America’s Lost Funeral Trains | The Forgotten Tradition

The LaSalle Street Tunnel in Chicago, completed in 1871, was one of the city's earliest subterranean infrastructure projects, designed to alleviate congestion and provide a crucial crossing under the Chicago River. The tunnel, constructed by the private LaSalle Street Tunnel Company, was initially intended for pedestrian and carriage use, facilitating easier movement between the north and south sides of the city. However, the tunnel faced numerous challenges, including frequent flooding and structural issues exacerbated by the city's growing industrial demands. By the early 20th century, with the advent of more advanced transportation options, the tunnel became obsolete and was eventually closed in 1939. Its legacy remains a fascinating glimpse into the early engineering feats that shaped Chicago's urban landscape.

27 Heinä 202414min

The USS *Inaugural* (AM-242) was an Admirable-class minesweeper of the United States Navy, launched in 1944 during World War II. Designed for detecting and removing naval mines, the ship played a crucial role in ensuring safe passage for Allied naval forces. It served primarily in the Pacific Theater, participating in the clearing of mines from various harbors and sea lanes, which was vital for the U.S. Navy's operations. After the war, the *Inaugural* continued to serve in various capacities, including as a training vessel, until it was decommissioned in 1947. The ship was later turned into a museum ship in St. Louis, Missouri. However, in 1993, during the Great Flood, the *Inaugural* broke loose from its moorings, capsized, and partially sank, resulting in it becoming a permanent fixture at the bottom of the Mississippi River near its former display location.

24 Heinä 202418min

The Riviera Casino, opened in 1955 on the Las Vegas Strip, was one of the city's first high-rise resorts and a symbol of mid-century glamour and sophistication. Initially designed to attract high rollers and celebrities, the Riviera hosted iconic performers such as Liberace, Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin. Despite its early success, the casino struggled with financial instability, changing ownership multiple times over the decades. The rise of newer, more extravagant mega-resorts in the 1990s and 2000s further diminished its appeal. Unable to compete in the evolving market, the Riviera eventually closed in 2015 and was demolished in 2016, marking the end of an era for one of Las Vegas's legendary landmarks.

20 Heinä 202413min

Rhyolite, a boomtown in Nevada, sprang to life in 1905 following the discovery of gold in the region by prospector Shorty Harris and his partner E.L. Cross. The town rapidly grew, boasting a population of up to 10,000 people at its peak, complete with infrastructure such as banks, a school, and even a stock exchange. However, the prosperity was short-lived; by 1911, the gold mines began to deplete, leading to a swift economic decline. The financial Panic of 1907 also played a role in undermining investor confidence and funding. By 1916, the town was largely abandoned, leaving behind ruins that serve as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of such mining boomtowns.

17 Heinä 202413min

The Rookery, an iconic building in Chicago's financial district, was completed in 1888 and designed by the architectural firm of Burnham and Root. Notable for its combination of Moorish, Romanesque, and Venetian architectural styles, the building's most famous feature is its light-filled central atrium, redesigned in 1905 by Frank Lloyd Wright. Beneath this historic landmark lies a little-known underground vault, a remnant from Chicago's early days. Originally intended for utilities and as a foundation to support the structure above, this vault adds a layer of mystery and historical intrigue to the Rookery, symbolizing the city's innovative spirit and complex architectural legacy.

13 Heinä 202412min

The 1964 New York World's Fair featured an innovative monorail system, symbolizing futuristic urban transportation. Manufactured by American Machine and Foundry, the monorail offered visitors a glimpse into the potential of mass transit. The sleek, elevated trains ran on a one-mile loop around the fairgrounds in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, showcasing the fair's theme of "Peace Through Understanding." Despite initial excitement, the monorail faced technical issues and low ridership, overshadowed by other attractions like the Unisphere and the "It's a Small World" exhibit. After the fair ended in 1965, the monorail was dismantled and largely forgotten, leaving behind a legacy of what could have been a transformative mode of urban transit.

10 Heinä 20248min

Discovering American Heritage Through Tales of Urban Decay.

6 Heinä 202410min

Pawtucket Station, located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is a historic train station with a rich history dating back to its construction in 1916 by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. Designed in the Beaux-Arts style, it served as a bustling hub for passengers and freight, reflecting the city's industrial prominence in the early 20th century. The station witnessed a decline in usage post-World War II, exacerbated by the rise of automobile travel and the eventual collapse of the New Haven Railroad. By the early 1970s, regular passenger services ceased, leading to its abandonment. Despite various proposals for redevelopment and preservation, the station remains a poignant symbol of Pawtucket's past, standing as a testament to the transformative shifts in transportation and industry in the region.

3 Heinä 202410min