It’s History

In 1969, engineers performed the unprecedented act of turning off Niagara Falls, leaving the American Falls as a dry cliff face for several months. This episode explores the surprising findings uncovered during this period, including thousands of coins and unsettling discoveries, as well as how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managed to halt one of the world's most powerful waterfalls. It examines the reasons behind this decision, including concerns about erosion and the pressures of tourism, revealing the complex relationship humans have with natural wonders.

#NiagaraFalls #Engineering #History

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Delve into the history of Rikers Island, the notorious jail complex in New York City. This video explores the origins of Rikers Island as a jail, its growth from a small facility to an overcrowded complex, and the dark issues it faces, including trash heap fires, rat infestations, and the impact on surrounding communities, especially Queens.

The video highlights heroic acts, such as inmates saving plane crash victims, along with the overpopulation issues in the 1970s and the challenges faced in the 1980s. We also uncover the story of New York’s jail boat and examine the lasting effects of Rikers Island on the community and why it is considered the worst jail in America.

#RikersIsland #PrisonReform #CriminalJustice #UrbanDecay #ITSHISTORY

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Every day, thousands of drivers cross the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge without realizing they are passing over the abandoned Nimitz House on Yerba Buena Island. This residence was once home to Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, the naval commander of the United States Pacific Fleet during World War II.

In this episode, we explore the history of Yerba Buena Island, the mansion's rise and decay, and its connections to military strategy, San Francisco history, Cold War symbolism, and preservation efforts.

#SanFrancisco #WorldWar2 #HistoryDocumentary

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Perched along the cliffs just south of San Francisco, Pacifica, California, was built on a dream of ocean views and quiet living. However, this dream conceals a dangerous reality. Developers initially ignored geological warnings, constructing neighborhoods on unstable marine terraces and eroding bluffs.

Over decades, powerful storms, landslides, earthquakes, and relentless coastal erosion have made Pacifica one of the most precarious towns in America. Homes have fallen into the ocean, entire neighborhoods have been condemned, and the city faces an ongoing battle against nature. This video explores the history of Pacifica's development and the reasons for its gradual erosion.

#Pacifica #CaliforniaHistory #CoastalErosion

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Beneath New York City lies a 7,500-mile labyrinth that processes billions of gallons of waste daily. This underground network, built over two centuries, includes forgotten tunnels, Civil War-era infrastructure, and modern engineering marvels. This episode explores New York's evolution from cholera outbreaks and “night soil” collectors to a complex wastewater system. Discover the massive interceptor tunnels, the iconic digester eggs of Newtown Creek, and the surprising journey of biosolids across America.

#NewYork #Infrastructure #History

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Across the American heartland, historic bridges line the old alignment of U.S. Route 66, many abandoned for decades and at risk of collapse. This episode explores how this iconic highway became a graveyard of failing bridges. It examines the repurposing of railroad spans in the 1920s, features engineering relics like Kansas's Rainbow Bridge and New Mexico's Rio Puerco Bridge, and discusses how early infrastructure decisions and increasing traffic demands led to the decay of Route 66's bridges. As preservationists race to save what remains, the question arises: can any of these landmarks still be rescued?

#Route66 #AmericanHistory #Infrastructure

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Cabrini-Green, once a nationwide symbol of crime and urban decay, has seen gradual demolition over the past two decades. Originally home to 15,000 residents, the complex has transitioned into new retail and upscale condos, dispersing the African American community throughout the city. The area, historically known as "Swede Town," "Little Sicily," and later "Little Hell," was notorious in the early twentieth century for poverty and deteriorating buildings.

**Chapters:**

00:00 The public housing unit infamous for crime

02:31 Immigrants that inhabited Goose Island

03:59 Little Hell is bulldozed to make room for Cabrini-Green

05:20 The opening of Cabrini-Green

06:37 The homes targeted veterans of WWII

07:40 CHA assigning tenants to housing based upon race

08:29 The Gautreaux v. Chicago Housing Authority suit

10:09 Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne moved into Cabrini-Green

10:28 Marion Stamps organized strikes and protests

11:56 Chaotic New Year's Eve celebrations

12:56 Chicago police patrolman were shot and killed

13:45 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

15:53 The legacy of Cabrini-Green in pop culture

16:42 Closing: Problems with public housing

#UrbanDecay #CabriniGreen #HousingHistory #PublicHousing

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Coal breakers were essential machines in coal mines, responsible for breaking large chunks of coal into smaller pieces. They were the heart of the operation, despite being loud and dirty, requiring significant maintenance. Working in coal breakers was hazardous, making them a difficult workplace.

#CoalMining #CoalBreakers #MiningHistory

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The Staten Island Boat Graveyard, located at 2453 Arthur Kill Road in Rossville, has roots dating back to the 1930s and has been known as the Witte Marine Scrap Yard and Arthur Kill Boat Yard. Now referred to as the Donjon Iron and Metal Scrap Processing Facility, it was once home to approximately 400 vessels, though that number has dwindled to an estimated 25 to 40 decaying ships. This scrapyard features a diverse collection of obsolete steam tugs, ferries, car floats, and other crafts, each with a rich history.

In this video, we explore:

- The history of shipbreaking yards (01:47)

- The founder of the Staten Island Boat Graveyard (02:10)

- The first African American ship crew during World War II (04:22)

- The New York City Fire Department’s Abram S. Hewitt (06:22)

- The New England Passenger Steamer and the Eldia (09:02)

- Creepy cemeteries near the Staten Island Boat Graveyard (10:12)

- Why artists, moviemakers, and marine historians are drawn to the graveyard (12:43)

- The Donjon Marine Company Incorporated (14:57)

#UrbanDecay #StatenIsland #BoatGraveyard #History

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Explore the battleship graveyard outside the Philadelphia International Airport, featuring storied vessels that once served in the United States Navy. This video highlights the fates of legendary ships, including the USS Barry, USS John F. Kennedy, and the USS New Jersey.

Chapters:

0:00 - Why does Philadelphia have a battleship graveyard?

2:01 - USS Barry

5:45 - USS John F. Kennedy

9:17 - USS Ticonderoga V (noted as scrapped in 2020)

11:44 - USS New Jersey

#BattleshipGraveyard #USSBarry #USSJohnFKennedy #USSNewJersey

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