Ghost towns and Hidden Forgotten Places towns are haunting reminders of the past, kept in the moment and left to decay. These once-thriving towns now sit abandoned, buildings crumbling and streets choked by nature. Economic downturns and natural disasters are the causes for abandonment, but the result is the same – a ghost town that speaks about the past. One such town is that of Bodie, California, once the town where there lived thousands of residents in the late 1800s. Now it stands as preserved ghost town, having well over 100 buildings that sit in arrested decay. Tourists are able to walk the streets and peer into the past and imagine what life must have been like in this once-thriving community.
Another famous abandoned town is Pripyat in Ukraine that was abandoned after the nuclear accident at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in 1986. The town remains stuck in the past, the dilapidated buildings and deserted streets being the haunting reminder of the devastation that ravaged the area. These ghost towns and abandoned towns are all the more poignant reminders that human civilization is ephemeral and that nature and calamity have the potential to reshape our world.
Subterranean Bunkers and Tunnels
Humans have been captivated by underground tunnels and bunkers for centuries. These underground facilities have been used for all sorts of applications, from national defense to transportation and even secret societies. Perhaps the most famous underground tunnel system is the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam that were used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. The complex tunnel system allowed guerrilla fighters to move undetected and launch surprise attacks on the Americans. Today’s tourists have access to tour a portion of the tunnels and learn about the resourcefulness and determination of the people who lived underground there during the war.
In addition to the tunnels there are underground bunkers built for protection in the event of war. The Greenbrier Bunker in West Virginia is just one example; the purpose-built complex would have kept members of Congress safe in the event of a nuclear attack during the Cold War. It wasn’t until decades later that the facility was declassified in the 1990s; now visitors can tour the complex and learn about the history. These underground tunnels and bunkers provide us with a glimpse into the secret world beneath our feet where history and secrets await.
Remote National Parks and Wilderness Areas
Remote wilderness preserves and national parks offer the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of life today and immerse oneself in the beauty of nature. These pristine landscapes are typically free from human development and are open spaces where humans and wildlife alike have the chance to reconnect with nature. Examples of remote national parks include Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park boasts towering mountain ranges, expansive glaciers, and diverse wildlife that offer visitors the chance to experience genuine solitude and the thrill. Another wilderness area that is far away from the hustle and bustle of the world is Western Australia’s Kimberley region, which boasts rugged terrain, ancient rocks, and ancient Aboriginal cultural landmarks. Some of the earliest known rock paintings in the world are found in this faraway region and date by the tens of thousands. Visitors have the chance to trek or take a boat tour into the wilderness area and witness the ancient history and natural scenery of the Kimberley. Remote national parks and wilderness areas offer the chance to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with the ancient rhythm of nature.
Abandoned Historical Sites and Ruins
Abandoned historical ruins and sites are scattered around the globe, a testament to the rise and fall of civilizations throughout history. These ancient sites offer a glimpse into the past, allowing travelers to walk in the footsteps of their ancestors. Petra in Jordan is such an abandoned historical site, an ancient city carved out of rose-red rock cliffs over 2,000 years ago. This UNESCO World Heritage site was once a thriving trade center and capital of the Nabatean kingdom but was subsequently abandoned and forgotten until rediscovered in the 19th century. Travelers can now explore the ancient ruins and marvel at the sophisticated architecture and engineering of this abandoned city.
Another forgotten historical site is the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe in southern Africa that was once the center of a great empire. It was abandoned in the 15th century and left behind great structures that continue to puzzle archaeologists and historians today. Visitors are able to tour the ruins and learn about the history of the enigmatic civilization and gain insight into the complexity of ancient African societies. These abandoned historical sites and ruins give us a glimpse into the past and allow us to learn from the inhabitants who once called these places home and appreciate the long-lived legacy of human civilization.
Secret Underground Cities and Military Bases
Secret underground facilities and military complexes have forever been the subject of speculation and mystique and have long been Hidden Forgotten Places from the public and associated with government secrecy and conspiracy. Derinkuyu in Turkey is one such underground complex that exists in the form of an ancient underground city that stretches more than 2,000 years into the past. Derinkuyu’s massive system of tunnels and chambers functioned as a shelter during times of war and persecution where thousands lived underground for years. Today, tourists have the chance to tour part of Derinkuyu and witness the engineering prowess of the ancient residents.
Apart from ancient underground cities, there are also secret contemporary military bases that remain out-of-bounds for the general public. Area 51 in Nevada is probably the most famous one, having been the object of numerous conspiracy theories and speculation about extraterrestrial life. While much about Area 51 remains classified, the mere existence of Area 51 is a reminder about the secret world of the military development and research that continues to shape our world. Secret underground cities and the military bases provide us with a glimpse into the secret world beneath our feet where there are ample secrets and mysteries.
Off-limits Islands and Off-limits Zones These forbidden islands and places are typically shrouded in mystery and intrigue and are off-limits to all but the privileged few since they are ecologically or militarily sensitive. North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean is a forbidden island with a reclusive tribe that has minimal contact with the world. The island is off-limits to the outside world since the government does not wish to disrupt the lifestyle of the tribe or subject them to outside diseases. As a result, little is known about the mysterious tribe, which adds to the island’s mystique.
Hidden Caves and Underground Labyrinths
Some portion of this gigantic underground labyrinth may be toured by visitors who are able to look in wonder at its intricate structures and learn about the natural history that envelops them. In addition to Hidden Forgotten Places caves are underground labyrinths that have been
enigmatic for centuries. The Paris Catacombs are one such example, as they contain a large system of tunnels lined by human remains that were once burial grounds in the 18th century. Today, you are able to tour part of the underground labyrinth and learn about the dark history of Paris and have the experience of viewing mortality in a new perspective. Underground labyrinths and hidden caves offer the chance to tour the underground world that lies beneath our feet and learn about the wonders that are both natural and man-made.
Rediscovering the Past: Lost Places in America You Never Knew Existed
It’s known for the rugged landscape, lawless towns, and the gold rush that brought people from all corners of the country seeking riches. From California’s Bodie to Nevada’s Rhyolite, these ghost towns remain in the past, complete with crumbling buildings and the remnants of bygone years. The charm of these ghost towns lies in the eerie silence and the sense of abandonment that clings to the atmosphere. Every ghost town contains within itself a special history that must be unraveled by history enthusiasts and urban explorers. The Wild West might have been tamed, but the ghost towns are still fascinating and mysterious for all who try to uncover their hidden histories, Hidden Forgotten Places of America You’ve Never Heard Of.
The Mysterious New York City Underground Tunnels
The history in these tunnels is as rich and diverse as the history above the ground, from the prohibition-era speakeasies that occupied the tunnels years ago to secret government operations and even alleged ghost sightings. Exploring these underground tunnels offers a glimpse into the side of New York City that few people ever get to see and a new insight into the rich history that exists there.It’s the mystique surrounding these underground tunnels that makes them so alluring and the thrill that goes along with exploring them.
Abandoned Asylums of the Midwest: The Haunting
The histories of these asylums are as ominous and foreboding as the buildings themselves, replete with stories of abuse, experimentation, and even alleged hauntings. Each asylum has something different to share, and the uncovering of the secret histories of these abandoned structures is a chilling experience for history enthusiasts and urban explorers. Though the Midwest might have endless plains and rolling hills, the abandoned asylums there are intriguing and enigmatic for all those interested in uncovering their secret histories.
