Marker Series - The Historical Marker Database

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MARKER DATABASE “Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”

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Marker Series

Believe It or Not
		Some markers tell fantastical or incredulous stories which get even more surprising and outrageous when you do some research.
Canals
	• Cheasapeake and Ohio Canal
		Markers associated with the canal from Washington, DC, to Cumberland, Maryland, now a national park.
	• Erie Canal
		Markers related to the Erie Canal extending from the Hudson River to Lake Erie.
	• Ohio and Erie Canal
		Completed in 1833 and linking Lake Erie with the Ohio River, it spurred economic development along its route until the late 1800s.
	• Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal
		Built between 1835 and 1839, the 45-mile long Susquehanna (PA) and Tidewater (MD) Canal ran from Wrightsville, Pennsylvania to Havre de Grace, Maryland.
	• The Miami & Erie Canal
		Built between 1825 and 1845 the 249 mile long Miami and Erie Canal connected Cincinnati, Ohio to Toledo, Ohio.
	• Wabash & Erie Canal
		Measuring 468 miles long, the Wabash & Erie Canal was the longest artificial water way in the United States.
Civil War
	• A State Divided: The Civil War in Missouri
		Markers erected by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to commemorate the Civil War in Missouri.
	• Antietam Campaign War Department Markers
		238 historical tablets were erected between 1890 and 1906 to describe the Antietam Campaign.
	• Battlefield Markers Association
		Markers erected in the 1920s and 30s by the association, also called the "Western Division" to seperate from the Freeman Markers.
	• Battlefield Trails - Civil War
		Links to "trail heads" for battlefield tours. Each uses the related markers section to provide a virtual tour of a battlefield or portion of a battlefield. Please use the Click to map all markers shown on this page option on each related markers page to see a map of each "trail."
	• Chickamauga Campaign Heritage Trail
		A series of markers which follow the Chickamauga Campaign.
	• Civil War to Civil Rights
		A set of walking tours through the nation's capital featuring Civil War and Civil Rights related sites.
	• D.S. Freeman (Richmond Battlefields)
		A set of markers placed by the Battlefield Markers Association starting in the 1920s. Historian Douglas Southall Freeman wrote the inscriptions, hence they are commonly referred to as "Freeman Markers".
	• Defenses of Washington
		Collection of markers detailing the wartime fortifications around Washington, D.C.
	• Gettysburg Campaign
		Series of Pennsylvania markers describing events leading up to and following the Battle of Gettysburg.
	• Lincoln 1861 Inaugural Train Stops
		Abraham Lincoln traveled 1,904 miles by train from Springfield, Illinois, to Washington, D.C. for his inaugural, typically giving speeches from the rear platform at stops.
	• Maryland Civil War Trails
	• Missouri's Civil War
		Markers erected by Missouri's Civil War Heritage Foundation to commemorate the war across Missouri.
	• Morgan's Raid - Jefferson County, Ohio
		In 1913, the citizens of Jefferson County erected 14 bronze tablets to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan's passage through that eastern-Ohio county on the last two days of his ill-fated Indiana-Ohio cavalry raid. Of the fourteen markers, one tablet was stolen in 2008 (#6) and another (#13) has been missing -- concrete base included -- for decades.
	• North Carolina Civil War Trails
	• Pennsylvania Civil War Trails
	• Tennessee Civil War Trails
	• Virginia Civil War Trails
	• West Virginia Civil War Trails
Education
	• Carnegie Libraries
		Public libraries built with money donated by American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
	• Rosenwald Schools
		Julius Rosenwald, president of Sears Roebuck established a foundation that funded 4,977 schools for African American's throughout the south from 1912 to 1932.
	• University of Wisconsin
George Washington Slept Here
		He slept in a lot of places.
Historical Society Collections
	• Daughters of the American Revolution
		Markers erected by all chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
	• Daughters of Utah Pioneers
		Markers reflecting primarily Mormon history.
	• E Clampus Vitus
		Preserving Western Heritage
	• Looking for Lincoln
		A series of over 200 markers in Illinois highlight incidents in Lincoln's life.
	• Maryland, Washington County Historical Advisory Committee
	• Massachusetts Bay Colony—Tercentenary Commission Markers
		This series holds the Massachusetts Bay Colony markers erected in 1930, the 300th anniversary of the colony.
	• Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West
		The NSGW was formed by Albert Maver Winn in 1875 to preserve the California historic buildings and sites of the Gold Rush and prior. The only requirement to be a member is to have been born in California. The sister organization, NDGW, followed soon thereafter.
