The Case of the Mysterious Ship The Shipwreck Coast in Victoria, Australia, is a dramatic 80-mile stretch of jagged cliffs and towering dunes. Between the mid-18th and early 19th centuries, it’s estimated that nearly 700 ships wrecked along this coastline. In Warrnambool alone—the coastline’s largest city—29 shipwrecks rest at the bottom of the bay. One of those wrecked vessels is believed to be a 16th-century Portuguese caravel known as the Mahogany Ship. There’s just a small issue: The ship may not be from the 16th century. Or even Portuguese. Yet, Warrnambool’s identity largely revolves around the legend of this Portuguese ship, even hosting a Portuguese cultural festival every two years.  READ MORE →

GASTRO OBSCURA Old-Timey Cakes What’s the best thing you’ve ever gotten from a thrift shop? Whatever it is, it might not beat finding a handwritten cookbook from the 18th century containing dozens of recipes for everything from catsup to plague cures. By chance, it found its way from a textile artist to a food historian, who is now raising money to preserve the book from further deteriorating. READ MORE →

MARLBOROUGH, CONNECTICUT Snake Rock This wonderfully painted rock juts up out of the ground along a wooded road in Marlborough, Connecticut. Not only are the roadside wonder’s origins a mystery, but its form remains a question as well: Most call it Snake Rock, but some refer to it as Turtle Rock, insisting that the small clumps of stones on either side are meant to be clawed feet. READ MORE →

ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES Cartooning Character Starting Sunday, we’re picking up our pens and delving into the world of cartooning! The art of cartooning is a vehicle to document, honor, and even reimagine the people and stories that have shaped us. In this six-part workshop, you’ll learn how to create a nuanced, well-researched, representative character based on or drawing from a person who has impacted you and create an illustrated micro-biography. Participants need not be professional artists!  ENROLL NOW →

Britain’s Brickophiles What makes a brick worth collecting? Quite a lot, actually, according to devoted collectors. The humble building materials are full of stories—and well worth stockpiling. What collectors are after are the frogs, which are the indentations on the top sides that often bear the name and address of the brick manufacturers. Ask any collector, however, what specific quality makes their choice of brick so alluring, and the answer may wildly vary. READ MORE →

BIGFORK, MONTANA Wreck of the Steamship Helena One could say Helena represents ingenuity and adaptability, given the many lives it's lived. Constructed in 1915, the Helena was cobbled together from salvaged parts, including its engine, which was once featured at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. The engine powered two more seafaring vessels, including another ship by the same name; when that ship was abandoned in the 1930s, its wood was salvaged for a nearby shop. Today, the wreck is still visible in a quiet corner of Flathead Lake. READ MORE →

FROM THE ARCHIVES Virtual Museum Visits As the world continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of us are hunkering down at home. Museums, libraries, galleries, and other treasure troves may have paused their in-person programming, but a growing number of well-trod and more offbeat institutions have found ways to stoke your curiosity from wherever you are, with digital tours and livestreams. Here are a few ways to cultivate wonder without venturing beyond your living room. READ MORE →

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA Wilkes Street Tunnel One oft-overlooked, intriguing vestige of Alexandria’s past is nestled in a suburban tract, several blocks removed from the hustle and bustle of King Street. Here is the entrance to a former railroad tunnel that belonged to Orange & Alexandria Railroad completed in 1856. It was used in both the Civil War and World War I as a major connector between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia. READ MORE →

ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS A Culinary Adventure from Hanoi to Saigon Only four spots left on this trip! In November 2021, we’re gliding across the Perfume River and marveling at the sparkling skyscrapers that tower over Saigon. We’ll explore the country through its unique cuisine, tasting our way across north, central, and south Vietnam, learning from local chefs, and meeting with artists, authors, veterans, and friends to learn about the history of these different regions. Come with an eager palate and an empty stomach. LEARN MORE →