Stories - Atlas Obscura

The Crab Migration That the Colombian Army Is Dispatched to Protect

The crustaceans, native to Providencia, have seen declining numbers.

How Comparisons Help Us Understand the Universe

The Dangers of Train Yards, Through the Eyes of Railroad Employees

A collection of photos from the 1960s tried to show why locomotives need two people in the cab.

How a Caribbean Chef Is Unearthing the Hidden Stories of Martha's Vineyard

Deon Thomas's unique eatery showcases another side of the island.

Seattle's Mystery Soda Machine Has Gone Missing

Will it ever return?

Celebrating Ghana’s Amazing Handpainted Barbershop Signs

These vibrant artworks advertised the freshest styles and sleekest cuts.

Why Garlic Brings Good Luck to This Spanish Soccer Team

It's thought to dispel evil.

Why a Portion of the Arctic Ocean May Become Part of the Atlantic

Clue: It's related to climate change.

What's the Most Memorable Street Name You’ve Ever Encountered?

We've gone down some unusual roads—now we want to hear about your favorites.

Found: 3 Poisonous Books in a University Library

Their green covers meant danger.

The 800-Year-Old Fishpond That’s Still Feeding Hawai‘i

How an O‘ahu community came together to rebuild a fishpond, and revive a traditional farming practice.

The Harsh Reality of Food for 'Little House' Pioneers

On the American frontier, dinner might have been vinegar pie, bear meat, or nothing at all.

Abalonia: The Island Nation That Never Was

It was meant to be a seafood paradise.

Found: Mysterious Gold Ornaments, Buried in an Irish Country Field

The function of these ancient rings is not yet known.

London's Royal Observatory Once Again Gazes at the Sky

It's been 60 years since the city's smog shut it down.

The Canoe That Changed Hawai‘i

How Hōkūleʻa and its amazing voyage across the Pacific helped kickstart a Hawaiian cultural renaissance.

How Laos Got Its First Buffalo Dairy Farm

First, two friends rented a buffalo.

Explore the Sound of Islands That Never Existed

Sailors would sometimes come back with stories of imaginary isles.