Sloan, the Wanderer
@sloanwanderer.bsky.social
Just a time traveler stuck in the 21st century, trying to share random knowledge with the world.
She/Her
She/Her
Australian Ron Bracewell created one of the world's first radio telescopes at Stanford University. When the telescope was abandoned in the 1980's, the dish antennas and their concrete piers were moved to the Very Large Array outside of Magdalena, NM.
December 8, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Australian Ron Bracewell created one of the world's first radio telescopes at Stanford University. When the telescope was abandoned in the 1980's, the dish antennas and their concrete piers were moved to the Very Large Array outside of Magdalena, NM.
Iona's Beach, Minnesota, has an unusual feature: when waves from Lake Superior crash upon the shore, the pebbles that make up the beach make a tinkling noise like bells. The pink rhyolite pebbles create the sound as they settle following disturbance by the waves. #Travel #Minnesota #MusicalBeaches
December 5, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Iona's Beach, Minnesota, has an unusual feature: when waves from Lake Superior crash upon the shore, the pebbles that make up the beach make a tinkling noise like bells. The pink rhyolite pebbles create the sound as they settle following disturbance by the waves. #Travel #Minnesota #MusicalBeaches
Norton, Kansas's First State Bank has an unusual gallery: the "They Also Ran" gallery. Housed in the bank are portraits of all the individuals who have run for President only to be defeated.
December 4, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Norton, Kansas's First State Bank has an unusual gallery: the "They Also Ran" gallery. Housed in the bank are portraits of all the individuals who have run for President only to be defeated.
At 1733 Lowrie Street in Pittsburgh, wanderers can find what is perhaps the longest historic site plaque known. The art piece explains the history of the site, from 400-600 million years ago, through the present day, and into the future.
December 3, 2025 at 1:22 PM
At 1733 Lowrie Street in Pittsburgh, wanderers can find what is perhaps the longest historic site plaque known. The art piece explains the history of the site, from 400-600 million years ago, through the present day, and into the future.
For many years, there was a hotdog stand at the center of the Pentagon called the Ground Zero Cafe, so-named because allegedly the Soviets had nuclear missiles trained on the location due to the congregation of Pentagon officials daily.
December 2, 2025 at 2:55 PM
For many years, there was a hotdog stand at the center of the Pentagon called the Ground Zero Cafe, so-named because allegedly the Soviets had nuclear missiles trained on the location due to the congregation of Pentagon officials daily.
The town of Santa Fe, Indiana was unable to incorporate in 1852 due to another town in the state already claiming the name Santa Fe. In order to resolve the issue, the town held meetings and ultimately chose to rename itself Santa Claus.
December 1, 2025 at 2:17 PM
The town of Santa Fe, Indiana was unable to incorporate in 1852 due to another town in the state already claiming the name Santa Fe. In order to resolve the issue, the town held meetings and ultimately chose to rename itself Santa Claus.
Afton, Wyoming is home to an unusual natural landmark. The Intermittent Spring (aka the Periodic Spring) is one of only three rhythmic springs.
November 28, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Afton, Wyoming is home to an unusual natural landmark. The Intermittent Spring (aka the Periodic Spring) is one of only three rhythmic springs.
West of Tucson, AZ is Tumamoc Hill, a volcanic butte that is the oldest continually-inhabited site in the United States. Carbon dating has shown that maize has been cultivated at the site for over 4100 years.
November 27, 2025 at 4:22 PM
West of Tucson, AZ is Tumamoc Hill, a volcanic butte that is the oldest continually-inhabited site in the United States. Carbon dating has shown that maize has been cultivated at the site for over 4100 years.
Hillsboro WV is home to the largest bog in the state: the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. The acidic wetland is made up of peat, giving the ground its spongy texture, and is home to over 60 plant speces including the carnivorous pitcher plant and sundew.
November 26, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Hillsboro WV is home to the largest bog in the state: the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. The acidic wetland is made up of peat, giving the ground its spongy texture, and is home to over 60 plant speces including the carnivorous pitcher plant and sundew.
For the first three quarters of the century, the Milwaukee Railroad operated from Chicago to Seattle. Along its route, the Hiawatha passenger train would cross the Continental Divide through spectacular sights.
November 25, 2025 at 1:10 PM
For the first three quarters of the century, the Milwaukee Railroad operated from Chicago to Seattle. Along its route, the Hiawatha passenger train would cross the Continental Divide through spectacular sights.
Alongside a creek bed in Orchard Park, NY is an unusual site: a flickering flame underneath a waterfall. The Eternal Flame Falls at the county park are the result of a natural gas pocket exiting underneath the shale of the waterfall at Chestnut Ridge Park.
November 24, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Alongside a creek bed in Orchard Park, NY is an unusual site: a flickering flame underneath a waterfall. The Eternal Flame Falls at the county park are the result of a natural gas pocket exiting underneath the shale of the waterfall at Chestnut Ridge Park.
Presque Isle, Maine, features a monument in the shape of a balloon. The site commemorates the first successful transatlantic balloon crossing, launched August 11, 1978 and landed outside Paris 6 days later.
November 21, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Presque Isle, Maine, features a monument in the shape of a balloon. The site commemorates the first successful transatlantic balloon crossing, launched August 11, 1978 and landed outside Paris 6 days later.
Two towns in the United States hold cliaim to the title of smallest town. Both Monowi, Nebraska and Ruso, North Dakota have one resident, though Monowi's 2020 census showed two residents as an example of differential privacy. #Travel #TinyTowns
November 20, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Two towns in the United States hold cliaim to the title of smallest town. Both Monowi, Nebraska and Ruso, North Dakota have one resident, though Monowi's 2020 census showed two residents as an example of differential privacy. #Travel #TinyTowns
For the opening of the 1981 "Warhol at Colorado State University" exhibit, the school's Art department collaborated with the pop-art painter to create three giant Cambell's tomato soup cans. Warhol provided specifications to the school, which the department followed to create the oversized cans.
