Bethany, MO: Ever since Yellowstone National Park was created in 1872, the American people have recognized the importance of preserving places of historical significance. The National Historic Landmarks registry did not begin until the 1960’s, but many important buildings (Washington’s Mt. Vernon and Jefferson’s Monticello, for example) had been preserved long before that. Many communities around the nation have historic features that have been preserved, many of which have attracted numerous tourists over the years.