Hallsands, UK
Hallsands was a popular fishing village in the 18th and 19th centuries, inhabited by a steady number of local fishermen and their families, and those that came through its interesting location. But like too many small seaside towns, the close proximity to the ocean meant it was only a matter of time before it disappeared to sea.
In 1917, that’s just what happened when high tides combined with strong winds destroyed the town and left it mostly uninhabitable. The town is a popular theme in music and entertainment and has appeared in several songs and films, including 1964’s The System.
Plymouth, Montserrat
Plymouth is the only ghost town in the world that also serves as a capital (of the island Montserrat.) The town’s residents were forced to evacuate in the mid-1990s when a series of volcanic eruptions in the area threatened their lives.
A few months later, they were allowed back when officials thought the danger had passed. But the Soufrière Hills Volcano wasn’t done spitting up just yet. A 1997 eruption killed 19 people and buried 80% of the town in ash. The southern end of the island is still labeled an exclusion zone, due to the unstable volcano.
McAllister Hotel, Miami
The McAllister hotel was built in 1917, and then a 10-story building stood proud as the tallest in Miami for several years. The iconic piece of architecture was also the city’s first high-rise hotel. It became such a popular attraction for tourists that they frequently ran out of towels to accommodate all of the guests.
But by the late 1920s, leaders of the city pushed for all oceanfront property to be removed to make way for the park, which was built in the ’30s. Their fortune may have dwindled, but the building remained until 1988 when it was demolished to make space for 50 Biscayne, which now stands on that corner.
Battersea Fun Fair, London
The Battersea Fun Fair was an addition made to Battersea Park, a 200-acre area of London. It was a leisurely area complete with The Festival Gardens, which consisted of a Tree-Walk and plenty of fountains, alongside a water garden, and a football stadium that hosted games throughout the 1860s.
The Fun Fair was the portion of the ride of the park that included The Big Dipper rollercoaster, which killed 5 children in a 1972 accident and injured 17 more. What is arguably the worst accident in amusement park history caused a decline in attendance and eventually, in 1974, they completely shut down.
Coco Palms Resort, Kauai, Hawaii
The Coco Palms was at one point one of the most sought-after stays in Hawaii. Located in Wailuā, it is apparently located on the ground that belongs to ancient Hawaiian royalty. The first hotel on site started operating there in the 1950s, but it didn’t become very popular until 1953 when it was being run by Island Holidays Limited.
People used to come from all over to get married on the site and enjoy the tropical grounds. But in 1992, the area was hit by Hurricane Iniki and they were forced to shut their doors.