This imposing Masonic temple a mile from the White House was the first public library in Washington, D.C.

Obscure Freemasons still live in D.C.’s largest private residence.

A hidden passageway now marks the site of an assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan that some say broke a 140-year-old curse.

This robust fence in front of a historic Georgetown home is likely made from hundreds of recycled Revolutionary War firearms.

These two monoliths have stood at the entrance to the neighborhood since the days it was called "Hollywoodland."

This Chase branch is an homage to Old Hollywood.

The mall's looks were inspired by the cowboy extras who used to meet up—and cause real trouble—at this Hollywood hub.

A few iconic structures are all that remain of America’s first outdoor shopping mall.

The decor of this Hollywood movie palace just barely predated the opening of King Tut's tomb.

The blinking light atop the iconic landmark has been sending secret messages for decades.

This centerpiece of the Hollywood & Highland shopping center is a recreation of a long-lost movie set.

This forgotten Frank Lloyd Wright house is an architectural marvel at the end of a sleepy residential street.

Instead of hoofing it up steep stairs, residents can hitch a ride on this private lift.

This unacceptably tall building was the real reason for Washington, D.C.'s skyscraper ban.

Before Metro, Washington had a robust streetcar network—and you see the remains of this infrastructure if you know where to look.

A building shaped like the Army Corps of Engineers logo, because why not?

Every drop of D.C. tap water flows through this old waterworks.

These unusual rooms on wheels are holdovers from the 1960s.

This star-studded Old Hollywood restaurant is where fettuccine Alfredo made its United States debut.

The space-age building is home to one of the few remaining rotating restaurants in America, and the only one that inspired a 1980s sitcom.

There are lots of hands and feet stamped in the cement in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, but Mel left behind something extra.

This elegant Colombian fortress was one of the torture headquarters for the Spanish Inquisition.

A park with one large cat sculpture and 15 smaller ones, all painted by different Colombian artists.

This unique structure in suburban Austin is made up entirely of other people's castaways, and constantly changing.