Author: Ms. R.

Founded in 1914 by the French company Davey Bickford Smith, this gunpowder mill played an important role in the First and Second World Wars, producing all types of fuses used in weaponry, and projectiles of all sizes, including anti-aircraft and anti-tank warheads. During the 1930s and 1940s, this company reached its peak production, and it employed more than 2,000 people, a number that pretty much coincided with the entire population of Taino at the time. The history of the……

Read More

Originally erected in 1991, the Kløvet sten (“Split Stone”) sculpture, created by the late sculptor Frede Troelsen, explores profound questions about life, growth, and death. This artwork consists of three stones: a monolith-shaped piece of Swedish granite positioned between two halves of a natural stone, creating the impression of being cleaved. Notably, the stone carving has been described by locals as bearing a resemblance to the male reproductive organ, adding an intriguing layer to its interpretation. For 28 years,……

Read More

All across the world, there are portals to hell. Some are simply called that, like the Gates of Hell in Turkmenistan, thanks to the way it looks—a singular fiery pit that’s raged for decades. Others, like Houska Castle in Czechia, have been told to guard portals to hell, trapping a myriad of demons below its very foundations. From folklore to very real pits and caves, here are our favorite portals to take you to the netherworld. The Gates of……

Read More

Some bird names are straightforward: clear, descriptive, even evocative. Take the collared forest falcon. We know where it hangs out and what it looks like. Or the social flycatcher (what it eats and how it gathers) or yellow-bellied sapsucker (coloration, diet, and method of eating). Many more birds get their names from the old tradition of eponyms, to honor the person who found them, a mentor, a lost loved one: think Anna’s hummingbird or Townsend’s warbler. These names have……

Read More

Zermatt, Switzerland, is legendary throughout the global climbing community. It is surrounded by incredible mountain peaks, whose names—Breithorn, Täschhorn, Monte Rosa, and the iconic Matterhorn—echo through climbing history. With the thousands of tourists that file up and down these peaks each year, it is easy to forget that there was a time when the safest routes were still mysterious—and that to this day, one wrong move could cost you your life. The cemetery of Zermatt has a special section,……

Read More

Near the summit of Agassiz Peak, the second-highest peak in Arizona, in the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort in the Coconino National Forest, an amenity to visitors has a curious designation. The public restroom on the slopes of the mountains has been identified as the highest toilet in Arizona. The toilets are near the summit of the San Francisco Peaks and within the only area of Arizona that is classified as a tundra ecosystem. Within sight is the highest point……

Read More

The American West seems vast and unending, but for much of its history, only a few locations promised safe travel. During the era of western expansion, Indigenous guides and mountain men would find safer areas to ford rivers and traverse the dangerous landscape. In present-day Farson, Wyoming, the Big Sandy Crossing was a hub of transportation, commerce, and communications during its 19th-century heyday. The Big Sandy River’s banks afforded weary travelers a crossing to the nearby Green River. This……

Read More

Opened in 2022, The Bone Museum is a rare repository of real human skeletons, which is dedicated to explaining their use throughout medical history. Founder Jon Pichaya Ferry started collecting human remains mostly from medical professionals while still living in a dorm room at Parsons School of Design. Under the label JonsBones, previously displayed his macabre assortment in his Williamsburg apartment, before relocating to a permanent 175-square-foot space in Bushwick.  While the museum might seem a tad morbid, Ferry……

Read More

The Hyde Park Picture House has been entertaining the citizens of Leeds since opening its doors on November 2, 1914.  The cinema retains many of its original features (the original projection screen is preserved behind the modern one) including its Edwardian lamppost, terrazzo floor, tiled facade, molded balcony and ceiling, Dutch gable, and nine iconic gas lamps. Originally installed as “modesty lighting” to discourage any back-seat activities, visitors to the main auditorium are still welcomed by their flickering glow……

Read More

Northfield Mountain is a picturesque recreation area in north-central Massachusetts. It boasts an incredibly well-maintained trail system, featuring miles of paths through the woods. One can meander up gentle slopes to the top of the mountain. Come winter, the trails function as an extensive cross-country ski trail network. Northfield Mountain is more than just a beautiful place to be outdoors. Deep inside the mountain, past layers of security, there’s a hydroelectric plant. The Firstlight Power Plant uses cheap electricity……

Read More

The age of Seven Sisters Oak has been estimated at between 600 and 1,500 years, with many experts favoring the more ancient end of the spectrum. The Seven Sisters Oak is both a Louisiana and national champion live oak. The Seven Sisters Oak is the current president of the Live Oak Society, its status awarded to it by virtue of its being the largest live oak registered by the society in North America. In 2019, the Seven Sisters Oak……

Read More

Listen and subscribe on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast apps. In this episode of The Atlas Obscura Podcast, we talk about Dolly Parton, who’s installed a “dreambox” time capsule at her amusement park. In it, there’s a secret song that no one will hear until the legendary artist turns 100. Our podcast is an audio guide to the world’s wondrous, awe-inspiring, strange places. In under 15 minutes, we’ll take you to an incredible site, and along……

Read More

A great stop along CA 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) where visitors can walk among the Navy missiles developed at Point Mugu since the 1950s, plus a few aircraft. The location is free to visit and is home to plenty of parking. There is also a small picnic area at the site. It’s also a great stop to see the occasional military aircraft arrive at the base.      …

Read More