Thanks to its large size, the U.S. is full of history, including many sacred places. These are spots everyone should try to visit to learn more about their country. Here are 17 of the most sacred places across the U.S. and their stories.
The Salt Lake Temple, Utah
It took over 40 years for this temple to be built, and it was finished in 1893. The reason for this was that it was built from quartz monzonite, which had to be dragged from the nearby mountains. The temple is especially significant for Mormon history as it’s a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Chapel in the Hills, South Dakota
This chapel is an exact replica of the Borgund Stave Church in Norway. It’s now a tourist attraction and a place of worship, as the chapel makes sure to retain its religious traditions. It was built in 1969 as a way to celebrate the Scandinavian heritage that’s found in America.
Bighorn Medicine Wheel, Wyoming
The Forest Service writes that the Bighorn Medicine Wheel is sacred to Native Americans. It’s an archeological complex that’s been used by many tribes long before the Euro-Americans came and is still used in the present day. The medicine wheel is used for ceremonies and is also a place for prayer.
Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia
This church is considered the spiritual home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as it’s where his father preached, and just adjacent to the church is his grave. It holds an important place in history, as Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the main advocates for the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.
Devil’s Tower, Wyoming
This is a huge rock formation that’s sacred to Native Americans. It plays an important part in tribal culture as it’s a place where many tribes hold ceremonies and go to pray. Devil’s Tower became the U.S.’s first national monument as a way to preserve its history.
Mount Taylor, New Mexico
Mount Taylor has been a sacred place for many Native Americans. The National Trust for Historic Preservation writes, “Visible from up to 100 miles away, the mountain has been a pilgrimage site for as many as 30 Native American tribes, with special significance for the Acoma people.” The mountain has been used for many ceremonies and pilgrimages.
Medicine Tree, Montana
The Medicine Tree has always been an important part of Native American history, as it’s where leaders went to seek guidance and make decisions. It’s also seen as a national landmark, as it’s just a lone, tall tree. There are ongoing efforts to try and preserve the tree, but environmental issues make it difficult.
Temple Emanu-El, New York
This is one of the largest synagogues in the world, not just in America. It’s located on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, which also makes it one of the most visited synagogues. Temple Emanu-El has been beautifully decorated with stained glass and gilded ceilings.
Snoqualmie Falls, Washington
Sacred Land Film Project writes, “Snoqualmie Falls, 30 miles east of Seattle, Washington, is sacred to the Snoqualmie Tribe of the Puget Sound region. They believe it is the place where First Woman and First Man were created by Moon the Transformer, himself the son of an Indian woman and a star.” It’s a 268-foot waterfall that’s nothing but beautiful.
Shockoe Bottom, Richmond, Virginia
Shockoe Bottom is regarded as a sacred memorial place for descendants of the slave trade. It was the second-largest slave trading center in the United States, giving it a lot of historical and emotional weight. This sacred ground is a place to remember the injustice and suffering that were faced by slaves.
