601 Old Ruins to Explore in United States

The Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House is an important piece of history that draws many visitors every year. Constructed in 1820, it was originally built as a one-and-a-half-story brick dwelling with a limestone foundation. The house has been restored to its original appearance and was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Visitors can tour the interior of the house, which includes such 19th century artifacts as furniture pieces, books, paintings and more.

The 510 Bridge is a unique engineering marvel that stretches across the beautiful Powder Mill Creek. Constructed in 1920, this bridge features an Adamesque-style arch design with masonry voussoirs, brick arch rings and concrete abutments. Its impressive construction ensured it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Spanning 33 feet and standing at 16 feet tall, It is a majestic sight to behold and enjoys popularity amongst walkers and photographers alike.

Ada Covered Bridge, is a piece of history that has withstood the test of time. Dating back to 1867, it is the only remaining covered bridge in Michigan and one of three in all of the Great Lakes region. Sited on a scenic 115-acre park near an expansive evergreen forest, Ada Covered Bridge can be described as an architectural marvel that seamlessly unites old world charm with modern convenience.

The Adams Power Plant Transformer House, located in Niagara Falls, New York, is an architectural relic that stands as a fascinating reminder of the region's pioneering days in electricity generation. Constructed in 1895, it served as an integral part of the historic Adams Power Plant, one of the earliest hydroelectric power plants in the United States.

The Adena Mansion & Gardens Historic Site is a beautifully preserved historical attraction located in Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio. It is the former home of Thomas Worthington, who was Ohio's sixth governor and one of its founding fathers. The site offers a glimpse into early 19th-century life, Ohio's political history, and the architectural and horticultural achievements of the time.

Agate House is a partially reconstructed Puebloan building in Petrified Forest National Park, built almost entirely of petrified wood. The eight-room pueblo has been dated to approximately the year 900 and occupied through 1200, of the Pueblo II and Pueblo III periods. The agatized wood was laid in a clay mortar, in lieu of the more usual sandstone-and-mortar masonry of the area.

The Albany Rural Cemetery, located in Albany, New York, is a historic and picturesque cemetery that serves as the final resting place for many notable individuals. Established in 1841, it covers a vast area of over 400 acres, featuring beautifully landscaped grounds with rolling hills, serene ponds, and majestic trees.

Alley Spring & Mill is a beautiful and historic attraction located in Shannon County, Missouri, that offers visitors a glimpse into the region's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. The centerpiece of the attraction is the Alley Spring, which is one of the most picturesque and popular natural springs in the state. The spring flows from an underground source and creates a crystal clear pool that is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and fishing.

4,163 acres (17 km²) park that includes the grounds of former mercury ("quicksilver") mines. The park is named after the New Almaden Quicksilver Mines, which were named after the mercury mine in (old) Almadén, Spain, and produced mercury that was used to process ore during the Gold Rush.

Almanzo Wilder Homestead is a historical landmark that honors the life of author and pioneer, Almanzo Wilder. Originating from the Little House on the Prairie series written by his wife Laura Ingalls Wilder, this homestead serves as a museum for all things related to the Wilders.Visitors can explore the restored barn and farmhouse, which feature items from that period of time like tools, furniture, clothes, and more.

Alpine Tunnel is a 1,772 ft narrow gauge railroad tunnel located east of Pitkin, Colorado on the former Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad route from Denver to Gunnison. It was a 1,772 feet long tunnel built for a narrow gauge rail line that ran from Denver to Gunnison. It opened in 1882, and was the first tunnel crossing of the Continental Divide in the state.

The Altaville Grammar School in Altaville, California is one of the oldest grammar schools in California. It was built in 1858 of brick in the Greek Revival style and remained in use until 1950, when it was replaced by the Mark Twain Elementary School in Altaville. After its abandonment, it fell into disrepair, but was restored in 1989 by the Calaveras County Historical Society. The building serves now as an example of a typical schoolroom of the 19th century.

The Amache National Historic Site is located in Prowers County, Colorado. It was established in 1965 to preserve the site of the Amache Internment Camp, which was used to imprison Japanese Americans during World War II. Today, the site is open to the public and features a variety of interpretive exhibits. Visitors can also explore the remains of the camp, including the foundations of buildings and surfaces where internees wrote messages on the ground.

This is the largest natural history museum in the world. The complex comprises 26 interconnected buildings housing 45 permanent exhibition halls, in addition to a planetarium and a library and the collections contain over 34 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, human remains, and human cultural artifacts and more.

Andalusia, was the home of prominent Southern author and essayist Flannery O'Connor. Situated on a 500-acre farm near Milledgeville, this sprawling estate saw the birth of many of O’Connor’s critically acclaimed works such as ‘Wise Blood’ and 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find'. Overlooking a placid lake and surrounded by pecan trees, it was in Andalusia that ‘The preeminent chronicler of the Deep South’ honed her craft.

The Anderson Downtown Historic District, located in Anderson, South Carolina, is a charming and culturally rich area that celebrates the city's heritage while offering a vibrant and dynamic urban experience. This historic district is a testament to the city's growth and transformation over the years, with a blend of historic architecture, thriving businesses, cultural venues, and a welcoming atmosphere.

It is most notably home to the Confederate prisoner of war camp known as Camp Sumter, which was operated during the Civil War. The historic site serves today to memorialize the prisoners who suffered and perished there and helps the public remember the experiences of those incarcerated by offering multiple educational experiences both onsite and online. Additionally, its grounds are also a cemetery for unknown soldiers that first began operations in 1865 with more than 13,000 interments.

Apple River Fort State Historic Site, is a fascinating piece of local history. Constructed by American settlers in 1832 to repel Indian forces during the Black Hawk War, the fort was designed to lodge over 200 men and contained defensive palisades and bastions. The fort saw its most dramatic moment when a group of redcoats attempted to breach the walls during a surprise attack. Luckily, despite taking heavy casualties on both sides and enduring countless cannon rounds fired by the British.

Argo Gold Mine & Mill is a national historic site located about 45 minutes from Denver. featuring an intact gold mill built at the entrance of the Argo Tunnel. The tunnel was built between 1893 and 1910 to drain the gold mines in Virginia Canyon, Gilpin Gulch, Russell Gulch, Quartz Hill, Nevadaville, and Central City and allow easier ore removal. It began in 1893 with the construction of the Argo Tunnel. After 17 years it reached Central City, about 4.5 miles away.

Arrow Rock Historic District is a renowned historic destination located in Saline County, Missouri, known for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture and rich cultural heritage. The district encompasses over 50 structures, including homes, businesses, and public buildings, that display a range of architectural styles dating back to the mid-19th century.