National Monuments are beautiful areas of the United States that have been established by Presidents in order to preserve a particular landscape for both its beauty, historical significance, or because of geography and significance to a particular culture.
Most recently, it was announced President Obama would be making 500,000 acres of land in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks region of New Mexico a national monument.
In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt created the first national monument, which is Devils tower in Northeast Wyoming.
There are at least 108 national monuments all across the United States and includes areas such as the Grand Canyon, volcanoes, and areas associated with many historical figures. We’re taking a look at some of the top national monuments in the United States. Information about these monuments and others can be found at the National Park Service website.
With so many beautiful and historical places to choose from, it’s hard to narrow it down, but every monument holds a place in history for the residents who make a journey to visit. Which national monument is your favorite?
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10. Devils Tower
The first ever national monument, Devils Tower is a big rock that protrudes from the grassland surrounding it. The site is has been a place of worship for Plains tribes and people who visit are often curious of how this particular geologic formation came to be. Geologists have tried to figure out process through which the rock was formed, even though they agree that igneous material was responsible for the formation.
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9. African Burial Ground
Between the 1690s until 1794, an area of Lower Manhattan was used as a burial ground for both free Africans and African slaves. Because of the development of buildings and through the land being filled, this area was forgotten until 1991, when a Federal office building was going to be constructed. This National Monument serves as a memorial dedicated to Africans both during New York’s early years, as well as descendents. It became a national monument in 2006 under President George W. Bush.
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8. President Lincoln’s Cottage and Soldiers’ Home
Located in Washington, D.C., this was also known as The Old Soldier’s Home and was used as a retreat for presidents. He lived here when he finished the Emancipation Proclamation, and it is reported that he visited the home the day before he was assassinated. It became a national monument in 2000. Today, the cottage and over buildings serves as a retirement home for individuals enlisted in the Army and Air Force, as well as soldiers who are disabled.
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7. Fort Henry
Fort Henry was the inspiration behind Francis Scott Key’s “Star Spangled Banner” during the War of 1812. As residents of Baltimore got ready for an attack they believed would come from the British, they decided a huge flag needed to fly over Fort McHenry so the British would be able to see it. Called the Garrison Flag, it was 30 feet high and 42 feet long and was the flag Key’s saw in 1814. Today, the flag resides at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History. Fort McHenry became a national monument in 1933.
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6. George Washington Birthplace
Another national monument is a tribute to George Washington, first president of the United States. Located in Virginia, it is the birthplace of Washington and it became a National Park in 1932. A memorial house was built near a structure, which was later to be determined to be the actual home where Washington and his family lived. Today, there is an outline of the spot showing how close the home was to the memorial house.
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5. Grand Canyon-Parashant
This area of the Grand Canyon is located near the Colorado Plateau, Mojave Desert, and Great Basin. It is a suitable area for camping and hiking to explore the beautiful environment of this Arizona desert landscape. The video below shows the canyon with the camera person describing the area.
[new page= Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Mountain]
4. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Mount St. Helens is a volcano most famous for its eruption on May 18, 1980. What started off as an avalanche quickly became an eruption as pressurized gases inside the volcano were released. In 1982, this area was made a national monument for research and educational experiences. The landscape is still recovering from the eruption as the environment goes through natural changes in order to recover from the 1980 explosion.
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3. Muir Woods
Located in California, Muir Woods became a national monument in 1908 and was named after conservationist John Muir. These woods hold beautiful redwood trees and trails for hiking so people can enjoy the beautiful displays of nature.
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2. Rainbow Bridge
Located in Utah, Rainbow Bridge is considered to be one of the largest natural bridges in the world. It is considered to be sacred by American Indian tribes. While the bridge was mostly known by many Indian tribes centuries ago, it wasn’t until 1909 when the outside world discovered its existence. Made up of sandstone, the bridge was made a national monument in 1910. It is 290 feet high and the arch is 33 feet wide. Because of the religious and spiritual significance of the bridge to local tribes, visitors are asked to be respectful of the monument when visiting.
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1. Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is America’s symbol of freedom. It was a gift to America from France and was dedicated in 1886. It didn’t become a national monument until 1924. For immigrants coming to America, Liberty represented a welcoming to the land of dreams.