Crews building the Western & Atlantic Railroad from Atlanta to Chattanooga, Tenn., faced a number of natural obstacles. None, however, were as foreboding as Chetoogeta Mountain. What workers built was a 1,477-foot-long engineering phenomenon that has stood the test of time. Work on the tunnel started on July 15, 1848, and the first train rolled through the tunnel on May 9, 1850. The railroad actually started rail service between Atlanta and Chattanooga in the 1840s. The tunnel remained in service until 1928 when a new tunnel opened a few feet away to accommodate larger trains. For years, the older tunnel sat unused, and eventually fell into disrepair.
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There are different theories about this unknown soldier buried near Allatoona Pass. Perhaps, he died during the Battle of Allatoona Pass and was buried where he fell. Or, he died elsewhere, and his body was shipped back to his hometown of Allatoona. Western & Atlantic Railroad workers apparently rediscovered his grave in 1880 and placed a headstone that reads, “He died for the cause he thought was right.” The railroad relocated the grave to its current location in about 1950.
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The Upland Trail is a walking path in the heart of downtown that dates to the late 1990s. The trail currently links the Riverwalk to an overlook bridge at the north end of Valleybrook Park. The initial portion of the project extended the trail from the pedestrian overpass on Riverside Drive and College Street, alongside many of Clarksville’s historical buildings and homes, and uses a former railroad bridge near the park. The remainder of Phase II will eventually continue the trail into Valleybrook Park.
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The USS Constitution, a three-masted frigate, is the oldest commissioned warship in the world that is still afloat. The vessel, nicknamed America’s Ship of State, is one of the original six frigates of the United States Navy and served from 1797 until 1855. She served with distinction during the War of 1812. The ship’s crew are active duty U.S. Navy sailors. More than 500,000 people visit the Constitution annually. The vessel, named by George Washington, is berthed at Pier One in Charlestown Navy Yard and part of Boston’s Freedom Trail.
Waiheke Island is a short and scenic 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland’s central business district. Upon arrival, the picturesque wine-lovers’ paradise feels like a world away. Surrounded by the waters of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, Waiheke Island has been a long-time haven for free spirits, artists and Auckland families on beach holidays. In more recent times Waiheke’s relaxed joys have also earned international appreciation. Waiheke is the favorite island get-away for Aucklanders attracted by beautiful white sandy beaches and historic sites, a thriving food scene, an eclectic mix of artists, an extensive list of boutique and luxury accommodation, brazen architectural delights and some of New Zealand’s most coveted vineyards and wineries. Waiheke Island is New Zealand’s third-most populated island with a permanent population of around 9,000.
Based on content courtesy of Tourism New Zealand.
No trip to Vegas would be complete without seeing the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign. Built in 1959, the sign is one of the most popular symbols of Las Vegas. The sign, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, is located in the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard, roughly a mile from Mandalay Bay on the southern end of The Strip.
Since it opened in 1902, the Wellington Cable Car has been a symbol of the city. The roughly 2,000-foot-long cable car rises 394 feet above Windy Wellington, taking riders from the heart of New Zealand’s capital city to the Kelburn neighborhood. The cable car, which moves at a constant rate of nearly 18 percent, opened to encourage new residents to move into Kelburn, which was a new neighborhood at the time. By the 1960s and 1970s, there were concerns about the safety of the funicular. But, the cable car was rehabilitated and returned to its former glory. At the top, be sure to visit the Cable Car Museum to learn more about its history.
Weta Workshop was founded in 1987 and develops special effects for movies and television shows. It formed a digital division, Weta Digital, in 1993. The studio is perhaps best known for its work with Kiwi director Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings films. The company is named for the weta, one of the world’s largest insects. Today, visitors can tour the studio to learn more about the process and see sets in use for various productions.
The 23-foot-tall, 24-foot-wide World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock was built in 1972. The clock sits in the heart of the Swiss-themed village of Sugarcreek, Ohio. The town is sometimes called “The Little Switzerland of Ohio.” A cuckoo bird pops out of the clock every 30 minutes, and a small automated band performs Swiss polka music as a couple dances. The Guinness Book of World Records featured the clock on its cover in 1977. It moved to its current location in 2012.
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