Treblinka, Poland

Janusz Korczak and his orphaned children met their deaths in the gas chambers at Treblinka in 1942. From the Warsaw ghetto, they were herded into boxcars and taken east by train to the extermination camp where they (and almost a million other Jews) succumbed to genocide. The memorial at Treblinka II today includes this symbolic headstone. [2003]

Warsaw, Poland

Pediatrician and children's author Janusz Korczak ran an orphanage in Warsaw's Jewish ghetto during World War II. In 1942, he refused to let his children be deported without him, so he went along, with them in tow. Little did they know the fate that awaited. [2003]

Greenup, Illinois, USA

"Historic Bridge Re-Created": That's the headline in the picture frame. However, the last covered bridge to stand here was washed out in 1865! No one remembers what that bridge looked like, but the town folk didn't let bother them. They built a new bridge: The Jackson Truss Covered Bridge, perhaps the most solidly built of any new-generation span. [2017]

Hurricane, West Virginia, USA

Want to add some nostalgia to your hillside McMansion? Build a wooden bridge over the ditch (creek?) that leads your driveway to your house. Do not think the Smith Bridge is an authentic covered bridge, however. Two I-beams, rather than wooden trusses, carry the weight of the bridge. In fact, it is more like a shed with two open ends. [2015]

Talladega, Alabama, USA

The Waldo Covered Bridge has not been given a new lease on life. It sits on two piers with no road access, no maintenance, and no escape from the march of time. Won't somebody please adopt this orphan? And, perhaps move it to a place where it can be taken care of? [2018]

Richmond, Virginia, USA

The year 2019 marks the 400th anniversary of representative government in the "New World." In 1619, the House of Burgesses met for the first time in Jamestown. Today, its successor meets here in Richmond. Thanks TJ: It took you to design an appropriate capitol for the young country's most populous state. Happy 231st birthday, Virginia. [2019]

El Dorado, Arkansas, USA

The classic red telephone box belongs in Britain, but here it is in Arkansas. Since no one uses pay phones anymore, El Dorado has turned it into a "Downtown Book Exchange." Even re-purposed, however, it makes this small town feel more like a world city. [2018]

New York, New York, USA

This is the Fifth Avenue that was. There seems to be only one or two lonely "pay phones" left. And, casting shadows seems to be the only service they now provide. At least the shade is free. Wherever you find yourself at this moment, look around: The landscapes of the 20th century are disappearing. [2018]

La Verkin, Utah, USA

Maybe Utah should be nicknamed Jurassic Park: an idea suggested by his t-shirt. The Beehive State (really?) is right in the middle of that great belt of states, from Texas to Montana, where dinosaur fossils (not to mention dinosaur footprints) are at their most plentiful. [2019]

Concord, New Hampshire, USA

When the Granite State ratified the U.S. Constitution on this date in 1788, its vote was the ninth, but it was more important than any other: With the ninth ratification, the Constitution went into effect. Here are some flowers to say happy 231st birthday! In the picture below, though: no posies. Concord had been conquered by the cold. [2018 and 1988]

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

The Bunge grain silos in the old port of Quebec City distract not at all from the recreational value of the yacht harbor. In fact, they add an element of geometric beauty au bord de la rivière. Right here,  the industrial age meets post-industrial lifestyles, and the fit is as perfect as the diphthong in pier. [2018]

West End, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Horrible, horrible, horrible: The health of planet Earth has been sacrificed for the views of a few. Just look at the gashes that were carved into the hillside so McMansions would have a place to perch. Arrogant human beings seem to think that every square inch of the planet should be open to exploitation, not for the public good but for private gain. [2014]

Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao

Why is Willemstad a World Heritage Site? According to UNESCO, the capital of Curaçao is "an exceptionally well preserved example of a Dutch colonial trading settlement. . . . The unique setting in a natural harbour qualifies the Historic Area of Willemstad as a rare example of a historic port town laid out in a setting of natural waters." [2017]

Lake Gatun, Panama

Lake Gatun accounts for 21 miles of the Panama Canal, which is 51 miles long in total. So, that's 40 percent. In the early 20th century, it was formed by damming the Chagres River. The lake plays an important role in the passage of ships from ocean to ocean, and in the passage of younglings from boys to men. [2017]

