Over the last century, our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents have all had experiences that we will never be able to duplicate. Aside, obviously, from them living through historical events like the Kennedy assassination or turning on their very first television. They could visit places and see things that sadly we will never witness because they are not around anymore. Due to global warming, thoughtless tourists and mishandled world politics, numerous wonders of the world have become impossible to reach or are just plain gone. Some of these places are better off not being visited, while the absence of others makes the world a slightly duller place. It is hard to comprehend, but these monuments and holiday spots have pretty much disappeared.
Lady Liberty’s Torch
Four million tourists flock to Liberty Island in New York each year to see the architectural marvel, The Statue of Liberty. If you are adventurous and don’t mind a difficult climb, you can make a reservation (months in advance) and enter the crown. But if you have your heart set on going even higher into the torch, prepare for disappointment.
Lady Liberty’s Torch was damaged in an explosion in 1916, making the arm and torch inaccessible for over 100 years. Although the torch was eventually repaired in 1984, it has not been reopened for visitors since.
The Eye of the Needle
Another famous sandstone arch, the Eye of the Needle was located alongside the Missouri River not far from Fort Benton, Montana. Even though it didn’t rival Utah’s Wall Arch in size, its solitary location by the side of the river made it look like a doorway and was a big draw for visitors. After Memorial Day Weekend in 1997, park rangers learned that the arch had collapsed.
Near the rubble, they found discarded beer bottles and other trash which led them to assume that the arch had been vandalized. The structure had stood for over 10,000 years and no one was ever charged with the crime, leading many to believe the fall happened naturally.
