Abandoned Structures and America’s Past

Abandoned structures across the US hold secrets of America’s past, with places like a canyon in Los Angeles and a seaside city concealing remnants of the country’s history and maritime culture that contributed to its rise as a global superpower.

Amboy: A Desert Town’s History and Restoration

Amboy, a desert town, appears desolate with harsh conditions, but despite many buildings being in ruins, some show signs of life. The town was bought by Albert Okura in 2005, who is restoring it, putting Amboy back on the map. Amboy’s fame is rooted in its history, which dates back to 1883 when the town was established as a water and repair stop for steam trains.

• The town’s original layout included a schoolhouse, store, and housing for railroad workers.
• Its existence is now marked by remnants such as salt cedar trees planted by homesteaders.

The town of Amboy’s future changed with the invention of the automobile, which became more affordable with the Ford Model T in 1908. As roads developed, including the National Old Trails Road in 1912, Amboy was impacted, shifting its focus from the railroad to the road, and its love affair with automobiles was just beginning.

Route 66 and Amboy’s Heyday

The US numbered highway system, established in 1926, led to the creation of Route 66, which passed through Amboy. A local mechanic, Roy, and his wife, a cook, built a gas station, cafe, and motel in 1938, capitalizing on the increasing traffic and creating a thriving business that catered to travelers’ needs for rest, food, and fuel.

• Route 66 was a lifeline for people escaping the Dust Bowl during the 1930s, with approximately 2.5 million people migrating from affected states.
• Amboy flourished with amenities like gas stations, cafes, and a post office, and experienced its heyday after World War II when returning soldiers had expendable money to travel.

Decline and Resurgence

The opening of a new Interstate near Amboy led to the decline of businesses along Route 66, causing many to close. However, in recent years, Amboy has experienced a resurgence driven by nostalgia, with the rise of the internet helping to rediscover Route 66, making it a tourist destination and part of Americana, attracting visitors from around the world.

A man bought the town of Amboy and restored its gas station, including 1970s pumps, and has plans to renovate other buildings, aiming to revive the town, which has become a symbol of the Route 66 restoration movement, earning the slogan “the ghost town that ain’t dead yet.”

Murphy Ranch: A Self-Sustaining Utopia

A wooded area in Los Angeles features steep hills, trees, and an unexpected sight of many stairs, sparking curiosity about its purpose. Researcher Hadley MIRS has been investigating the rumors for 20 years, uncovering clues such as industrialized tanks and a pump house, hinting at a large-scale complex with its own fuel and water supply, and minimal dependence on the outside world.

Murphy Ranch, built in the 1930s, is a self-sustaining utopia with infrastructure including water pipes, a tank, and a garden, allowing its inhabitants to be totally insular and take care of themselves. The project was a significant investment, with around $4 million spent, but the remaining ruins only tell part of the story, as the completed project would have been much more extensive.

Nazi Connections and the Mystery of Murphy Ranch

A mansion project was never finished, but existing blueprints reveal a grand and opulent design, suggesting it was intended for a head of state or government, with some speculating it was meant to be a Nazi headquarters on the west coast. An affidavit from Dr. Vincent Shone in 1975 shed light on the mystery, which originated from rumors about the property and a story told by the owners, involving a couple named Norman and Winona Stevens.

Norman and Winona Stevens, owners of a property, were rumored to have a connection to Nazism due to their relationship with a mysterious and elusive character named Schmidt. Schmidt convinced them to build a self-sustaining, utopian colony based on National Socialist ideas, as he claimed America was about to collapse and Hitler would overthrow the country, with the goal of creating a Nazi stronghold in the area.

Detroit’s Troubled Past: The Story of Belle Isle Zoo

The city of Detroit has a mysterious and troubled past, with rumors and unlinked facts surrounding the island of Belle Isle, where a dilapidated collection of structures and old rusting cages are walled off from the rest of the island, hinting at a dark history and a significant role in one of Detroit’s most notorious corruption scandals.

A former Detroit landmark has fallen into disrepair, leaving many upset about its decline, with some recalling fond memories of working there, as its story begins almost 100 years earlier when Detroit was emerging as a prominent industrial city.

The Rise and Fall of Belle Isle Zoo

The Bell Isle Zoo in Detroit provided entertainment for factory workers and their families who couldn’t afford to travel far, offering a chance to see exotic creatures. The zoo thrived as Detroit’s economy grew, with over 150 animals by 1909, but declined as the city’s industry and population dwindled in the second half of the century.

