Old Fort Madison in Iowa

The original Fort Madison was in use between 1808 to 1813, and was built by the U.S. military to patrol the Upper Mississippi in what is present day Iowa. The fort didn't have a long life, but was one of three posts constructed by the army to gain control over the newly acquired territories following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

Fort Madison was abandoned and set ablaze during the summer of 1813. As the frontier became a battleground during the War of 1812, attacking tribes allied with the British had forced the army to withdraw. Today, a re-creation of the old fort can be found in Fort Madison, Iowa.
  

Mississippi River in Fort Madison, Iowa.

Southernmost Point in Continental U.S.A.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Key West, Florida is the marker / bouy for the Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S.A. From this point Cuba is only 90 miles away.

To drive to Key West you have to take the 113 mile Overseas Highway, which links the islands of the Florida Keys. In these pictures you'll notice that the bouy has been fenced off. The reason for this was that the 'Southernmost Point' had been repainted the day before I arrived as a result of being damaged during Hurricane Irma. The crashing waves during the storm had actually stripped the paint from the concrete. Admittedly, there's really not much to this Key West landmark, but as the crowds of tourists prove, it's still fun to say that you've stood here.  

Looking towards Cuba.

St. Ann's Academy in Victoria, B.C.

Comprised of what was once a chapel, school, and convent, St. Ann's Academy in Victoria, British Columbia was built by the Roman Catholic women's Congregation of the Sisters of St. Ann from Quebec. The chapel inside St. Ann's Academy was the original St. Andrew's before the new cathedral was constructed in downtown Victoria. 

After the academy closed its doors in 1974, the building was completely refurbished and converted into office space for use by the provincial government of British Columbia. The chapel, parlours, and infirmary, as well as the exterior architecture, was preserved in the restoration. Today, St. Ann's Academy is a National Historic Site of Canada.