Bannerman’s Castle on the Hudson

On a lonely island fifty miles north of New York City, the bricks of a once-proud castle slowly return to the earth. The crumbling fortress is one of several remaining structures on tiny Pollepel Island, an empty six-and-a-half acre crag hugging the east bank of the Hudson River. The 100 year-old Bannerman’s Castle was originally built as an arsenal, and has been vacant for the last forty five years since a fire ravaged the island in the summer of 1969. It was the creation of a nineteenth-century businessman and served as an advertisement for the era’s largest military surplus empire. When the castle’s namesake passed away, the island was forgotten. It’s brief resurrection was cut short by a fatal fire. For half a century the building has been losing battles against nature. Absent intervention in the very near future, it may lose the war.

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Empire: Abandoned Company Town of Nevada

Sometimes Interesting

A company town is a town where all property and services are owned by the employer. For an employer who plies its trade in mining, such towns are inventions of necessity to provide a labor force given the remote locations of the mineral discoveries. U.S. Gypsum (USG), one of the leading producers of sheet rock, had just such a need when a major deposit of gypsum was discovered 100 miles north of Reno in the middle of the Nevada desert. Employing several hundred workers, USG’s town of Empire reached a peak population of 750 in the early 1960s. But by 2011, U.S. Gypsum – hit hard by the economy and a reduced demand for sheet rock – was forced to close its doors and the town.

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Ishi: The Last Wild North American Indian

Cary O'Dell

Guest Post Series

words by Cary O’Dell It was August of 1911, when Sheriff J.B. Webber of Oroville, California, got word of a strange “savage” found in the corral of a local slaughter house.

The stranger–male, at least middle-age, weak and malnutritioned, and nude save for a strip of cloth worn like a cape–bore the appearance of an Indian. But Indians native to the area, like most Native American tribes, had long since died out, the last of them killed in one final massacre in 1865, almost 50 years ago.

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7 Fun Things to Do in Downtown Miami

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Miami, Florida had over 16.5 million visitors in one year. Are you surprised? You shouldn’t be. In the words of the famous show Miami Vice, “if Miami hasn’t got it, they haven’t invented it yet.” After all, there is no place like it, and any Florida vacation is incomplete without it. Miami is a cultural hub with nightclubs aplenty, unique neighborhoods, and pristine beaches. It has something for everyone, with a few surprises thrown in. And one of the areas to visit in the city is downtown Miami. Whether you are traveling with friends, family, or solo, the area is worth a stop during your trip. Keep reading for seven top things to do in Downtown Miami!

1. Bayfront Park

Bayfront Park is the heart of Downtown Miami. It is perfect for capturing views of the skyline and for admiring Biscayne Bay. You are right on the bay, which is gorgeous. At around 32 acres, you can spend a lot of time here! Take a stroll on one of the paths. Or simply chill amongst the greenery, enjoying Miami’s weather. The park also hosts a lot of events, and there is the FPL Solar Amphitheater. Kids can also visit the Kidszone with a play area and seating. There are also sculptures to admire. They are part of Miami-Dade County’s Art in Public Places program. Check out fantastic public art around the city.

2. Bayside Marketplace

A stone’s throw away is the Bayside Marketplace. A resident of Downtown Miami for over 30 years, this is the place for shopping in the city. As a result, it is one of the most visited attractions in Miami, Florida. It has two levels and is open-air, set on Biscayne Bay. There are over one hundred stores and plenty of restaurants. There are also fun things to do with kids here. There is the Skyviews Miami observation wheel, which towers almost 200 feet above Bayside. And it is the embarkation point for some Downtown Miami cruises! A bay cruise is a fantastic way to admire the area.

3. Hard Rock Stadium

For the sports fans out there, Hard Rock stadium should be on your list. It is home to the Miami Dolphins NFL team and the Miami Hurricanes. And other sports are hosted here, like open tennis championships. There are also other events, such as comedy shows. The Hard Rock Stadium is not currently offering tours, so it is best to go for a game or event. With over 65,000 seats, it is a stadium whose noise echoes around Downtown Miami. Parking in Miami can be difficult, but near Hard Rock Stadium, there are options to choose from.

4. Perez Art Museum

Perez Art Museum is Miami’s modern and contemporary art museum. It hosts international art over three floors. The museum itself is also worth a visit because of its beautiful exterior. Escape the heat and explore. There is a kids program to help engage children in art. There are also tours on offer and changing exhibitions. There is a casual restaurant for lunch too. Check opening hours and days. Admission prices vary. Entry is free for healthcare professionals, military, and children under six years old. It is close to the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, so you can have a full fun day of exploring museums!