	• New Jersey, Bergen County Historical Society
		Designating county historic sites with blue and silver markers since 1960.
	• New Jersey, Hunterdon County Cultural and Heritage Commission
	• New Jersey, Morris County Heritage Commission
		Marking significant historic sites throughout the county since 1975.
	• New Jersey, Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders
	• New York, Historical Society of Rockland County
		Rich historical heritage of Rockland County, NY.
	• Ohio, Delaware County Historical Society
		Markers erected by the Delaware County Historical Society.
	• Pennsylvania, The Harrisburg History Project
		A visually interactive experience comparing the “then and now” appearance of Harrisburg using old photographs taken, in most instances, from the marker's current location.
	• Sons of Utah Pioneers
		Markers reflecting primarily Mormon history.
	• South Carolina, Abbeville County Historical Society/Commission
	• South Carolina, Aiken County Historical Commission
	• South Carolina, Aiken County Historical Society
	• South Carolina, Anderson County Historical Association/Society
		The first historical preservation organization in Anderson County, South Carolina.
	• South Carolina, Calhoun County Historical Commission/Society
	• South Carolina, Cherokee County Historical and Preservation Society
	• South Carolina, Chester County Historical Commission
	• South Carolina, Chesterfield County Historical and Preservation Societies
	• South Carolina, Colleton County Historical Society
	• South Carolina, Greenville County Historic Preservation Commission
	• South Carolina, Greenwood County Historical Society
	• South Carolina, Laurens County Historical Society
	• South Carolina, McCormick County Historical Commission
	• South Carolina, McCormick County Historical Society
	• South Carolina, Preservation Society of Charleston
	• South Carolina, Saluda County Historical Commission
	• South Carolina, Saluda County Historical Society
	• South Carolina, Union County Historical Society
	• South Carolina, Williamsburg County Historical Society
	• South Carolina, Williamsburg County, Three Rivers Historical Society
	• South Carolina, York County Historical Commission
	• Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association
		Organized in 1937, the association erected more than a hundred historic monuments and markers from Nauvoo, IL to Utah and throughout the West.
	• Virginia, Fairfax County History Commission
	• Virginia, Prince William County Historical Commission
	• Wisconsin, Dane County Historical Society
	• Wisconsin, Madison Landmarks Commission
Markers Attached to Sculpture
		Markers attached to or describing sculpture.
Markers with Artwork
		The Markers with Artwork series includes markers that are works of art in their own right. Many have bas-relief depictions or etchings. This series does not include markers attached to other artwork.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
		Markers related to the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Music
	• Mississippi Blues Trail
National Historic Landmarks
		"Nationally significant historic places designated by the Secretary of the Interior because they possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States. Today, fewer than 2,500 historic places bear this national distinction."
Postal Mail and Philately
		Postal history, stamps, air mail, but not the Pony Express, which has its own series under Roads and Trails.
Railroads
	• Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O)
		The first railroad in the Americas and for a time the world's longest railroad.
	• Erie & Kalamazoo Railroad
		The first railroad to operate west of the Allegheny Mountains was Toledo's colorful "Erie and Kalamazoo."
	• Manassas Gap Railroad
		This Civil War era railroad in Virginia is now a 60 mile Norfolk Southern line that runs from the Lower (Northern) Shenandoah Valley to Manassas.
	• Orange and Alexandria Railroad
		Now part of Norfolk Southern, this rail line connected Alexandria, Virginia with central Virginia and played an important role in the Civil War.
	• Pennsylvania Railroad
		Markers related to America's largest railroad by traffic/revenue throughout the twentieth century and at one time the world's largest publicly-traded corporation.
	• Transcontinental Railroad
	• Washington and Old Dominion Railroad
		Today a 45-mile Rails to Trails path from Alexandria to Purcellville in Virginia.
Roads and Trails
	• Braddock’s Road and Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock
		The British General had to cut a road through the Appalachian Mountains to get to the French and Indians. The road was a triumph, but his military campaign was not.
	• California Trail
		This Trail carried people to California following the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill. Westward to western Wyoming it shares much of its route with the Pony Express Trail, the Oregon Trail, the Mormon Pioneer Trail, and the Union Pacific route of the Transcontinental Railroad.
	• Dominguez y Escalante Expedition
		Markers commemorating the 1,800 mile expedition by Fathers Dominguez and Escalante from Santa Fe into Utah in 1776.
	• El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
		El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Spanish for "The Royal Road of the Interior Land") was a 1,600 mile (2560 kilometer) long trade route between Mexico City and San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico, from 1598 to 1882. The 404 mile (646 kilometer) section of the route within the United States was proclaimed as a National Historic Trail on October 13, 2000.
