We’re certainly blessed to have so many beautiful monuments in our country & especially since they have incredible stories to tell. Sadly, you won’t hear all of these stories on a school field trip. Here are the dark sides to some of the most iconic American monuments including death, slavery and so much more. Who knew the truth could be so insidious?
Featured Image Credit: gary718 /Depositphotos.com.
Mount Rushmore’s Rocky History
You can’t deny that Mount Rushmore is rather awe-inspiring with those giant presidential faces. However, it was carved into the Black Hills and these are sacred to the Lakota Sioux. The land was taken from them after the US government broke a treaty & it caused all kinds of controversies. The site’s history is just as rocky as the mountains themselves.
The Washington Monument’s Patchwork Look
You might’ve noticed how the Washington Monument kinda changes color partway up and that’s because it took forever to build. It took about 40 years, with a few breaks in between due to politics & money troubles. Oh, and the Civil War! As such, the Monument is a clear reminder of America’s ups and downs.
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The Statue of Liberty’s Hidden Chains
Everyone has seen the Statue of Liberty in pictures or real life but not everybody knows about the chains at her feet. The broken shackles symbolize freedom & the end of slavery. Over time, though, the message became overshadowed by the general ideas of liberty that we’ve come to know the statue for.
The Alamo’s Story Isn’t So Simple
If you’re from Texas, then you’ll certainly remember the Alamo – yet the story we often hear is rather simplified. The truth is that the Texas Revolution was far more complex than most people realize with issues including slavery. Many were fighting to preserve slavery – which was outlawed in Mexico. History is rarely as clear-cut as it seems—and the Alamo is proof of that.
The Golden Gate Bridge’s Sad Side
The Golden Gate Bridge is easily one of the most stunning monuments in the world. Unfortunately, it’s also a place where many people have gone to end their lives. The government has made efforts to prevent these suicides but these don’t erase the fact this beautiful landmark has a truly dark side.
The Capitol’s Statue of Freedom Irony
The Statue of Freedom sits on top of the U.S. Capitol dome and is meant to symbolize America’s freedom. Ironically, though, it was partly made by slaves who had no choice in the matter. It’s now a symbol of freedom as well as the fact that things weren’t always so equal for everyone in America.
The White House and Its Building Blocks
Similarly, enslaved African American people were also forced to build the White House, which is the President’s home. It’s just one of many monuments that slaves created. Sadly, they often don’t get enough recognition for their efforts in building America & some of our most famous monuments.
Ellis Island’s Forgotten Hospital
These days, Ellis Island symbolizes new beginnings but you may not realize that there’s an abandoned hospital complex there. It once treated thousands of immigrants—some of whom never made it out. As much as the Island reminds us of how much immigrants contributed to our nation, it also shows us the sacrifices that some people had to make.
Hoover Dam’s Hidden Costs
Building the Hoover Dam was certainly a monumental achievement although it came at a high cost. Officially, 96 workers died during construction due to problems like drowning and mechanical accidents. However, the real number might be even higher—potentially around 138. None of these people were buried at the Dam, though.
The National Mall’s Construction Secret
The National Mall is a place of freedom & democracy yet slaves also built part of it too. That’s rather ironic, especially since we use this place to celebrate civil rights. Of course, that’s not to say that the monument is any less important. It’s just that we can’t ignore this darker side of its history.
Empire State Building’s Construction Sacrifices
The Empire State Building shot up to the sky in record time but it sadly came at a cost. At least five workers died during its construction, although some sources claim it could be as high as 27. These people were killed during slip-and-fall incidents as well as by equipment accidentally hitting them.
Jamestown’s Dark Early Days
As America’s first permanent English settlement, it’s no surprise that Jamestown is so famous. Yet it has some skeletons in its closet—literally. Archaeologists have discovered graves of early settlers that reveal the harsh conditions at the time, including evidence of cannibalism. Life wasn’t easy for them.
The Central Park’s Forgotten Village
Before Central Park became what it is today, an African American community known as Seneca Village used to live there. But to create the park in the 1850s, the city used eminent domain to remove the residents & demolish the village. Most people don’t realize they’re walking through the remains of a forgotten community as they go through the park.
The Mississippi River’s Tragic Steamboat Disaster
The Mississippi River was the site of one of the worst maritime disasters in U.S. history. The Sultana, a steamboat, exploded in 1865 & killed an estimated 1,800 of its 2,400 passengers. Many of these people were Union soldiers returning home from the Civil War. Sadly, President Lincoln’s assassination and the end of the Civil War overshadowed most of the tragedy.
Niagara Falls’ Daredevil Past
Over the years, Niagara Falls became a popular place for daredevils who tried to go over the falls in barrels or tightrope walk across it. While these stunts were often successful, they were incredibly dangerous. And not all attempts ended well. Even as recently as 2017, Kirk Jones died after attempting to go over the Falls in a plastic ball.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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