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Tombolo: a bar of sand connecting an island to the mainland. Sand simply accumulates in the wave-energy shadow of the island. The tombolo here at Land's End is accessible only by boat, but it does present a pleasant place to play for a day. [2016]

Littlefield, Arizona, USA

If you lived in this part of Arizona, you might just as well live in Utah or California. From Littlefield, you must go through a neighboring state to get to the rest of Arizona. That's because the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River isolates the few counties that constitute the Arizona Strip. [2019]

Clive, Iowa, USA

All nations have flags. All states have flags. But, do all corporations have flags? Vexillologists wish they did. No flag, however, should be flown higher than the national standard of the United States of America. Have a good Flag Day! [2008]

Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, USA

First, let's observe the building material: limestone, quarried locally from the same bedrock that gives the valley uber-fertile soils. Second, let's note the size: huge, but still not big enough, so an extended granary was added. Third, let's classify the architecture: Pennsylvania Bank Barn. See the bank leading to the second floor? [1983]

Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA

In the American Southwest, barns are not quite as essential as they are in climates that are colder and rainier. When older ones appear, they are made of neither stone nor wood. They are made of adobe. Like stone and wood barns, however, these adobe barns reflect the environment where they are found. [1987]

Vail, Colorado, USA

Logs and lumber: As pioneer settlers spread across the continent, these were probably the first building materials they chose for their barns. Then, as agriculture prospered, more substantial materials were sought from the local environment. In the mountain West, however, crop farming rarely prospered and wood remained the preference. [1983]

Laurens, South Carolina, USA

In many states, this is the day before primary and local elections, so don't forget to vote! We need to rebuild our democracy, and there is no better place to start than in your own community. [2006]

Oranjestad, Aruba

"Life's a Beach." Did you recognize the slogan as a metaphor? Truly, life is not a beach, but you may gain some perspective on life if you think about it as a beach. And, as this Aruban tableau suggests: Life is a Rainbow (think: diversity), and Life is a Bus (think: road trip). [2017]

Bristol, England, USA

It's World Oceans Day: time to honor King Neptune. Not only is he the patron of the five oceans, he is also the patron of seaside cities like Bristol. Five Oceans? The Southern Ocean was created by the International Hydrographic Organization in 2000. All said, though, today should really be World Ocean Day: singular. [2015]

Antwerp, Belgium

How do you honor your city's famous sons and daughters? Erect statues that fossilize them for all time. Here is the Antwerp-born David Teniers, 16th century artist extraordinaire. He looks far too prosperous to be an artist, but he was painting when the wealth of the world flowed into Flemish and Dutch ports. [2015]

Havana, Cuba

Chop up some tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers; saute in vegetable oil; and spice it up with garlic, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. You have just made a Cuban sofrito, which can be used as a base for almost any meal. All ingredients: on sale here! [2017]

Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Are you able to pick out the first and second tallest buildings in Cincinnati? The tallest is the most distant on this photo: The Great American Tower, which opened in 2011. The second tallest is the one that seems the tallest in this photo: The Carew Tower, which opened in 1930. [2019]

Upton, Kentucky, USA

Roadside space is usually an unexploited resource, but not here. It's a place to discard ancient vehicles, a place to store firewood until you can sell it, and a place to attract your attention after driving for too long on country roads  But you don't really care. You just want to know something about the Hill of Terror! [2019]

Baxter, Tennessee, USA

She spent her 86 years hand-stitching quilts: some for her family, some to give away on special occasions, and some to sell. Keep your eyes open as you travel America's blue highways. You just might spot a roadside sign: "For Sale Quilts Hand Made." [2019]

Marion, Virginia, USA

The banner tells you where you're located: Marion, America's Coolest Hometown. The mural tells you what's going on: The Song of the Mountains concert series. The Garden Club tells you how proud they are of Main Street: Just look at the flowers they're planting. [2019]

Louisburg, North Carolina, USA

We should have known something was wrong in 2016 when the Republican headquarters in Franklin County (and lots of other places) would not dare show a poster supporting their own Presidential contender. Today, they are die-hard supporters of their President. Go figure. [2016]