IT’S HISTORY

Florida’s sinkholes, formed by the dissolution of soluble bedrock—particularly limestone—have shaped the state’s landscape for thousands of years. Florida’s porous limestone bedrock and fluctuating water levels make the region especially susceptible to sinkhole formation. Native Americans and early settlers encountered these features, and scientific study intensified in the 20th century. Today sin...

Step into the twisted past of Coney Island, New York, as this episode uncovers the corruption and captivating tales that shaped this legendary amusement hub — from its early days under Native American control to its rise, scandals, and modern revival. Chapters 00:00 - Introducing Coney Island, New York 00:31 - Coney Island under Native American control 00:51 - The early development of Coney Island...

IT’S HISTORY — Weekly Tales of American Urban Decay Host: Ryan Socash 00:00 - What is the Brooklyn Army Terminal? 01:57 - Construction of the Brooklyn Army Terminal 04:55 - Brooklyn Army Terminal’s post‑WWI use 06:03 - The Brooklyn Army Terminal during WWII 08:19 - The Brooklyn Army Terminal post‑WWII 08:55 - The downfall of Brooklyn’s Army Terminal 10:28 - The modernization of Brooklyn’s Army Ter...

The North River Tunnels are a pair of rail tunnels carrying Amtrak and New Jersey Transit lines under the Hudson River between Weehawken, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan. Constructed in 1910, they remain a critical travel option for commuters on NJ Transit and Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. The tunnels are active—allowing about 24 crossings per hour each way and operating near capa...

IT’S HISTORY — Weekly tales of American urban decay, presented by Ryan Socash. The Embarcadero Freeway (State Route 480) was a double-decked elevated highway in San Francisco built in the 1950s. Running along the waterfront from the Bay Bridge to northern neighborhoods, it was criticized for cutting the city off from its historic waterfront and obstructing views. After the 1989 Loma Prieta earthqu...

Rockefeller Center is one of New York’s most iconic landmarks—but it began as a planned new home for the Metropolitan Opera. After the stock market crash the project collapsed, leaving John D. Rockefeller Jr. with a six‑million‑square‑foot lease. In the depths of the Great Depression he instead built an audacious complex of office towers, broadcast studios, and underground infrastructure that resh...

Discover the history of Washington, D.C.’s little-known Senate subway — a secret underground rail system connecting the U.S. Capitol to nearby Senate office buildings. Built over a century ago to streamline travel for senators, the system evolved from an open-air electric trolley to modern underground cars. The video explores why the subway was built, how it changed over time, and why it’s still u...

Imagine a place where sunlight barely penetrates and walls isolate souls. ADX Florence, known as "The Alcatraz of the Rockies," is America's most secure supermax prison, designed for near-total isolation and housing terrorists, cartel leaders, and serial killers. This video traces ADX Florence’s history from its inception in 1994, examines its role as a model of extreme incarceration, profiles not...

Today we explore the story of how Sing Sing became one of America's most famous prisons. Chapters: 00:00 - Why Sing Sing is so famous 00:40 - The early history of Sing Sing Prison 02:29 - Why they named the Prison Sing Sing 03:10 - Why Sing Sing was considered “progressive” 05:05 - Sing Sing’s unusual history with baseball 08:06 - The expansion of Sing Sing Prison 08:54 - Notable events at Sing Si...

Explore the history of Venice Beach, Los Angeles—from Abbot Kinney’s vision and the snowstorm that sparked it, to the coin toss that changed its future and the ambitious construction of the beach and canals. Learn how the canals operated, why they became problematic, what remains today, and follow a journey to retrace the lost canals beneath Venice’s streets. Chapters: 00:49 Abbot Kinney: The Man...

Wacker Drive is a multilevel street in Chicago’s Loop, running along the south side of the main branch and the east side of the south branch of the Chicago River. Most of it is double-decked: the upper level for local traffic and the lower for through traffic and trucks serving buildings (originally a dock). Considered a precursor to the modern freeway, it was designed with pleasure vehicles on th...

A concise history of New York City’s Croton Distributing Reservoir, the mid-19th-century engineering project that brought clean drinking water to the city. Built on Murray Hill with a capacity of about 100 million gallons, it required major excavation and the transport of massive stone blocks from distant quarries, including in New Jersey. The video examines its impact on firefighting, industrial...

