7 Utterly "Lost" Cities of America

4 years ago Travel

By new Environmental Graffiti Artist Brad Handley

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While many might believe the term “lost” might only refer to misplaced items and confusing TV dramas, the cities in this article stretch the definition far beyond what Merriam-Webster ever considered. Some are lost to politics, others to education, and still other cities are just plain lost.

7. Roanoke Colony, NC

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Why is it lost?

Between 1585 and 1587, Sir Walter Raleigh attempted to establish the first English colony in the New World and failed miserably. War with Spain prevented resupply from England for three years. When people finally got the brilliant idea to go check on them, everyone had vanished. Thank you government!

Can it be found?

Many theories about the fate of the people of Roanoke exist. Some believe that they were massacred by natives, others believe they joined other colonies. Currently, DNA tests are being done on local residents to find possible descendants.

Should you care?

Not really, unless you trust your government to ensure your safety.

6. Provo, Utah

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Why is it lost?

The Bay Area Center for Voting Research ranked Provo as the most Conservative City in America. Seeing as how conservatives can be blamed for the widespread denial of global warming (read: the biggest threat to human beings second only to bears) I believe the lost title is prudent. For additional proof of lost status the Osmond family was born, bred and still inhabit and terrify this fantastic little town.

Can it be found?

Perhaps, but not likely. Donny Osmond is a lost cause.

Should you care?

Most definitely. Conservative parties only deny the existence of a global catastrophe because it threatens fiscal bottom lines. Someone needs to explain to them the negative effects of not having actual people around to buy their products and services.

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5. Clearwater, Florida

Why is it lost?

One word, many connotations: Scientology. The town of Clearwater is host to Scientology headquarters and the future home of the “Super Power Building,” a whacked out $45 million dollar, 170,000 square foot building that is the terrestrial equivalent to the Death Star.

Super Power Building in Clearwater, FloridaPhoto:

Can it be found?

There are those in Clearwater who oppose the Scientology Empire as demonstrated by a 1997 protest. However, with the recent news that the beloved Will Smith might be joining the ranks of the previously beloved John Travolta and the bat-shit crazy Tom Cruise, the dark side will quickly become undeniable to Clearwater citizens.

Should you care?

Only if they begin to employ storm troopers and/or they take away my antidepressants.

4. Sin City

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Someone borrowed my DVD and I forgot who.

3. Fort Wayne, Indiana

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Why is it lost?

Men's Health Magazine rated Fort Wayne as the dumbest city in the United States. While I am unsure of the criteria used by Men's Health, I assume that it has something to do with the name of their hockey team, the Fort Wayne “Komets.” Yes, that's comets with a K.

Can it be found?

While the phrase “US intelligence” is quite the international oxymoron, I do believe that Fort Wayne and similar cities can one day become significantly less dumb and perhaps even reach the sub par standards of the rest of the country.

Should you care?

Probably not. At the end of the day, Fort Wayne residents can still claim that they are all smarter than their president... whom they voted for in 2000 and 2004.

2. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Why is it lost?

Congratulations are in order. In three short years, Pittsburgh went from the number four most polluted city in America to the number one spot, replacing Los I-don't-trust-air-I-can't-see Angeles. Wow Pittsburgh, you really outdid yourself.

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Can it be found?

Let's hope so.

Should you care?

Yes. One-hundred percent yes. With the United States' refusal to sign the Kyoto Protocol, the rest of the world and the other Kyoto signers feel no obligation to adhere to the protocol standards. Who can blame them? The US and China are by far the most polluting countries, so there really is no motivation for the rest of the world to follow suit. Until the United States government acknowledges the problems facing the planet and does something about it, it is up to individuals and city officials to make what small contributions they can. Pittsburgh, being the worst offender, has a unique opportunity to set an example and clean up their act. They could perhaps inspire other cities to do the same and make a real difference.

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1. Washington DC

I'm really not even going to touch this one. Editors, please fill the following space with expletives and the names of random politicians.

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Sources 1, 2

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Comments

Old Comments

augustine says

Jun 12th, 2008 at 12am
This read like a bad cracked.com article, whoever wrote this should probably quit blogging and keep their day job, and if blogging is your day job, you should probably be worried about keeping it.

The Gomer says

Jun 12th, 2008 at 12am
This really gets my thetans all stirred up inside. Tidbits on lots of places I didn't think about and then I get to the part where there's news of the Fresh Prince rocking the house with Xenu and cutting an intergalactic record and Donnie Osmand might host the special in primetime?! Maybe I just read too fast through everything... BTW, I don't think Washington, D.C. is lost anymore, I'm pretty sure Nick Cage found it in one of those National Treasure movies.

Anon612 says

Jun 11th, 2008 at 12am
"The only “active campaign” in Clearwater is by 28 Anonymous supporters (by last month’s count) in Halloween drag. The Anons are despised by shop owners and city government and most are there to “party” anyway."? Excuse me? I have been to every single Anonymous protest in Clearwater. At our VERY LOWEST we were still 100 people. The only shopkeepers that despise us are Scientologists -- get a link to the petition, I dare you; we've already proven that. And city government has REPEATEDLY defended us, as have the cops. LURK MOAR. And Clearwater is by no means lost. Perhaps instead of bawwwing over how bad it is, you should do something to FIX it, Brad. The rest of us are.

Tom says

Jun 11th, 2008 at 12am
Instead of Provo, you could have listed Promontory, Utah as a lost city. This is teh spot where the transcontinental railroad was completed and teh Golden Spike driven. The town was briefly a sin city of railroad workers, gamblers and hookers. The town faded as the West settled, then the railroad built a causeway across Great Salt Lake. The railroad past Promontory then becamse a secondary route, and was torn up in World War II for the steel that was needed.

pam says

Jun 11th, 2008 at 12am
Yes, you should go and do some home work: searching the web will bring you to several articles about Donny Osmond in which he explains his worries about global warming and how he has changed his car, and made his house as energy efficient as possible. And Crazy Horses , written by the Osmonds in 1972, is about pollution: the first eco-song!

Tom says

Jun 11th, 2008 at 12am
I forgot another one: Rosewood, Florida in Levy County. It was a prosperous littkle town for sawmill workers harvesting cedar. But area whites got so bent out of shape by black people being able to have a nice middle-class life there ("Who do they think they are puttin' on airs like that?") that Klansmmen and assorted thugs burned the town on New Year's Day, 1923, killing an undetermined number of people. The town was never rebuilt.

John Burkhart says

Jun 11th, 2008 at 12am
Lolwut? Protest in 1997? Try again.

What about is scientology says

Jun 11th, 2008 at 12am
lol Utah

Sam says

Jun 11th, 2008 at 12am
You forgot New Orleans. Flooded three years ago and 70% of the city hasn't been rebuilt/repaired. Crime rate is back to pre-hurricane numbers, even though 30% of the populace never moved back in.

I. N. Credulous says

Jun 11th, 2008 at 12am
I'm sorry, I'm a little confused. Did you actually TRY to put a little thought and effort into this, or did you just regurgitate a steaming, congealed mass of extreme leftist propaganda, pick out the biggest chunks and hurl them at a blog page? I'm guessing the latter. LURK MOAR.