Looking back on the history of golf courses, it seems that the game goes through periods of time where "mass" extinctions occur with golf courses.
Like a biological mass extinction, golf mass extinctions tend to mark the end of a design era and the ushering in of a new one.
Some eras I can think of:
The late teens: Old courses at Aronimink, Merion, Philly Cricket, Huntingdon Valley (not sure what else outside the Philly area, Lido?)
The depression: Can't think of any NLEs, but a lot of courses had to cut back maintenance budgets therefore changing a lot of fundamental aspects.
Now: Can only think of Blue Heron Pines East specifically, but it would seem a lot of courses are being plowed under for housing.
Any additions to any of these eras?