Sloan, the Wanderer
@sloanwanderer.bsky.social
Just a time traveler stuck in the 21st century, trying to share random knowledge with the world.
She/Her
She/Her
In 1873, a tree was planted in Lahaina, Hawai'i as a memorial to the first American Protestant mission to the islands. Today, the tree occupies an entire city block, providing shade to residents visiting the town.
February 16, 2026 at 10:45 PM
In 1873, a tree was planted in Lahaina, Hawai'i as a memorial to the first American Protestant mission to the islands. Today, the tree occupies an entire city block, providing shade to residents visiting the town.
Following WWII, the Dutch government prohibited the sale and relocating of Dutch windmills to other countries. The residents of Holland, Michigan, however impressed upon the Dutch government their desire to pay tribute to the town's heritage.
February 13, 2026 at 12:59 PM
Following WWII, the Dutch government prohibited the sale and relocating of Dutch windmills to other countries. The residents of Holland, Michigan, however impressed upon the Dutch government their desire to pay tribute to the town's heritage.
The Smithsonian Institution has been called "America's Attic." But did you know that America's Attic has an attic inside it? Two, in fact. Both can be found in the American History Museum; one is inside the Dolls House, a 1/12th scale mansion comprising 23 rooms, donated in 1951.
February 12, 2026 at 2:28 PM
The Smithsonian Institution has been called "America's Attic." But did you know that America's Attic has an attic inside it? Two, in fact. Both can be found in the American History Museum; one is inside the Dolls House, a 1/12th scale mansion comprising 23 rooms, donated in 1951.
Standing over 80 feet tall, a monumental tower in Colorado Springs provides stunning views of the neighboring mountains. Built by Spencer Penrose as a scenic vista, when his friend and famed cowboy humorist Will Rogers died in a plane crash, Penrose wanted to do something in honor of his friend.
February 11, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Standing over 80 feet tall, a monumental tower in Colorado Springs provides stunning views of the neighboring mountains. Built by Spencer Penrose as a scenic vista, when his friend and famed cowboy humorist Will Rogers died in a plane crash, Penrose wanted to do something in honor of his friend.
Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, Colorado, are one of 36 Dark Sky Communities in the world. While that alone is uncommon, the towns stand above all other dark sky communities, literally. The towns altitude of just below 8,000 feet make the pair of towns the highest Dark Sky Communities in the world.
February 9, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, Colorado, are one of 36 Dark Sky Communities in the world. While that alone is uncommon, the towns stand above all other dark sky communities, literally. The towns altitude of just below 8,000 feet make the pair of towns the highest Dark Sky Communities in the world.
On this date in 1404, King Taejong of the Joseon dynasty rode a horse in a deer hunt. The horse stumbled, causing the king to fall. Uninjured, he looked at his hunting party and told them, "Do not tell the historians about this." Both the incident and the instruction ended up in the history.
February 9, 2026 at 12:46 AM
On this date in 1404, King Taejong of the Joseon dynasty rode a horse in a deer hunt. The horse stumbled, causing the king to fall. Uninjured, he looked at his hunting party and told them, "Do not tell the historians about this." Both the incident and the instruction ended up in the history.
Los Angeles's Terminal Island once was a Japanese-American fishing community of approximately 3,000 residents. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, though, the US took control of the land and forcibly removed the residents, most ultimately ending up at the Manzanar Relocation Site.
February 6, 2026 at 5:21 PM
Los Angeles's Terminal Island once was a Japanese-American fishing community of approximately 3,000 residents. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, though, the US took control of the land and forcibly removed the residents, most ultimately ending up at the Manzanar Relocation Site.
The San Juan Hotel has long been a landmark in San Juan, Texas. Built in 1920, it was intended to serve Anglo entrepreneurs and politicians moving into the area, during a period of anti-Mexican tensions in Texas, and is the only remaining historic structure in the community.
February 5, 2026 at 1:59 PM
The San Juan Hotel has long been a landmark in San Juan, Texas. Built in 1920, it was intended to serve Anglo entrepreneurs and politicians moving into the area, during a period of anti-Mexican tensions in Texas, and is the only remaining historic structure in the community.
