Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Folsom Powerhouse

Discover The Folsom Powerhouse in Folsom, California: This 19th century hydroelectric powerhouse was the first of its kind.

Ouray Alchemist

Discover Ouray Alchemist in Ouray, Colorado: A recreation of an Old West apothecary full of curios.

The Persian Crosses

This ancient necropolis houses the immense rock-cut tombs of four Persian kings.

Aunt Claudia’s Dolls

Discover Aunt Claudia's Dolls, a Museum in Juneau, Alaska: One toy collector's legacy of hundreds of unique items includes the most diverse display of northern indigenous dolls.

Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve

Discover Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve in Carpinteria, California: Happy harbor seals frolic and snooze on this warm, sandy stretch of coast.

Poe’s Tavern

Discover Poe's Tavern in Sullivan's Island, South Carolina: A quirky Poe-themed joint on an island keen to celebrate its overlooked connection to the famous writer.

Santa Monica’s Origami Intersections

Discover Origami Intersections in Santa Monica, California: Giant origami crease patterns engraved in Santa Monica intersections may even be visible from space.

Tulsa’s Art Deco Church

Discover Boston Avenue Methodist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma: One of the best examples of Art Deco architecture in the United States.

The Ghost Forest of Copalis

Discover Ghost Forest of Copalis in Copalis Crossing, Washington: This grove of ghostly cedars was killed in 1700 by an enormous tsunami that was felt from the U.S. to Japan.

Coffin It Up

Discover Coffin It Up in Pahrump, Nevada: Bringing back the art of handmade custom coffins.

Ruins of Schoolmaster Hill

Discover Ruins of Schoolmaster Hill in Boston, Massachusetts: Ralph Waldo Emerson spent two years living here decades before it became a Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park.

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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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