Nation’s most endangered historic places

Katia Hetter, CNN
2 minute read
Published 7:02 AM EDT, Wed June 19, 2013
The Abyssinian Meeting House in Portland, Maine, was the spiritual center for the city's African-American community for generations.
Abyssinian Meeting House, Maine —
The Abyssinian Meeting House in Portland, Maine, was the spiritual center for the city's African-American community for generations.
Katie Uffelman/Greater Portland Landmarks
The Abyssinian Meeting House needs funding to restore the building.
Abyssinian Meeting House, Maine —
The Abyssinian Meeting House needs funding to restore the building.
Katie Uffelman/Greater Portland Landmarks
The Houston Astrodome is the world's first domed, indoor, air-conditioned stadium. It was once called the "Eighth Wonder of the World."
Houston Astrodome —
The Houston Astrodome is the world's first domed, indoor, air-conditioned stadium. It was once called the "Eighth Wonder of the World."
Courtesy National Trust for Historic Preservation
The size of the 18-story Houston Astrodome is both "a challenge and an opportunity," says the National Trust's Stephanie Meeks.
Houston Astrodome —
The size of the 18-story Houston Astrodome is both "a challenge and an opportunity," says the National Trust's Stephanie Meeks.
Courtesy National Trust for Historic Preservation
The Chinatown House in Rancho Cucamonga, California, was once a general store and home for a community of about 50 Chinese-American laborers. The front of the building is shown here.
Chinatown House, California —
The Chinatown House in Rancho Cucamonga, California, was once a general store and home for a community of about 50 Chinese-American laborers. The front of the building is shown here.
Rick Eng
The rear view of the Chinatown House, one of the last existing connections to the Chinese-American workers who helped build Rancho Cucamonga, is shown here.
Chinatown House, California —
The rear view of the Chinatown House, one of the last existing connections to the Chinese-American workers who helped build Rancho Cucamonga, is shown here.
Rick Eng
Gay Head Lighthouse in Aquinnah, Massachusetts, was the first lighthouse built on Martha's Vineyard. Gay Head is in danger of falling over Gay Head Cliffs.
Gay Head Lighthouse, Massachusetts —
Gay Head Lighthouse in Aquinnah, Massachusetts, was the first lighthouse built on Martha's Vineyard. Gay Head is in danger of falling over Gay Head Cliffs.
Courtesy Martha's Vineyard Museum
Montana has more historic one- and two-room schoolhouses than any other state. The Howard School in Forsyth is shown here.
Montana's historic schoolhouses —
Montana has more historic one- and two-room schoolhouses than any other state. The Howard School in Forsyth is shown here.
Carroll Van West
Montana's historic schoolhouses are at risk as the state's population shifts to the urban centers. The Glentana School in Valley County is shown here.
Montana's historic schoolhouses —
Montana's historic schoolhouses are at risk as the state's population shifts to the urban centers. The Glentana School in Valley County is shown here.
Carroll Van West
In 1607, America's first permanent English settlement at Jamestown was founded along the banks of the James River.
James River, Virginia —
In 1607, America's first permanent English settlement at Jamestown was founded along the banks of the James River.
Dennis Hockman/National Trust for Historic Preservation
The James River and landscape are threatened by a proposed transmission line project that would change this historic area's scenery, according to the National Trust.
James River, Virginia —
The James River and landscape are threatened by a proposed transmission line project that would change this historic area's scenery, according to the National Trust.
Courtesy James River Association
The buildings at Kake Cannery, which were instrumental in the development of Alaska's salmon-canning industry in the first half of the 20th century, are in urgent need of stabilization.
Kake Cannery, Alaska —
The buildings at Kake Cannery, which were instrumental in the development of Alaska's salmon-canning industry in the first half of the 20th century, are in urgent need of stabilization.
Courtesy Library of Congress
The Mountain View Black Officers' Club in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, is a significant example of a military club built specifically for African-American officers. The club is in danger of being demolished by the U.S. Army, according to the trust.
Mountain View Black Officers' Club, Arizona —
The Mountain View Black Officers' Club in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, is a significant example of a military club built specifically for African-American officers. The club is in danger of being demolished by the U.S. Army, according to the trust.
Courtesy Fort Huachuca Archives
Iglesia de San Jose (San Jose Church) in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, was built in 1532 and is one of the last remaining Spanish Gothic structures in the Western Hemisphere. It has been closed for 13 years and is deteriorating.
Iglesia de San Jose, Puerto Rico —
Iglesia de San Jose (San Jose Church) in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, was built in 1532 and is one of the last remaining Spanish Gothic structures in the Western Hemisphere. It has been closed for 13 years and is deteriorating.
Courtesy Archdiocese of San Juan of Puerto Rico
One of the first planned communities in the United States, the Village of Mariemont near Cincinnati was named a National Historic Landmark in 2007.
Village of Mariemont, Ohio —
One of the first planned communities in the United States, the Village of Mariemont near Cincinnati was named a National Historic Landmark in 2007.
Steve Spooner
The planned community has been an inspiration to planners. The National Trust says a proposed transportation project would damage the village's careful design.
Village of Mariemont, Ohio —
The planned community has been an inspiration to planners. The National Trust says a proposed transportation project would damage the village's careful design.
Karen Sullivan
Designed by architects Walther Prokosch of Tippets-Abbett-McCarthy-Stratton and Emanuel Turano of Ives, Turano & Gardner, the Worldport Terminal (also known as the Pan Am terminal) at John F. Kennedy International Airport opened in 1960.
Worldport Terminal, New York —
Designed by architects Walther Prokosch of Tippets-Abbett-McCarthy-Stratton and Emanuel Turano of Ives, Turano & Gardner, the Worldport Terminal (also known as the Pan Am terminal) at John F. Kennedy International Airport opened in 1960.
Anthony Stramaglia
The Worldport Terminal (also known as the Pan Am terminal) at John F. Kennedy International Airport sits empty, waiting for a reuse plan.
Worldport Terminal, New York —
The Worldport Terminal (also known as the Pan Am terminal) at John F. Kennedy International Airport sits empty, waiting for a reuse plan.
Anthony Stramaglia
Most endangered historic places 2013

Story highlights

A military club for African-American officers is in danger of demolition, the trust says

The river abutting the first permanent English settlement in America is in jeopardy

The structures of a significant Alaska salmon canning factory need to be stabilized

CNN  — 

America’s first permanent English settlement, a military club for African-American officers, an unused airline terminal and Houston’s Astrodome have all been labeled “endangered” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The trust’s 26th annual list of America’s 11 most endangered historic places spotlights significant architectural, cultural and other structures and places at risk of destruction by human or natural forces.

“The listing on the ’11 most endangered list’ has a tremendous effect in mobilizing constituencies to find a productive way” to save these places and “usher them into their next chapter,” said Stephanie Meeks, president and CEO of the nonprofit National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Over the last 25 years, “we’ve had a 97% success rate” of saving places on the list, Meeks said. Local coalitions “get a big boost and additional support emerges from the shadows when people learn for the first time that a resource is threatened.”

Airports where architecture soars

A black officers’ club in Arizona, the spiritual center of African-American life in Maine and a general store/residence for Chinese-American laborers in California also made the list this year, a result of the trust’s outreach to minority communities “to represent diverse facets of American history,” she said.

Anyone can nominate a place for inclusion on the list, she said. Trust employees decide the final list, looking at the national significance of the structure or place, the urgency of the threat facing the place (whether by people or nature) and the possibility of a successful resolution. The existence of a coalition with a plan to save the place also helps.

View the photo gallery above to see the full list of 11 endangered places.

8 amazing outdoor music venues