In autumn 2022, the Mississippi River fell to extraordinary lows: near Memphis, Civil War shipwrecks resurfaced with intact artifacts; at Baton Rouge, a steamboat hull last seen in 1915 was exposed; and saltwater from the Gulf advanced roughly 60 miles upstream, contaminating drinking water. The river didn’t run dry, but the conditions were unprecedented by historical standards. This episode trace...

Did you know that Chicago's Merchandise Mart has its own zip code? Opened in 1930, it was the largest building in the world, spanning 4 million square feet. Its significance led to a dedicated L stop and a connection to a now-abandoned 60 miles of underground freight tunnels. Merchandise Mart was built above a massive train yard, facilitating freight train deliveries in the heart of Chicago for ma...

In this episode of It’s History, we explore the story behind the Lincoln Tunnel, one of the busiest vehicular tunnels in the world, connecting New York to New Jersey. The tunnel sees over 100,000 cars daily and around 21 million annually. Topics covered include: - Inspiration from the Holland Tunnel - Proposed underwater tunnels - Financial struggles and funding methods - Engineering feats involve...

High in the hills of Griffith Park, Los Angeles, lies the abandoned remains of the first zoo, built in 1912. Once a symbol of civic ambition, the original Griffith Park Zoo became a cautionary tale of poor planning, limited funding, and misunderstandings about animal welfare. This episode delves into the zoo's cheaply constructed cages, the public scandal related to its cramped enclosures, and the...

IT’S HISTORY - Weekly Tales of American Urban Decay presented by host Ryan Socash. In this episode, we explore the intricate history of the global sugar trade with a focus on New York and the Domino Sugar Refinery. Chapters: 00:00 - How New York was a Part of the Global Sugar Trade 01:52 - The History of New York’s Havemeyer Family’s Sugar Company 03:48 - The impact of the Industrial Revolution on...

In this episode of IT’S HISTORY, host Ryan Socash delves into the fascinating story of the Washington Monument. **Chapters:** 00:00 - Introducing The Washington Monument 03:32 - America’s Other Washington Monuments 01:53 - The History of George Washington 06:29 - What the Washington Monument Represents 07:13 - How Politics Almost Prevented the Washington Monument 08:38 - The Washington National Mo...

Los Angeles is home to a unique network of forgotten pedestrian tunnels built in the early to mid-20th century. Originally constructed to ensure safe passage for pedestrians across busy intersections, these tunnels have largely fallen into disuse over the years. Today, many remain abandoned or have been repurposed, showcasing a historical glimpse into the city's past foot traffic. Their hidden ent...

High in the San Gabriel Mountains outside Los Angeles lies the “Bridge to Nowhere,” built during the Great Depression under the Works Progress Administration. Originally intended to connect Azusa to Wrightwood, the bridge became stranded in the wilderness after catastrophic floods in 1938 wiped out the road it served. Abandoned yet preserved, it has turned into a hiking destination and bungee-jump...

In this episode, we explore the unique transportation design at O’Hare International Airport, where airplanes cross highways on bridges built for cars. Discover how Chicago’s layered infrastructure, including elevated trains and underground freight tunnels, led to the construction of these aircraft bridges over the Kennedy Expressway. Built in the 1960s to support jets like the Boeing 747, these s...

Explore the Casa Grande Domes in Arizona, unique structures with a fascinating history of abandonment. This video delves into their past and the potential reasons for their desertion, accompanied by a tour highlighting their current state. IT’S HISTORY presents weekly tales of American Urban Decay, hosted by Ryan Socash. #CasaGrandeDomes #UrbanDecay #History Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Discover the incredible history of the Sutro Baths in San Francisco—once a thriving getaway for the working class, filled with amenities, now standing as crumbling ruins. Join host Ryan Socash in this episode of IT’S HISTORY as we explore the tales of American urban decay. Scriptwriter: Imana Schoch Editor: Oliwia Tracz Host: Ryan Socash #UrbanDecay #SutroBaths #History Learn more about your ad ch...

The United States has the largest, most advanced military on the planet, leading to the retirement of older aircraft. This video explores the fate of these planes, focusing on the Airplane Graveyard at the Davis-Monthan Base in Tucson, Arizona, commonly known as the Boneyard. This facility houses thousands of aircraft, many at their final resting place and serves as a significant tourist attractio...

Discover the intriguing story of New York's Lost Highline, exploring the rich history of railroads in the city, the dangers of street-level trains, and the transformative removal of those tracks. Witness the decline of train transportation and the activism surrounding New York’s High Line, which ultimately led to an order for its demolition. Experience the remarkable journey of rezoning the High L...