Lucy the Elephant Hotel in New Jersey
In 1881, a building in the form of an elephant was built. It was known as Lucy the Elephant Bazaar and came complete with winding staircases that led to the howdah, a type of seat where guests could ride on top of the giant elephant. Unfortunately, poor Lucy caught on fire back when the building was being used as a tavern.
In another incident, Lucy’s howdah was blown off. And by 1960, the building was so run down that the city had it condemned. But the remnants of what it was remained and a committee was eventually brought in to restore her to her former glory.