November 19, 2025 at 1:54 PM
For the opening of the 1981 "Warhol at Colorado State University" exhibit, the school's Art department collaborated with the pop-art painter to create three giant Cambell's tomato soup cans. Warhol provided specifications to the school, which the department followed to create the oversized cans.
Havre, Montana, once had a lively underground scene. Literally. When the city burned down in 1904, enterprising local business owners opened in their surviving basements, and tunnels dug by Chinese workers linked the underground establishments.
November 18, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Havre, Montana, once had a lively underground scene. Literally. When the city burned down in 1904, enterprising local business owners opened in their surviving basements, and tunnels dug by Chinese workers linked the underground establishments.
Freeport Maine is home to perhaps one of the most unusual McDonald's in the country. When the restaurant wanted to open in the town in 1984, strict building regulations were a constraint. In order to comply, they renovated an existing home, hiding the restaurant in the historic structure.
November 17, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Freeport Maine is home to perhaps one of the most unusual McDonald's in the country. When the restaurant wanted to open in the town in 1984, strict building regulations were a constraint. In order to comply, they renovated an existing home, hiding the restaurant in the historic structure.
What is a dark sky place? Locations where significant effort has been made to prevent light pollution emanations during nighttime hours can be designated as a dark sky place.
November 14, 2025 at 2:09 PM
What is a dark sky place? Locations where significant effort has been made to prevent light pollution emanations during nighttime hours can be designated as a dark sky place.
Renée Vivien was an English poet who published her first two books under the pseudonym "R. Vivien." This and the sapphic nature of her poems resulted in her and her partner, Natalie Barney, having to stifle their giggles at a misreading by the lecturer assuming Vivien was male. #LitHistory
November 12, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Renée Vivien was an English poet who published her first two books under the pseudonym "R. Vivien." This and the sapphic nature of her poems resulted in her and her partner, Natalie Barney, having to stifle their giggles at a misreading by the lecturer assuming Vivien was male. #LitHistory
A Chicago artist took an interesting approach to addressing irresponsible dog owners leaving feces around the neighborhood. Jerzy S. Kernar's "Shit Fountain" is a bronze coil clearly representing the namesake feces, with water trickling over the bronze into a shallow fountain.
November 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
A Chicago artist took an interesting approach to addressing irresponsible dog owners leaving feces around the neighborhood. Jerzy S. Kernar's "Shit Fountain" is a bronze coil clearly representing the namesake feces, with water trickling over the bronze into a shallow fountain.
No longer moving week but worth mentioning: Just beside the railroad line in Shelburne Vermont is an unusual sight: a sidewheel steamboat over a mile inland from the lake. In 1954, following a 49 year career on the lakes, it paddled into a temporary drydock.
November 10, 2025 at 3:40 PM
No longer moving week but worth mentioning: Just beside the railroad line in Shelburne Vermont is an unusual sight: a sidewheel steamboat over a mile inland from the lake. In 1954, following a 49 year career on the lakes, it paddled into a temporary drydock.
The Gem Theatre and Century Theatre in Detroit, MI were built in 1903 and added to the Historic Register in 1985. In 1997, the building containing the two theaters was relocated 1850' (563m) to spare them from demolition during the construction of Comerica Park.
November 7, 2025 at 9:15 PM
The Gem Theatre and Century Theatre in Detroit, MI were built in 1903 and added to the Historic Register in 1985. In 1997, the building containing the two theaters was relocated 1850' (563m) to spare them from demolition during the construction of Comerica Park.
One of the few buildings still in existence from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair now serves as the Swedish Heritage Museum in Lindsborg, Kansas. Following the expo, it was moved to Bethany College and spent 60 years serving the college before being moved in 1969 to its present location.
November 6, 2025 at 1:01 PM
One of the few buildings still in existence from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair now serves as the Swedish Heritage Museum in Lindsborg, Kansas. Following the expo, it was moved to Bethany College and spent 60 years serving the college before being moved in 1969 to its present location.
One of the few buildings still in existance from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair now serves as the Swedish Heritage Museum in Lindsborg, Kansas. Following the expo, it was moved to Bethany College and spent 60 years serving the college before being moved in 1969 to its present location.
November 5, 2025 at 1:36 PM
One of the few buildings still in existance from the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair now serves as the Swedish Heritage Museum in Lindsborg, Kansas. Following the expo, it was moved to Bethany College and spent 60 years serving the college before being moved in 1969 to its present location.
The Ship of Theseus is a philosophical thought exercise about when an object no longer is the object that gave it fame. If you took all the parts from a famous ship one by one and replaced them, is it still the same ship? John Brown's Fort in Harper's Ferry is a practical example of this.
November 4, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The Ship of Theseus is a philosophical thought exercise about when an object no longer is the object that gave it fame. If you took all the parts from a famous ship one by one and replaced them, is it still the same ship? John Brown's Fort in Harper's Ferry is a practical example of this.
Let's talk about moving buildings. First up: the Indiana Bell Building. In 1929, Bell determined they needed to demolish their existing building to expand operations, however the architects proposed an audacious alternative: rotate the building 90° and move it 100' west.
November 3, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Let's talk about moving buildings. First up: the Indiana Bell Building. In 1929, Bell determined they needed to demolish their existing building to expand operations, however the architects proposed an audacious alternative: rotate the building 90° and move it 100' west.