5. Freedom Tower

The Freedom Tower is a historic place. It is a distinct landmark in Downtown Miami and one of the city’s most distinctive buildings. For many, it means freedom. It was home to Miami News, the first newspaper in the city. And it became the place Cuban refugees entered the United States. Now it is another cultural hub of Downtown Miami. It offers three museums for the price of one. The Cuban Legacy Gallery, the Kislak Center, and the Museum of Art and Design are all here. There are also exhibits about the Cuban experience. For example, there is a photographic exhibition about the Cuban exile experience.

6. HistoryMiami

If you like history, this one is for you. Get to know the history of Miami in HistoryMiami, which aims to safeguard Miami’s stories. There is an excellent collection of archives and historical artifacts. It is located on the picturesque Miami-Dade Cultural Plaza. It is also a distinctive building covering 100,000 square feet! The stories and history will surprise you. Miami has come a long way since its city of 300 in the 1800s. Discover everything from the first native settlers to present-day Miami, Florida. There is a permanent exhibition called Tropical Dreams: A People’s History of South Florida. This covers 10,000 years of South Florida history. If that feels overwhelming, do not worry, as there are museum tours on offer. There are temporary exhibitions too. If you time it right, you might be able to visit one of the events hosted here. Events include free family fun days, photography, and cultural festivals.

7. Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts

Incredibly, this performing arts center is in Downtown Miami. The Ziff Ballet Opera House, Knight Concert Hall, and Carnival Studio Theater are here. You can laugh, cry, or experience a rollercoaster evening of fun! Many famous touring Broadway shows perform here, such as Hamilton and Phantom of the Opera. However, many local performances happen here too. Zoetic Stage is a theater company aiming to put the South Florida arts scene on the national radar. New World Symphony, Miami City Ballet, and the Florida Grand Opera also perform here.

Have Fun in the City

Downtown Miami is a great place to have fun in the city. There are so many fun things to do, but this list gets you started! Miami is an incredible city that will make your Florida vacation complete. Immerse yourself in the incredible cultures that call Miami home, and make it the city it is today. Did you like this article? Check out our other travel posts!

Abandoned: Old Reid Memorial Hospital

Sometimes Interesting

The original Reid Memorial Hospital in Richmond, Indiana, was built in 1905 and served the community for over one hundred years. During that time the hospital continuously expanded, adding new wings in new architectural styles to grow with the population.

Eventually the organization was forced to relocate to a new facility in 2008, leaving the old campus in the hands of eager developers. However bad planning, bad timing, and just plain bad luck has seen multiple investor groups fail to resurrect the old Reid – leaving the city an eyesore with a large unpaid tax bill.

Why did Reid leave, and why couldn’t the old campus be saved?

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New South China Mall: Largest Empty Mall in the World

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Located about 50 miles north of Hong Kong in Dongguan, China, the New South China Mall is the largest abandoned mall in the world by gross leasable area. Twice the size of United States’ Mall of America, it was opened with room for 2,350 stores in 7.1 million square feet of leasable space. No mall in the world can rival New South China in any category, except perhaps number of tenants. Despite having every amenity a shopper could want, the mall has been 99% vacant since it’s opening in 2005.

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Stately in Abandonment: Witley Court

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During its heyday Witley Court was one of Europe’s most lavish Victorian estates. An iconic portico and timeless fountain – both penned by famed designers – are hallmarks of this West Midlands treasure. Nearly one hundred were on staff, and for centuries it served as a residence for British Lords who often entertained royalty. However an early twentieth-century fire ravaged the building, and a prohibitive cost to rebuild forced the owners to abandon the home. It wasn’t until decades later the derelict building was rescued by a preservation commission, and today it stands as the grandest Victorian manor in arrested decay.

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World’s Largest Super Collider: Abandoned

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A supercollider is a large ring designed to accelerate particles of protons and anti-protons until they collide. Its purpose is to create large amounts of energy in a controlled and monitored environment.

In the mid 1980’s, the United States wanted to construct the largest particle collider in the world. But when the escalating costs across multiple revised estimates became financially insurmountable, the project was terminated before completion. Now, nineteen years after construction was terminated, it still sits abandoned and vacant.

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