Subic Bay Naval Base (The Philippines)
What Is It Now? A Tourist trap.
How That Happened: Once Americas largest overseas military installation, this was the base that didn't want to die. Originally built by the Spanish, Subic was seized by the U.S. during the Spanish-American War in 1899. It survived Japanese conquest and even the massive eruption of nearby Mount Pinatubo in 1991 only to be lost when its lease couldn't be extended in 1992. Visitors can now go wreck-diving to see sunken crafts from all the past conflicts involving the base (as well as savoring the freedom U.S. forces fought for when they check out the area's duty-free shopping).