Located within the Oregon Caves National Monument, the Oregon Caves Chateau has served the needs of travelers wishing to stay within the monument since 1934.
February 4, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Located within the Oregon Caves National Monument, the Oregon Caves Chateau has served the needs of travelers wishing to stay within the monument since 1934.
Mystery Castle in Phoenix Arizona was built between 1934 and 1945 by Boyce Luther Gulley without plans or permits. Ever since then, it has captivated neighbors and visitors with its unusual design, which incorporated discarded and recycled items to achieve the 18-room three-story structure.
February 3, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Mystery Castle in Phoenix Arizona was built between 1934 and 1945 by Boyce Luther Gulley without plans or permits. Ever since then, it has captivated neighbors and visitors with its unusual design, which incorporated discarded and recycled items to achieve the 18-room three-story structure.
This week, I'm highlighting endangered historic sites. Every year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation prepares a list of historic sites that are in danger of being lost, either due to damage or redevelopment.
February 2, 2026 at 1:12 PM
This week, I'm highlighting endangered historic sites. Every year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation prepares a list of historic sites that are in danger of being lost, either due to damage or redevelopment.
The Wright Brothers grew up in Dayton Ohio, but if you were to visit the lot where they grew up, all but the front porch is gone. Where is their home? Dearborn, Michigan.
January 30, 2026 at 3:13 PM
The Wright Brothers grew up in Dayton Ohio, but if you were to visit the lot where they grew up, all but the front porch is gone. Where is their home? Dearborn, Michigan.
Built in 1934, the Cape Kumukahi lighthouse is unimpressive compared to the classic lighthouses of the US. The skeletal steel 125' tall light looks like an antenna with a large, automated light. However, the light is a survivor, having had three eruptions in its history affect the land around it.
January 29, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Built in 1934, the Cape Kumukahi lighthouse is unimpressive compared to the classic lighthouses of the US. The skeletal steel 125' tall light looks like an antenna with a large, automated light. However, the light is a survivor, having had three eruptions in its history affect the land around it.
Michael Garman had a dilemma. The artist made incredibly detailed miniature sculptures of people, but hated selling his creations. In 1975, he struck on a way of keeping his creations together: Magic Town.
January 28, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Michael Garman had a dilemma. The artist made incredibly detailed miniature sculptures of people, but hated selling his creations. In 1975, he struck on a way of keeping his creations together: Magic Town.
Frank Lloyd Wright designed a gas station in 1927 for Buffalo NY that wasn't built during his life, in part due to the royalties Wright demanded. In 1958, Wright sold another gas station design to R. W. Lindholm, knowing that Lindholm was in the petroleum business, and it was built in Cloquet, MN.
January 27, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Frank Lloyd Wright designed a gas station in 1927 for Buffalo NY that wasn't built during his life, in part due to the royalties Wright demanded. In 1958, Wright sold another gas station design to R. W. Lindholm, knowing that Lindholm was in the petroleum business, and it was built in Cloquet, MN.
In 1959, Val and Kathleen Henning purchased an abandoned Pure Oil gas station and converted the building into a fast-food restaurant. Sixty-six years later, Val's Rapidserve continues to offer up hamburgers, fries, and milkshakes from their converted gas station in St. Cloud. #Minnesota #FastFood
January 26, 2026 at 4:10 PM
In 1959, Val and Kathleen Henning purchased an abandoned Pure Oil gas station and converted the building into a fast-food restaurant. Sixty-six years later, Val's Rapidserve continues to offer up hamburgers, fries, and milkshakes from their converted gas station in St. Cloud. #Minnesota #FastFood
Many American children know the song "Home on the Range," but don't know its origins. The original Home on the Range that inspired the song is a small cabin in Smith County, Kansas. There, Dr. Brewster Higley VI wrote his poem, "My Western Home" and published it to the county newspaper in 1874.