	• Great Indian Warrior / Trading Path
		A series sponsored by National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, marking Native American and Colonial era paths through the back country.
	• Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
		Congress established the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail in 1990. The trail commemorates Anza's legacy of establishing the first Spanish overland expedition to settle California.
	• Lewis & Clark Expedition
		Sent by Jefferson to explore the far west, the Corps of Discovery left Pittsburgh May 14, 1804 and reached the mouth of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest on November 15, 1805.
	• Lincoln Highway
		Once the Nation's premier highway, it helped spur the development of enduring highways around the country.
	• Mark Twain Bret Harte Trail
	• Mormon Pioneer Trail
		As many as 80,000 people migrated to Utah via the Mormon Pioneer Trail from 1847 until the Transcontinental Railroad was completed. It shares much of its route with the Pony Express Trail, the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, and the Union Pacific portion of the Transcontinental Railroad.
	• Oregon Trail
		The Oregon Trail was the only practical corridor to reach the entire western United States from 1836 – 1869. Over half a million people went west during the Oregon Trail’s “glory years.”
	• Pony Express National Historic Trail
		These are markers about the Pony Express found along the trail that ran from Sacramento, California to St. Joseph, Missouri.
	• Santa Fe Trail
		This is an important trade route from New Franklin Mo (and parts west as the railroad moved west) to Santa Fe, Nm. The trail was in use from 1822 until the late 1880's.
	• The Historic National Road
		“The Road that Built the Nation.” The first (1811) federally funded road in the U.S. ran from Baltimore, Maryland to Vandalia, Illinois.
	• The Mojave Road (Old Government Road)
		The historic trail stretching 138 miles across the Mojave Desert. It was used by Native Americans, the Juan Baustista de Anza Expedition of 1776, pioneers, US Army and gold seekers.
	• The Overland Trail
		Established by Ben Holliday in 1862 from the remnants of the Overland Stage, this was the principal route for mail and passengers between northeastern Colorado and southwestern Wyoming in the 1860s.
	• Trail of Tears
		The Indian Removal Act of 1830 opened a dark chapter in American history. Thousands of Native-Americans died during their forced removal from their eastern homelands to the Oklahoma Territory, along what is now called the Trail of Tears.
	• William Bartram Trails
		William Bartram traveled the Southeast United States as the Royal Botanist in 1773-1777.
	• Wisconsin’s Maritime Trails
		Centuries of exploration, travel, commerce, and recreation on the Great Lakes have left an impressive trail of maritime cultural resources along Wisconsin's Great Lakes shorelines and bottomlands.
Signers of the Declaration of Independence
		Markers related to signers of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Spirit of the American Doughboy - E. M. Viquesney
Statue of Liberty Replicas
		Replicas of the Statue of Liberty. More than two hundred were erected in 39 states by the Boy Scouts and civic groups during the 1950s. This series also includes other replicas erected at other times.
Stephen Tyng Mather
		The first National Park Service Director. Identical markers found in many National Parks.
The Spirit of 76, America's Bicentennial Celebration
		During the time America was celebrating its Bicentennial (1776-1976), historic markers were erected to commemorate different events or projects. This Marker Series is for those historic markers that have the Bicentennial logo, were inspired by, have reference to it in someway within its context or was placed by a Bicentennial committee, commission etc.
Walking and Driving Tours
	• Arizona, Historic Florence Walking Tour
		A 1 ½ mile self-guided tour through the Florence Townsite Historic District. You can pickup a brochure at the Florence Visitor's Center, 291 N. Bailey St.
	• Arizona, Pistols, Plows and Petticoats Historic Driving Tour
		A guide to Round Valley's Historic Sites. 28 native sandstone markers are placed along this "valley loop" around Springerville and Eagar, Arizona.
	• Arizona, The Presidio Trail
		A 2 ½ mile loop trail through downtown Tucson, highlighting historic sites. Nicknamed the Turquoise Trail for the turquoise stripe along the sidewalk.
	• Florida, St. Augustine Freedom Trail
	• Gaslamp Quarter - San Diego
		Markers have been placed on over 90 historic buildings in the Historic Gaslamp District of Downtown San Diego.
	• Kanab, Utah "Walk of Fame"
		Actors who have made western movies or television series episodes in and around Kanab, Utah, also known as "Little Hollywood," and are recognized by markers.
	• Lincoln Home National Historic Site
		Markers along 8th Street at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site in Springfield, IL.
	• Maryland, Baltimore City historical markers
		Silver colored historical markers, erected on public landmarks in Baltimore by the city governement, in cooperation with various local organizations.
