The National Trust for Historic Preservation compiled a list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. With the A.G. Gaston Motel in Birmingham, Ala., where Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Jr. once stayed, Miami’s Little Havana; and the Grand Canyon included on the list, the organization highlights this year’s record as the most diverse ever.
“For more than a quarter century, our list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places has called attention to threatened one-of-a-kind treasures throughout the nation and galvanized local communities to help save them,†Stephanie Meeks, the president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said in a statement. “This year’s list is our most diverse ever, and reflects our commitment to recognizing and preserving all the facets of our diverse history.â€
Each year, the National Trust releases its list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places to raise awareness about the threats facing some of the nation’s greatest treasures. Due to the dedicated work of the National Trust, its partners, and local preservationists across the country, several sites have been saved. Here’s a snapshot of the places below:
A.G. Gaston Motel
Birmingham, Alabama
The A.G. Gaston Motel was a luxury hotel for African-Americans during segregation. Civil Rights leaders including Martin Luther King Jr. stayed at the motel and used it as a hub for strategic planning. Today, the motel sits vacant and faces increased deterioration.
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Oak Flat
Superior, AZ
Oak Flat holds unique religious, cultural, traditional, and archaeological significance to the San Carlos Apache and other Native American tribes.
The Factory
West Hollywood, Calif.
The Factory housed the pioneering Mitchell Camera Corporation for decades, and after serving a variety of other uses, reopened in 1974 as Studio One, an influential disco for gay men.
Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon, AZ
(Alan English)
One of the world’s most celebrated natural wonders and a sacred site for numerous Native American tribes, the Grand Canyon faces numerous threats.
(Credit: Photo courtesy Alan English)
Fort Worth Stock YardsFort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth Stockyards National Register historic district is emblematic of the establishment of the livestock industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was central to the cultural and economic development of western states. (Credit: Photo by John Roberts)
Old US Mint
San Francisco, California
A San Francisco landmark and one of the few buildings to withstand the 1906 earthquake and fire, the Old U.S. Mint is currently underused and deteriorating. (Credit: Photo Sanfranman59 on Wikimedia Commons)
South Street Seaport
New York, NY
The site of New York City’s early maritime industry, the South Street Seaport today features the largest concentration of restored 19th century commercial buildings in New York. Photo Public Domain (LOC)
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