January 23, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Many American children know the song "Home on the Range," but don't know its origins. The original Home on the Range that inspired the song is a small cabin in Smith County, Kansas. There, Dr. Brewster Higley VI wrote his poem, "My Western Home" and published it to the county newspaper in 1874.
From 1964 through 1965, the World's Fair welcomed guests to visit the various venues and pavilions. When the fair ended, most of the buildings were demolished, but part of the Wisconsin pavilion made its way home.
January 22, 2026 at 1:49 PM
From 1964 through 1965, the World's Fair welcomed guests to visit the various venues and pavilions. When the fair ended, most of the buildings were demolished, but part of the Wisconsin pavilion made its way home.
For hundreds of years, ocean currents have dropped marine debris at Kamilo Beach on the south shore of Big Island, Hawai'i. Formerly, logs and animal carcasses would wash ashore here, but with the rise of plastics in the oceans, micro- and macro-plastics are now turning up.
January 21, 2026 at 1:50 PM
For hundreds of years, ocean currents have dropped marine debris at Kamilo Beach on the south shore of Big Island, Hawai'i. Formerly, logs and animal carcasses would wash ashore here, but with the rise of plastics in the oceans, micro- and macro-plastics are now turning up.
Seeking a way to increase traffic through his hometown, Gary Greff began building large art pieces along ND-21 outside of Regent, North Dakota. By 2006, he had installed several large sculptures along 32 miles of the highway, which has increased tourism to the small town. #NorthDakota #HighwayArt
January 20, 2026 at 1:15 PM
Seeking a way to increase traffic through his hometown, Gary Greff began building large art pieces along ND-21 outside of Regent, North Dakota. By 2006, he had installed several large sculptures along 32 miles of the highway, which has increased tourism to the small town. #NorthDakota #HighwayArt
From its completion in 1933 until 2013, the Department of Commerce Building in DC held the National Aquarium. Unrelated to the Baltimore institution of the same name, the aquarium was first established by the US Commission of Fish and Fisheries in 1878.
January 19, 2026 at 2:39 PM
From its completion in 1933 until 2013, the Department of Commerce Building in DC held the National Aquarium. Unrelated to the Baltimore institution of the same name, the aquarium was first established by the US Commission of Fish and Fisheries in 1878.
When can a bridge tell the time? When it's a sundial! In Redding, California, the cantilevered support of a pedestrian bridge over the Sacramento River forms the gnomon of a giant sundial, 217' (66m) tall.
January 16, 2026 at 3:05 PM
When can a bridge tell the time? When it's a sundial! In Redding, California, the cantilevered support of a pedestrian bridge over the Sacramento River forms the gnomon of a giant sundial, 217' (66m) tall.
Built in the 1880s, the Northern Pacific Railway Bridge in Bismarck, North Dakota has carried passenger and freight trains through from the city to points west. Now reaching the end of its useful life as a train bridge, a new span is being constructed just upriver from the existing bridge.
January 15, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Built in the 1880s, the Northern Pacific Railway Bridge in Bismarck, North Dakota has carried passenger and freight trains through from the city to points west. Now reaching the end of its useful life as a train bridge, a new span is being constructed just upriver from the existing bridge.
On to non-covered bridges: when are the remains of a bridge a landmark? In the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, piers from the Manchester Bridge, Point Bridge, and Wabash Bridge are all listed in the Pittsburgh Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks.
January 14, 2026 at 1:35 PM
On to non-covered bridges: when are the remains of a bridge a landmark? In the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, piers from the Manchester Bridge, Point Bridge, and Wabash Bridge are all listed in the Pittsburgh Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks.
From one of the last surviving cambered covered bridge to the longest covered bridge: Medora, Indiana's covered bridge is the longest historic covered bridge in the US, at 431'10" (131.62m) long. Built in 1875, the structure carried vehicles until 1972 when it became a pedestrian-only bridge.
January 13, 2026 at 1:23 PM
From one of the last surviving cambered covered bridge to the longest covered bridge: Medora, Indiana's covered bridge is the longest historic covered bridge in the US, at 431'10" (131.62m) long. Built in 1875, the structure carried vehicles until 1972 when it became a pedestrian-only bridge.