The 11 Most Endangered Historic Places In America

There’s never been a time when the places around us have mattered more. While the coronavirus pandemic has put a lockdown on international travel, preventing Americans from visiting most of the world, there’s been a silver lining—the experience has inspired many of us to look around and explore what’s in our own backyard. So the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s annual reveal of the country’s most endangered historic places couldn’t come at a more appropriate moment.

For the 33rd year, the group—a privately funded nonprofit organization that works to save America’s historic places—has identified 11 places that are in danger of disappearing. “It is at times like these when cultural treasures mean the most,” said Paul Edmondson, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The list spotlights some of the most important examples of our country’s architectural and cultural heritage that will be destroyed without intervention. Here’s a quick look at the 11 places on the list, why they’re significant—and how you can help.

Sun-n-Sand Motor Hotel – Jackson, Mississippi

Why it matters: This midcentury-modern hotel was once a gathering place for civil rights activists—most notably the multi-racial, women-led initiative “Wednesdays in Mississippi.”

Why it’s in danger: The State of Mississippi purchased the vacant building in 2019 and plans to demolish it and put up a parking lot.

What you can do: Send a letter calling on Mississippi elected officials to repurpose rather than demolish this civil rights landmark.

National Negro Opera Company House – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Why it matters: This residential property—built in 1894—was once the headquarters for the nation’s first Black opera company and also provided temporary rooming quarters for legends like singer Lena Horne and sports hero Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Why it’s in danger: The house is now vacant and severely deteriorated.

What you can do: Show your support for local advocates who are working with community partners to create a plan to protect and honor the building’s legacy. 

Rassawek – Columbia, Virginia

Why it matters: Located at the fork of the Rivanna and James rivers, Rassawek was the historical capital of the Monacan Nation. Today, the area contains at least six archaeological sites and the final resting places of Monacan ancestors.

Why it’s in danger: The James River Water Authority (JRWA) plans to build a water pumping facility on the Point.

What you can do: Send a letter to the Louisa and Fluvanna Counties Board of Supervisors, urging them to require the JRWA to choose an alternative location that saves Rassawek.

Ponce Historic Zone – Ponce, Puerto Rico

Why it matters: Ponce is the second largest city in Puerto Rico and a Designated Historic Zone.

Why it’s in danger: The city has been experiencing regular earthquakes and tremors that have caused extensive structural damage to the historic architecture, compounding the damages caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017.

What you can do: Send a letter calling on Puerto Rico’s elected officials to identify and propose funding options for the recovery and rehabilitation of the Ponce Historic Zone.

Alazan-Apache Courts – San Antonio, Texas

Why it matters: Opened in 1940-41, the Alazan-Apache Courts—aka Los Courts—was conceived at a time when housing, schools and public facilities were legally segregated. Los Courts provided affordable housing for San Antonio’s majority Mexican American Westside, where families struggled with poverty, lack of municipal services, severe flood conditions and high death rates.

Why it’s in danger: The San Antonio Housing Authority is planning to demolish these historic structures. 

What you can do: Send a letter to the San Antonio Housing Authority and urge them to recognize Los Courts’ cultural and historic significance and rehabilitate rather than demolish it.

Harada House – Riverside, California

Why it matters: In 1915, Jukichi Harada, a Japanese immigrant, purchased a house in Riverside, California in the names of his American-born children. But the state of California tried to seize this house from the Harada family, who eventually won the right to own their property via a landmark Superior Court decision.The Harada House represents an early challenge to anti-immigrant and racist property laws that defined citizenship by birth.

Why it’s in danger: The Harada House has fallen into such disrepair that it is now at risk of collapse.

What you can do: Support local advocates, who have launched a campaign to rehabilitate the house and open it to the public as part of the Museum of Riverside. 

Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ – Chicago, Illinois

Why it matters: The September 1955 funeral and visitation services for Emmett Till were pivotal in American history. His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, insisted on an open casket funeral at Roberts Temple Church of God in Christ—allowing mourners to see how her 14-year-old son was brutally murdered in Mississippi after being accused of whistling at a white woman. The incident helped catalyze the Civil Rights movement, and the building is now listed as a Chicago Landmark.

Why it’s in danger: The church has severe structural issues and is only minimally used by the congregation.

What you can do: To ensure long-term viability, the building needs rehabilitation funding and partnerships.

Yates Memorial Hospital – Ketchikan, Alaska

Why it matters: Built in 1905 as a clergy house for the Episcopal Mission, the building was re-purposed in 1909 to serve as a 12-bed hospital during Ketchikan’s boom years. Many dedicated and determined women worked tirelessly as nurses, under very difficult conditions, to care for the sick and injured.

Why it’s in danger: The building has been vacant for 15 years and is suffering from a failing roof, foundations, and interior deterioration.

What you can do: Local supporters are raising funds to restore the building to include a museum featuring the nurses’ stories.

Terrace Plaza Hotel – Cincinnati, Ohio

Why it matters: Completed in 1948, the Terrace Plaza Hotel was one of the first post-war hotels in America, and the first hotel by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Pioneering female architect Natalie de Blois played a major role in the hotel’s design.

Why it’s in danger: Mostly vacant since 2008, the hotel is deteriorating, but local advocates believe that rehabilitating the Terrace Plaza will preserve this early modern landmark and provide economic benefits for downtown Cincinnati. 

What you can do: Send a letter to Mayor John Cranley and urge the city to prioritize the preservation and redevelopment of the Terrace Plaza in a way that reestablishes the importance of this historic International Style landmark.

Hall of Waters – Excelsior Springs, Missouri

Why it matters: About 30 miles northeast of Kansas City, the Hall of Waters was built in 1938 with assistance from the Public Works Administration as a mineral water health resort. It used to be home to the world’s longest water bar.

Why it’s in danger: The building still operates as city offices and a tourism welcome center, but it needs more than $16 million in rehabilitation—way beyond what this small community can undertake with public funds. 

What you can do: The city recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in the hopes of finding a collaborator for a public-private partnership that would allow for a number of essential upgrades and repairs to be made to the structure.

West Berkeley Shellmound and Village Site – Berkeley, California

Why it matters: One of the most important Ohlone settlements—dating back 5,700 years sits—sits on the shores of San Francisco Bay. It was once a burial and ceremonial ground and is still an active place of Ohlone prayer and ceremony.

Why it’s in danger: This sacred place has been paved over as parking lot and there have even been plans to build a large condo project on the site.

What you can do: The condo plans are on hold, but the future of the privately owned site is uncertain. 

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