant in Trumansburg, New York: A reproduction of a giant humanoid "fossil," a hoax buried locally for construction crews to find and gain national attention.

Ned Kelly Animatronic Museum

Discover Ned Kelly Animatronic Museum in Glenrowan, Australia: A totally unique, animatronic depiction of the Australian gunslinger's last stand.

Isla de San Simón

Discover Isla de San Simón in Pontevedra, Spain: This small, lush island has a long and bloody history.

Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory

Discover Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory in Union, West Virginia: This former fire tower is now a rustic observatory that offers amazing views of eagles, hawks, and the Appalachian Mountains.

Trap History Museum

Discover Trap History Museum in Galloway, Ohio: If you want to build a better mousetrap, first consult this small museum's massive collection of trapping tools.

Chanticleer Garden

Discover Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, Pennsylvania: A beloved horticultural oasis on the grounds of a wealthy family's former estate.

ASM International Materials Park

Discover ASM International Materials Park in Novelty, Ohio: Known as "The Dome" this is the world's largest open air geodesic dome.

Gran Stupa Bön Para la Paz Mundial

Discover Gran Stupa Bön Para la Paz Mundial in Valle de Bravo, Mexico: One of the oldest and largest Buddhist structures in the Americas, located in a peaceful forest outside Mexico City.

Martindale Hall

Discover Martindale Hall in Mintaro, Australia: An opulent mansion that acted as the set for Appleyard Girls School in the 1975 classic film 'Picnic at Hanging Rock.'.

Roddy Road Covered Bridge

Discover Roddy Road Covered Bridge in Thurmont, Maryland: The smallest covered bridge in Maryland.

Loshitsa Manor and Park

Discover Loshitsa Manor and Park in Minsk, Belarus: A window into the luxurious lives led by the landed gentry of Minsk before the 1917 Revolution.

‘The Lost XVII’

Discover 'The Lost XVII' in Kilmacolm, Scotland: A missing Roman legion was recreated in sculpture along a Scottish cycling route.

Alpaca Treehouse

Discover Alpaca Treehouse in Atlanta, Georgia: This wondrous hideaway is suspended in a bamboo forest above a sanctuary for rescued llamas and alpacas.

Infield at the Zoo

Discover Infield at the Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska: A miniature baseball stadium honoring Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium, home of the College World Series from 1950-2010.

Alligator Gorge

Discover Alligator Gorge in Wilmington, Australia: The evolution of a simple creek cutting its way through an ochre mountain side.

The Old Umbrella Shop

Discover The Old Umbrella Shop in Launceston, Australia: A historical umbrella shop, whose owner started a craze for locally-made souvenirs.

Okemo Fire Tower

Discover Okemo Fire Tower in Ludlow, Vermont: A 60-foot-tall tower provides unparalleled views of the southern Green Mountains.

International Lineman Museum

Discover International Lineman Museum in Shelby, North Carolina: This museum is dedicated to the workers that help keep the power on.

Enchanted Hart Haus

Discover Enchanted Hart Haus in Denver, Colorado: A home covered with elaborate mosaic and other pieces of art.

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i
To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius. 261 ii
To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design. 480 iii
To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared. 514 iv
To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history. 642 ix
To be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. 137 v
To be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change. 172 vi
To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria). 256 vii
To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. 151 viii
To be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features. 98 x
To contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation. 168

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