Man-Made Wonders of the US Bridges, Buildings and More

Brooklyn Bridge Where: East River, Park Row, Manhattan to Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY In the early 1800s, the residents of Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan discussed the idea of a bridge to link the 2 cities together. Even before it opened in 1883, the bridge was seen as a symbol of greatness in New York. Today, the bridge is a National Historic Landmark and still has the 44th longest main span among the world's suspension.

Empire State Building Where: 350 5th Avenue, New York, NY Built during the Depression, the Empire State Building is a work of determination and pride both in New York and U.S. history. There was much talk among New Yorkers and Americans across the country about the incredible speed at which the building was being constructed, as well as weekly updates and stories about the men who built it. The Empire State Building is also a National Historic Landmark.

Golden Gate Bridge Where: Located on US Highway 101 in San Francisco, CA Millions of visitors each year flock to San Francisco for warmer weather, unique attractions and to see the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, such as the first non-building structure to receive the "Distinguished Building Award" from the Society of American Registered Architects.

Hoover Dam Where: The dam is located 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas on US Highway 93 at the Nevada-Arizona border. Despite the long years of bids, planning, site inspections and more, it took just five years to complete the mammoth structure. Today, the dam is a testament to the dedication of the country's ability to construct such a structure, especially during the years of the Depression. Hoover Dam is also a National Historic Landmark.

Mount Rushmore Where: The Black Hills of South Dakota, along Highway 244 In 1885, an American businessman named Charles Rushmore paid a visit to the Black Hills to check on some titles to properties for a mining company. It was a few years later, after winning over the hearts of the miners and prospectors, that the mountain was named in his honor. Today, Mount Rushmore sees over 2.6 million visitors per year.

Seattle Space Needle Where: 219 4th Avenue N, Seattle, WA This 605-foot-tall structure was to represent the future but quickly became a symbol for the city of Seattle. The structure is designed to withstand winds of 200 miles per hour, but earth tremors and storms have caused the structure to sway occasionally and close for a day or two. Today, the Space Needle is getting a face-lift as the city of Seattle begins to revitalize the entire centerpiece.

Washington Monument Where: 15th Street, SW, Washington, DC Similar to other memorials such as the Taj Mahal or the Great Pyramids, the Washington Monument is a celebration of 1 person's life or legacy -- in this case, the life of America's first president, George Washington. Work on the monument began in 1843, and was completed in It is 555 feet tall and contains over 36,000 blocks.

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