Flatiron Building (a.k.a. Fuller Building)
New York, NY
Built in 1902
One of New York City's first skyscrapers.
Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
[Reproduction number, LC-USZ62-107693].

America's beauty comes not only from a diverse landscape, but from the effect of its progress over more than a 200-year history. Americans have created cities and towns of character that today show their pioneer spirit and ingenuity. The story of America's progression from a primarily rural nation to a diverse industrial society is exemplified in our architecture. The buildings that comprise our historic neighborhoods tell us who we are as a nation and how we got there. They provide a living monument to our predecessors and a history lesson to our youth. Unfortunately, like so many other things unique to our historic past, they are endangered.

As our population grows, the interest in convenience and commercialism gain in prominence and the buildings that tell so much about our history are put at risk. They are demolished to accommodate strip malls, parking lots, hotels and sports arenas. What is gained may be viewed temporarily as an improvement, but what is lost is lost forever.