Aerial America

How Buffalo Bill Became a Water Tycoon

William "Buffalo Bill" Cody wasn't just a famous showman, he was also a frontier scout, Pony Express rider, prospector, guide, and Union soldier in the Civil War.

A Horrific Tragedy at Frank Lloyd Wright's Home

One of Frank Lloyd Wright's most beloved properties, Taliesin, was inspired by Wisconsin's natural beauty. But its history is mired in tragedy.

Here's Why the Battle of Vicksburg Was So Important

Marching through Mississippi, Ulysses S. Grant focused his efforts on the city of Vicksburg. Surrounding and firing upon the city for weeks on end, he forced its citizens to the brink of starvation.

The Strikingly Unusual Clingstone Mansion

J.S. Lovering Wharton built this house on a rock off the coast of Rhode Island because, as legend has it, he wanted a place where no one could bother him.

Why 500 Men Gather in a Little-Known Louisiana Field

Five hundred passionate Civil War reenactors gather every year to live in period tents, wear costumes and play out every step of the little-known Battle of Port Hudson.

Why Portland Allowed "Rum Breaks" For City Workers

A harbortown at heart, Portland Maine has a rich history in everything from prose to Prohibition.

Niagara Falls

Carved by the epic force of melting glacial ice, Niagara Falls instills awe in its visitors through its natural majesty and its raw power.

Do You Know What the Hollywood Sign Originally Said?

The famous Hollywood sign was built in 1923--but not to publicize the growing film industry. In fact, it was constructed to advertise a new residential development with a different name.

The U.S. Army's Legendary Buffalo Soldiers

For twenty years, the Buffalo Soldiers at Fort Davis blazed trails for African Americans as the U.S. Army's first peacetime regiments of black troops.

How a Resort Town Became an Abandoned Toxic Wasteland

In the 1960s, the Salton Sea was home to a thriving resort town frequented by celebrities like Frank Sinatra and the Beach Boys. Today, it is a ghost town, suffering from a high toxin levels in the water.

The Black Blizzards of Oklahoma

What the farmers who settled Oklahoma's lands didn't know was that the years of plentiful rain were only a brief segment of a cycle that would bring drought, dust storms, and devastation.

The Intense War Between the Modoc Tribe and the U.S.

The struggle for local Native American tribes of California to hold on to their lands came to a head at Lava Beds National Monument, in 1873. There, 60 members of the Modoc tribe managed to hold off 600 U.S. soldiers.

How the 726-Foot-Tall Hoover Dam Was Built Ahead of Schedule

The world's biggest dam at the time of its construction, Hoover Dam solved the problem of the overflowing Colorado river with sleek design and brilliant American engineering.

How 60 Million Bison Became 1,000 in a Century

In the late 1700s, more than 60 million bison roamed the Great Plains. Over the years, demand for fur and meat drove their numbers down until, by the end of the 19th century, there were just a 1,000 left.

Arizona's Jaw-Dropping Mile-Long Meteor Crater

In the northern Arizona desert, an imposing-looking crater shows the impact of an ancient meteor crash. Until the 1960s, it was mistakenly believed to be a volcanic crater.

Insane Views of the USA in a Minute

America is one of the most breathtaking and diverse geographical places on Earth. From monuments to mountains and canyons to coastlines, take a speedy aerial tour through our country's most stunning sites.

How Alabama Specialists Burn a Forest Safely

Oklahoma's Strangest Scenery

Sand dunes, salt plains, and toxic soils: the vast "deserts" of Oklahoma are more than unusual.

How Minnesota and Music Made Bob Dylan

When a Minnesota boy named Bob Zimmerman began playing folk music in coffeehouses, he changed his stage name and went on to become the musical genius known as Bob Dylan.

The Land of Mountaintop Removal

Over five hundred mountains in West Virginia have been destroyed because of new mining techniques used by coal companies in the Appalachians.

Why Wyoming Takes Women's Rights Seriously

Wyoming was the first state to allow women the right to vote in 1870, and when Congress threatened to derail Wyoming's statehood unless the right was revoked, the state refused to back down.

The Legend of Old West Outlaw Billy the Kid

Ranchers, cowboys and gunslingers dominated the Wild West, and in the Lincoln County War, Billy the Kid proved that he was one of the most ruthless and cunning outlaws around.

What Happened to Christopher McCandless

In 1992, Christopher McCandless set off to test if he could survive alone in the wilds of Alaska. It didn't go as planned.

A Glimpse Into the Highest Mountain of the Cascade Range

In 1880, John Muir boldly hiked to the icy summit of one of Washington State's most recognizable landmarks. He would later go on to became one of nature's greatest advocates.

What the Oregon Trail Looks Like Today From Above

One of America's greatest highways is barely visible from the ground. It's only from the air that you can pick out the remains of the Oregon Trail.

Without This Woman's Help, Lewis and Clark Were Goners

Lewis and Clark first met Sacajawea and her French husband Toussaint Charbonneau in the Dakota Territory. The couple joined the expedition, acting as translators and guides.

The Stunning Filming location of "The Horse Whisperer"

The Horse Whisperer, shot in Montana and starring Robert Redford, tells the story of a troubled family, a troubled horse, and the horse whisperer who brings them together.

This Impressive Idaho Waterfall Is Taller Than Niagara

If you think Niagara Falls is breathtaking, wait until you experience Idaho's Shoshone Falls, the "Niagara of the West."

The Best View of the Grand Canyon

Scientists still don't entirely comprehend the 1.5 billion year history of the Grand Canyon; it's a story of erosion that has created one of the most breathtaking sites in America.

How Alabama Became Home to 'Rocket City'

Originally home to the first NASA space station and post-WWII's Operation Paperclip, quaint Huntsville, Alabama is etched in history as 'Rocket City.'