Lodging for Black travelers in Michigan; a “castle” in Phoenix inspired by Indigenous culture of the Southwest, a Native reservation in Virginia, a Texas hotel that was a central location for anti-Mexican violence, one of the last remaining structures from a Japanese American fishing village in Los Angeles; and a Native arts center in New York are among 11 spots on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2025 list of most endangered historic places.
The privately funded nonprofit group revealed its 38th annual list of endangered sites Wednesday, illuminating threats to important national sites. The list debuted in 1988 and is considered to have encouraged the public to support more than 300 sites.
“Each site on this year’s list has inspired passionate supporters from their surrounding communities to work together to save these cherished landmarks and repurpose them for the public, now and into the future. Their leadership shows the power of preservation to create stronger communities, energized local economies, and a healthier environment for everyone,” said Carol Quillen, the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s president and CEO.
Some of these endangered sites have deep historic importance to communities of color and tell essential stories of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride. Yet without immediate action, these irreplaceable pieces of our shared history could be lost forever.
Hotel Casa Blanca (Idlewild, Mich.) – Once the crown jewel of “Black Eden,” this former haven for African American travelers during segregation hosted legends like Louis Armstrong and Aretha Franklin. After 30+ years vacant, a Black woman-led nonprofit is working to transform it into a bed-and-breakfast and heritage center, but needs $5 million to complete the vision.
Mystery Castle (Phoenix) – This whimsical 18-room structure, built by a father for his daughter using desert materials and inspired by Indigenous Southwest cultures, faces demolition without intervention. Local preservation groups are racing against time to save this unique folk art environment.
Pamunkey Indian Reservation (King William, Va.) – America’s oldest reservation, home to the Pamunkey people for 15,000+ years, is literally disappearing under rising waters. Climate change threatens to submerge this historic land, including archaeological treasures and traditional fishing and pottery sites, within 75 years.
San Juan Hotel (San Juan, Tex.) – This Mission Revival landmark in the Rio Grande Valley stands at the intersection of Mexican American and Anglo history, including the dark period of “La Matanza (The Slaughter),” about a century ago, when vigilantes and law enforcement engaged in anti-Mexican violence including massacres and lynchings. Local advocates envision transforming it from a deteriorating shell into a site for truth-telling and community pride.
Terminal Island Buildings (Los Angeles) – The last physical remnants of a thriving Japanese American fishing village whose 3,000 residents were forcibly removed and incarcerated during WWII. These two small structures face demolition for container storage despite their immense cultural significance.
The Turtle (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) – This turtle-shaped cultural center, designed by Arapaho architect Dennis Sun Rhodes based on Haudenosaunee creation stories, once celebrated Indigenous arts but has sat vacant for decades. A coalition of Indigenous and non-Indigenous supporters dreams of “reawakening” this symbol of cultural reclamation.
Other sites on the list include Cedar Key, Fla.; French Broad and Swannanoa River Corridors, Western N.C.; May Hicks Curtis House, Flagstaff, Ariz.; Oregon Caves Chateau, Cave Junction, Ore.; and The Wellington, Pine Hill, N.Y.
