America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

The National Trust for Historic Preservation publishes its 2004 list of America's 11 most endangered historic places.

1 minute read

May 26, 2004, 5:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Located in a remote part of Utah, Nine Mile Canyon, called 'the world's longest art gallery' for its 10,000 Native American rock-art images, is threatened by plans for extensive oil and gas exploration. Far away, in the oak and redwood-studded ranchlands of northern California, Ridgewood Ranch, Home of Seabiscuit, is in jeopardy, its former thoroughbred glory dulled by deterioration. In New York City, an unorthodox and controversial icon of the recent past, 2 Columbus Circle, located on the southwest corner of Central Park, may soon be stripped of its architectural integrity. And, a state known for its historic villages, winding back roads, spectacular mountain vistas and strong sense of community – Vermont – is once again besieged by the onslaught of big-box retail development.

Thanks to Chris Steins

Monday, May 24, 2004 in National Trust For Historic Preservation

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 30, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

The mayor of Baltimore speaks into a microphone in front of a rally for more state transportation funding from Maryland.

‘Going backwards:’ Baltimore mayor, students rally against state's transit funding plan

Maryland's proposed six-year plan provides no funding for Baltimore’s BMORE bus program and reduces its road maintenance funding.

October 2, 2026 - Baltimore Sun

An old brick apartment building in NYC.

Mamdani sent nearly 6,000 pied-à-terre tax warnings to homes that didn’t qualify

A judge has ordered the administration to cancel thousands of pied-à-terre tax notices after it sent 35% of them erroneously.

October 3, 2026 - The City Reporter

A person lays down red geothermal pipes.

A Colorado neighborhood is the testing ground for the future of home energy

A start up may have found a way to quickly bring geothermal energy to new communities.

6 seconds ago - Inside Climate News

An old brick apartment building in NYC.

Mamdani sent nearly 6,000 pied-à-terre tax warnings to homes that didn’t qualify

A judge has ordered the administration to cancel thousands of pied-à-terre tax notices after it sent 35% of them erroneously.

October 3 - The City Reporter

A rendering of the waterfront development, which shows a lit-up stage by the waterfront and people walking about.

Detroit to transform waterfront with $2.2 billion investment

Developers will convert about 18 acres of unused parking lot space into civic spaces.

October 2 - ABC 7

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design