ODD PLACES
YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF…
See if you can identify the locations of THESE odd places without Googling them…
ABANDONED. This city thought ahead. They had an old canal that was being used as an open sewer and they needed a transportation system. One project could solve both issues. So in 1916 they began a 16 mile loop to create a subway/surface system. They completed 6 miles, including 2 miles of subway, when they abandoned the project 12 years later.
Sadly, the system would have avoided generations of traffic snarls that the city would be known for not more than 35 years down the road. Thankfully they solved the sewage issue.
The never-used subway tunnel is still there and in great shape. It is open for tourists twice every year.
CIRCUS TOWN. This city became a place for performers to live when not on the road. It hosted the only post office with a service counter specifically built for “little people” (dwarves). Plus, special zoning laws allowed residents to keep elephants on their front lawns.
It was once the home town of Percilla the Monkey Girl as well as Lobster Boy. Siamese twin sisters owned and operated a fruit stand in this small town.
GHOST TOWN. This town has been condemned by the state and almost all homes and properties have been taken through eminent domain. Just a few years ago there were only 5 remaining older residents, who have permission to stay until they die.
Why? In 1962 the fire department started a fire in the local landfill. The fire broke through to an underground coal vein and is still burning under the area. It cannot be extinguished. As a result, in many places the air has too much carbon monoxide and the ground unstable. Sinkholes develop suddenly and surface fires erupt without warning. Don’t stay too long.
ARTSY-FARTSY. A gang of women, led by Hannah Jumper, ransacked the town in 1856 destroying all things alcohol. Some would say it has gone downhill ever since.
Later it became known for its artists colony. In 1922, Elias F. Stenman built a house out of newspaper. Doors, walls, picture frames, and even a piano are made of the stuff. At the time, newsprint was cheap. Today it would cost a small fortune.
I know…some of you may not remember that at once upon a time news was printed on paper and people read it to RELAX while having a cup of coffee.
HAIRY. Human hair is … common (for some). It can also be interesting (kinda’). Out of it some have made coats or sweaters.
Leila Cohoon was a hairdresser. Instead of tossing the tress trimmings, she created art. In her hair museum you will find 400 hair wreaths (quite beautiful and detailed), as well as over 2000 pieces of jewelry made from hair. There is a story behind each one. She even has hair from Abraham Lincoln and a few other famous people.
RADIOACTIVE. Have you ever wanted to visit a nuclear waste dump? You can. In fact you can hike to the top of a pile of the stuff. Nuclear waste was dumped here and capped with soil and rocks. It is a mound nearly 7 stories high.
Following WWII there was great interest in nuclear science…which led to the problem of disposing of nuclear waste.
However, be warned that radiation is not the only exposure risk at the site. Nearby they also manufactured TNT, DNT, and defoliants through the mid-1960s. It should be safe, but tour at your own peril!
Now for the REVEAL!
(scroll down to find the places you may want to visit)
Cincinnati, OH
Gibsonton, FL
Centralia, PA
Rockport, MA
Independence, MO
Weldon Springs, MO
Copyright 2023 Donald Whelpley
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms, as I do, and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him elsewhere. ~ Sherry]
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