The annual endangered list has spurred action and helped threatened historic properties thrive Historic preservation, which can seem like its standing astride history and working against the forces of development, can be a challenging endeavor. Even the most historic or architecturally significant spaces still need a champion, Perhaps that?s why, for the 30th anniversary of its endangered places program, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has decided to celebrate three decades of victories.
While big losses for preservation reverberate loudly, the program has had a remarkable run, chalking up a long list of victories and saving dozens of key buildings, cultural sites, and public spaces. Of the more than 300 places the Trust has decided to shine a spotlight on since 1988, less than five percent have been lost. The added attention from the Trust has galvanized local, state, and even national officials to protect and preserve these sites, as well as the important history attached. Here are 11 examples showing how this program has served as a rallying cry, bringing widespread public attention to important historical structures.

Andy Rusch

Angel Island Immigration Station ( San Francisco, California)
A point of entry to the U.S. for immigrants from eighty countries across the Pacific Rim between 1910 and 1940, but abandoned since World War II, the remaining buildings of the Immigration Station were scheduled to be torn down until park ranger...