Jenny Buddenborg / National Trust for Historic Preservation
Bear Butte in Meade County, S.D., is considered sacred ground by as many as 17 Native American tribes and is threatened by proposed energy-development projects.
A Civil War fort, a Colonial-era farm and a 1,000-square-mile swath of northwestern New Mexico. What could such disparate destinations have in common?
Sadly, their one shared characteristic is that they all made the latest edition of America’s 11 Most Endangered Places, released Wednesday from the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP).
Now in its 24th year, the annual list shines a light on the nation’s architectural, cultural and natural heritage by focusing on places that are at risk of destruction or damage, be it by way of neglect, development, age or natural causes. By publicizing their plights, NTHP hopes to rally support to preserve them.
At the same time, the group has a larger goal in mind. “We also hope it serves as a catalyst for communities everywhere to fight for the irreplaceable landmarks and landscapes that define our past — and enrich our present,” said NTHP President Stephanie Meeks.
And, perhaps, the future. This year’s list also includes a first-ever “Watch List” designation, assigned to a site NTHP believes faces a growing threat that can be avoided or controlled through collaborative efforts. Its 2011 designee: Charleston, S.C., where the group hopes to promote a balance between the city’s historic charm and its expanding cruise ship tourism.
In the meantime, this year’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places are:
- Bear Butte, Meade County, S.D.: Considered sacred ground by as many as 17 Native American tribes, this 4,426-foot mountain is threatened by proposed energy-development projects that NTHP says “will negatively impact the sacred site and further degrade the cultural landscape.”
- Belmead-on-the-James, Powhatan County, Va.: This one-time slave-holding plantation became a school for African-American boys in 1893. Closed in 1970, the Gothic Revival manor house and other buildings are in need of emergency repair.
- China Alley, Hanford, Calif.: Brick facades and Asian detailing create a unique atmosphere in this once-bustling Chinatown, which dates back to 1877. Today, it suffers from disuse, deterioration and insensitive development, says NTHP.
- Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island, Ala.: Established in 1821, this fort played a major role in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War. Today, it’s under siege by tides and currents, which are eroding its shoreline by as much as 50 feet per year.
- Greater Chaco Landscape, N.M.: This 1,000-square-mile swath of northwestern New Mexico is home to hundreds of Native American cultural and archeological sites. It’s threatened, says NTHP, by increased oil and gas exploration in the area.
- Isaac Manchester Farm, Avella, Pa.: Founded in 1797 and kept in the same family for eight generations, this 400-acre farm in southwestern Pennsylvania sells organic beef and other natural products, but is threatened by potential coal-mining operations.
- John Coltrane House, Dix Hills, N.Y.: The house where the jazz master composed “A Love Supreme” was saved from demolition in 2004, but is still deteriorating. A local preservation group hopes to restore it but lacks funds, says NTHP.
- National Soldiers Home Historic District, Milwaukee, Wis.: This 90-acre district was originally established to care for veterans of the Civil War. According to NTHP, deferred maintenance has left its historic buildings unused and on the verge of collapse.
- Pillsbury A Mill, Minneapolis, Minn.: Towering over the Mississippi River, this 130-year-old mill was considered the largest flour mill in the world for the next 40 years. Now vacant, it’s threatened by piecemeal development.
- Prentice Women’s Hospital, Chicago, Ill.: With its round windows in four cylindrical towers, this one-of-a-kind building resembles a 3-D cloverleaf. Unique architecture notwithstanding, it faces imminent demolition.
- “Sites imperiled by state actions”: According to NTHP, this comprehensive designation refers to the fact that state budget cuts pose an ongoing threat to historic places across the country. If key sources of funding and incentives are lost, thousands of irreplaceable sites and national treasures may suffer untold consequences, says the group.
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