The Seven Wonders of the World are certainly well known, but if you do not feel like venturing out of the United States there are seven man-made wonders right within America that are certainly worth checking out. These structures remain among the largest, strongest and most fascinating structures in not only the United States but also the world. Read on for more details about these magnificent wonders of modern engineering.

Mount Rushmore remains one of those iconic structures that is frequently associated with the United States. The site of Mount Rushmore once belonged to the Sioux. After the discovery of gold in the Black Hills, the Sioux were quickly displaced by gold miners and prospectors.

In 1885, the area was visited by a businessman by the name of Charles Rushmore. Eventually, the mountain became his namesake. Carving of the well-known sculptures that now reside on the mountain began in 1923. The monument was finally completed in 1941. Nearly 3 million visitors make their way to Mount Rushmore each year.

While it may seem inconceivable today, Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn have not always been connected. The process of traveling back and forth and transporting goods between the two communities was difficult, to say the least. Eventually, residents came together to discuss the idea of constructing a bridge that would connect the two cities.

Numerous attempts at designing a bridge were made; however, it was not until 1855 that a suspension bridge idea was proposed. Two years later the idea was finally approved. Construction on the bridge began in early January, 1870. It would take thirteen years for the bridge to be completed. It finally opened in 1883 to the awe and pride of not only New Yorkers but also to people all around the country.

More than one hundred years later, the Brooklyn Bridge is now a National Historic Landmark. The bridge is still one of the longest spanning suspension bridges in the world.

The Seattle Space Needle was originally designed for a specific event, the 1962 World's Fair. It did not take long; however, for the spectacular structure to become an icon of Seattle. It remains one of the most visible symbols of Seattle. Although the structure does tend to sway on occasion, it was originally constructed to withstand winds reaching up to 200 mph.

The Empire State Building was constructed during one of the most difficult times during the history of the country, the Great Depression. The building stands as a testament to the pride and determination of not only the people of New York City but also all Americans.

Plans for the building began when the Chrysler Corporation and General Motors entered into a competition to determine which company could construct the tallest building. Construction on the building began in the spring of 1930. 88 floors had been completed by the fall of that same year, with only 14 floors left remaining. The speed of construction was aided by the fact that the posts, windows and beams were constructed in factories and then shipped to the site by train. The rapid rise of the building was the talk of the country at the time. Today, the Empire State Building is a National Historic Landmark.

The first geological studies of the Colorado River were conducted in 1869. It was not until 1933 that construction on the Hoover Dam was actually begun. More than 60 years passed during the interim, during which time several states entered into discussions regarding the way in which water distribution would be handled. Considering the amount of time that it took to actually plan the building of the dam, the fact that it took only five years to complete the construction on such a massive project remains a true marvel. The dam remains a visible reminder of the dedication of the ability of the country to construct such a large scale project during the most difficult economic periods of the nation's history.

Millions of visitors make their way to San Francisco each year to travel across the expanse of the Golden Gate Bridge. Construction began on the bridge in January of 1933, with six different counties involved in the project. The bridge was completed in 1937, ahead of the predicted schedule for completion. Numerous awards have been bestowed on the bridge since that time. It remains one of the most well known landmarks within the United States.

Stay in one of the beautiful San Francisco hotels for your next trip to the Bay Area!

The Washington Monument is a sight that is unique American and forever linked to the history of the nation. The monument pays homage to the life of George Washington, not only a great general, but also the first American president. Originally, the monument had been intended to serve as the focal point of the nation's capital city. Construction of the monument was begun in 1843 and finally completed more than fifty years later. Today, the monument soars to an astounding 555 feet tall.

Whether you live on the East Coast, the West Coast or somewhere in between, there is a good chance that there is a man-made wonder located near you. Why not look one up when you head out for your next road trip?