• The zoo was renovated in the 1980s with an African theme, called Safari Land, and became a big hit with the public.
• A new area was added, featuring an elevated boardwalk with animals fenced in at ground level.

The zoo’s fortunes declined due to lack of funding, leading to inadequate animal care and a decrease in the number of animals on display. The director, Kadija, was removed from her post in 1994 and the zoo eventually closed 8 years later.

Corruption and the Demise of Belle Isle Zoo

Detroiters were excited when Mayor Kilpatrick pledged to support the reopening of the zoo, but instead, he used the funds to build a new facility on the other side of the island, leaving many feeling duped and upset. This broken promise was just the beginning, as Kilpatrick was soon exposed for his involvement in a massive corruption scandal, which ultimately led to his conviction on 24 federal corruption charges in 2013.

Charleston’s Redemption and Role in Shaping Modern America

Two historic buildings in Charleston tell the story of the city’s redemption and its role in shaping Modern America. A local resident, Don Compana, shares his perspective on one of the buildings, which was designed to inspire appreciation for beauty and was built with aesthetic and functional purposes in mind.

Charleston was left in ruins by the Union Army after the conflict, with civilian suffering lasting for decades. However, in 1901, Congress gave the city a second chance by constructing the Charleston Navy Yard, which transformed the US Navy and brought economic prosperity to the city, creating thousands of jobs and attracting workers from all over the country.

The Charleston Navy Yard and Hospital

The US Navy transitioned from wooden to steel ships during World War I, with Charleston playing a key role in refitting destroyers and smaller vessels, contributing to the country’s maritime culture and defense capabilities. The city also addressed the need for more medical capacity by building a new 33-acre Navy hospital district to treat injured personnel.

The government anticipated a war and potential casualties, so a new facility, the Charleston Navy hospital, was prepared with an x-ray department, operating theater, and recreational courtyard. By 1941, it treated up to 4,000 wounded soldiers monthly, with 75,000 casualties coming through, and used pioneering methods to care for patients, with a revolutionary design that enabled different wards to treat specific injuries.

A Legacy of Care and Innovation

The Navy hospital’s model of separating patients into wards became the basis of modern clinical care after World War II, and the hospital continued to care for wounded veterans for nearly three decades until its closure in 1996, leaving a legacy that should be remembered and honored.

Key Vocabulary

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Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘a place or system where people live and work together, often with shared resources and goals’?

A) Utopia
B) Desolate
C) Maritime
D) Americana

2. What does ‘insular’ mean in the context of Murphy Ranch being self-sustaining?

A) Completely dependent on the outside world
B) Having a lot of interaction with neighboring communities
C) Able to take care of itself with minimal dependence on others
D) Requiring constant external support

3. Which term refers to ‘a system of roads and highways, especially one that is planned and developed by a government’?

A) Maritime culture
B) Highway system
C) Railroad network
D) National Trails Road

4. What is meant by ‘expendable money’ in the context of travelers on Route 66 after World War II?

A) Money that is essential for survival
B) Money that is saved for emergencies only
C) Money that can be spent freely on travel and leisure
D) Money that is borrowed from others

5. Which word means ‘a person who is in charge of a zoo or other place where animals are kept’?

A) Director
B) Zookeeper
C) Veterinarian
D) Conservationist

Answer Key:

1. A
2. C
3. B
4. C
5. A

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: The Use of the Past Perfect Tense

Grammar Quiz:

1. By the time the US numbered highway system was established, Route 66 ____________________ through Amboy.

• was passing
• had passed
• had been passing
• passed

2. The Charleston Navy Yard ____________________ thousands of jobs by the time the city was rebuilt after the conflict.

• had created
• was creating
• created
• has created

3. Before the invention of the automobile, Amboy ____________________ as a water and repair stop for steam trains.

• had been established
• was established
• established
• has been established

4. By 1941, the Charleston Navy hospital ____________________ up to 4,000 wounded soldiers monthly.

• had treated
• was treating
• treated
• has treated

5. The zoo’s fortunes ____________________ due to lack of funding by the time it closed in 2002.

• had declined
• were declining
• declined
• have declined

Answer Key:

1. had been passing

2. had created

3. had been established

4. was treating

5. had declined