	• Maryland, Bolton Hill Historic District
		A series of blue enamel historical markers in the Bolton Hill Neighborhood of Baltimore, illustrating the lives of historic residents of the neighborhood. As of April, 2008, the list is complete.
	• Maryland, Chesapeake City Historic District
	• Maryland, Fort McHenry
	• Maryland, Gwynns Falls Trail
	• Maryland, Lost Rockville – 1801 to 1850
		The "Lost Rockville" historical series was created to celebrate the City's 200th anniversary in 2001.
	• Maryland, Rockville's African American Heritage Walking Tour
	• Maryland, Saint Mary's City
	• Pennsylvania, Battle of Hanover Walking Tour
		Eighteen wayside exhibits depicting points of interest and events during the Battle of Hanover, the first Civil War battle on Pennsylvania soil.
	• Portland (Maine) Freedom Trail
		Commemorating people associated with the Underground Railroad and anti-slavery movement in Portland.
	• South Carolina Heritage Corridor
		Designated by Congress in 1996 as a National Heritage Area, the Heritage Corridor runs from the foothills of Oconee County in the northwestern corner of the state, along the Savannah River, through the Edisto River Basin, to the port city of Charleston.
	• South Carolina, Abbeville Historical Sites Tour
		A walking/driving tour that covers forty historic sites in and around Abbeville's Court Square.
	• South Carolina, Spartanburg Music Trail
		A walking trail through Spartanburg's historic and restored downtown, showcasing the musicians who were born in or lived in Spartanburg, S.C.
	• Sutter Creek Gold Mine Trail
		A 15 mile tour highlighting the Gold Rush era mines in and near Sutter Creek. Markers are placed from 1/4 to 1/2 mile apart. Please do not trespass on private property.
	• Utah, Salt Lake City Downtown Walking Tour
		Utah Heritage Foundation tour to 58 historic buildings in downtown Salt Lake City.
	• Virginia, City of Falls Church
	• Virginia, Historic Occoquan
		Each of the markers features a location or person important to Occoquan’s history. They are all within easy walking distance of each other.
	• Virginia, Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail
		Forty sites along the Norfolk Heritage Cannonball Trail provide a "story-telling stage" for intepreting Norfolk's rich and multi-faceted history.
	• Virginia, Old Town Alexandria
		Alexandria does publish a brochure describing a self-guided walking tour. Most of the sites listed are listed in that brochure.
	• Virginia, Wartime Manassas Walking Tour
		Also nearby is a Driving Tour. Start at the Manassas Museum.
	• Washington, D.C. African American Heritage Trail
		A set of more than 100 sites celebrating African American history in Washington, D.C.
War of 1812
	• Battlefield Trails - War of 1812
		Links to "trail heads" for battlefield tours. Each uses the related markers section to provide a virtual tour of a battlefield or portion of a battlefield. Please use the Click to map all markers shown on this page option on each related markers page to see a map of each "trail."
War, US Indian
	• Black Hawk War
		A series of markers documenting the Black Hawk War.
	• Indian Wars Battlefield Trails
	• Potawatomi - Trail of Death
		In 1838 over 850 Potawatomi Indians were forced by gunpoint off thier homeland in Indiana and 'marched' approximately 660 miles to the State of Kansas for relocation - - causing approximately 42 deaths along the way.
War, US Revolutionary
	• Battlefield Trails - Revolutionary War
		Links to "trail heads" for battlefield tours. Each uses the related markers section to provide a virtual tour of a battlefield or portion of a battlefield. Please use the Click to map all markers shown on this page option on each related markers page to see a map of each "trail."
	• General Henry Knox Trail
		56 monument sites, for the 56 day long journey, both in New York and Massachusetts, There were thirty monuments erected within New York State to mark the trail circa 1927.
	• The Sullivan Expedition Against the Iroquois Indians
	• The Washington-Rochambeau Route
		In 1781 the two Generals met in White Plains, New York, crossed the Hudson River and marched 450 miles south to Yorktown in Virginia where their and Lafayette’s armies defeated the British, ending the war.
War, Valor
	• Medal of Honor Recipients
		Markers associated with recipients of the Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States.
War, WWII
	• Desert Training Center
		The Desert Training Center was established by General George S. Patton Jr., to prepare American troops for battle during World War II. It covered 18,000 square miles and was the largest military training ground ever to exist. Located in the Mojave Desert it included areas from Nevada, Arizona and Southern California.
Whiskey Rebellion
		Opposition to a tax on whiskey in Western Pennsylvania was suppressed by President Washington in 1794,