Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Friends’ Goodwill Memorial

Discover The Friends' Goodwill Memorial in Larne, Northern Ireland: Honoring one of the first boats to leave Ulster destined for America.

Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle

Discover Mary Lou's Milk Bottle in Spokane, Washington: A giant milk bottle from the 1930s beckons drivers to this diner.

Antiquariat Alt-Hoheneck

Discover Antiquariat Alt-Hoheneck in Ludwigsburg, Germany: This outdoor library provides around-the-clock access to around 7,000 books.

Burma Bazaar

Discover Burma Bazaar in Chennai, India: A gray market run by Burmese Indians offers a portal to a forgotten period in history.

‘Viisas Hiiri’ (‘Wise Mice’)

Discover ‘Viisas Hiiri’ (‘Wise Mice’) in Helsinki, Finland: The tiny, studious rodents greet visitors to the National Archives of Finland.

Last Chance Saloon

Discover Last Chance Saloon in Wayne, Alberta: This ghost-town bar has bullet holes and plenty of stories lurking within its walls.

World’s Largest Prairie Chicken

Discover World’s Largest Prairie Chicken in Rothsay, Minnesota: The statue honors the booming birds Rothsay, Minnesota, is famous for.

McHenry Museum

Discover McHenry Museum in Modesto, California: Inside this library turned museum, the history of Modesto and Stanislaus County is on full display.

‘Los Tios’

Discover 'Los Tios' in La Palma, Spain: The four-story mural is the centerpiece of a lavish hotel's lush atrium.

Bilbo Cemetery

Discover Bilbo Cemetery in Lake Charles, Louisiana: This creepy, yet oddly beautiful cemetery is home to one of the founding fathers of Lake Charles.

Cypress Pond

Discover Cypress Pond in Lake Charles, Louisiana: This small enclosure is the perfect place to observe a few prehistoric descendants.

Junk Metal T-Rex

Discover Junk Metal T-Rex in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Just outside this metal recycling center stands a prehistoric creature composed of scraps.

Turtle Mound

Discover Turtle Mound in New Smyrna Beach, Florida: Mariners once used this prehistoric landfill as a navigational landmark.

Cilantro Mexican Grill

Discover Cilantro Mexican Grill in Los Angeles, California: A classically trained chef makes beloved burritos inside a gas station.

Lakeside Cemetery

Discover Lakeside Cemetery in Colon, Michigan: A cemetery where many of those buried had a flair for the dramatics.

Pearl S. Buck Birthplace

Discover Pearl S. Buck Birthplace in Hillsboro, West Virginia: The first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in literature came from the foothills of Appalachia.

Smith Square World War II Ghost Sign

Discover Smith Square World War II Ghost Sign in London, England: A faded reminder of what was once a common sight in London during the Blitz.

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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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