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History Happened Here
National and global events all happened somewhere, and historical markers mark the place where
Frontiersman, Soldier,
Writer, Astronaut |
many occurred. But the richness of history is in its local details, details that can be insignificant on the global stage: the home of an individual who made a difference; a natural feature, building, byway; or something interesting that happened nearby. History is not just about the high and mighty.
Markers tell stories and point out facts. There is one at the site the northernmost battle of the U.S. Civil War and another at the southernmost point point in the United States (can you guess where?). There is one next to a 17th century Japanese stone lantern symbolizing 20th century peace, and another one less than 20 miles away reminding us of the Nike missile sites that were built the same year the lantern was dedicated. They tell of battles,
Generals Captured in their
Union Suits, Literally! |
massacres and hangings; of humanitarians, educators, and a beloved stagecoach horse; of mountains, lakes, rivers, bridges, roads, and other natural and man-made wonders.
There are countless thousands of great stories marked by markers—and some boring ones too. Some markers simply recite facts while others are insightful, obscure, cryptic, patriotic, fascinating, sad, funny, or just downright bizarre. Many of those markers are on these pages, others are waiting for you to discover and add them to this database.
So hit the road and experience history first-hand yourself. History happened nearby.
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Are You A Collector?
Do you collect historical markers? Would you like to start? If you’re a collector, or want to get started, 
Clara Barton,
Steamboat Gothic
Aficionado |
consider uploading your discoveries to this site. Even if someone else beat you to the submission, you can still add a fresh photo, better directions, or some additional insight into the subject described. What do you get in return? We’ll credit each submission by publishing your name and town on that page, unless, of course, you wish to remain anonymous.
You can add markers yourself. It's easy! Check marker submission guidelines, then click Add A Marker to get started. Adding photos, links and comments is just as easy: go the the marker's page and click on the links at the top or bottom of the page.
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Top 10 Most Viewed Markers
| 1 • | Convict Lake Mammoth Lakes, California | | 2 • | Robert F. Kennedy Speech on Death of Martin L. King Indianapolis, Indiana | | 3 • | Japanese Stone Lantern The Tidal Basin, Washington, DC | | 4 • | Morgan’s Raid Salineville, Ohio | | 5 • | The Clara Barton House Glen Echo, Maryland | | 6 • | Carleton Martello Tower Saint John, New Brunswick | | 7 • | The Thomas Viaduct Halethorpe, Maryland | | 8 • | Natural Bridge Natural Bridge, Virginia | | 9 • | Francis Scott Key Park Georgetown, Washington, DC | | 10 • | The Bicentennial Legacy Monument Zanesville, Ohio |
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HMdb.org Cards
HMdb.org 3½" x 2" cards are now available. We’ll mail contributors a dozen or more at no charge. Simply send a note to the editor with a mailing address and state how many you would like. Sign one and put it in your wallet to show you are a contributor to HMdb.org. It might come in handy when someone asks you what you’re doing next to a government installation with a camera. Hand the rest out to friends and curious bystanders. Your note will be discarded after the envelope is addressed.
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Marker of the Week | In 1648 Margaret Brent Asks for “Vote...And Voyce” St. Mary’s City, Maryland
 “America’s first feminist” preserved Lord Baltimore’s authority over the colony and put down a Protestant rebellion that threatened Maryland’s policy of religious toleration. But the Assembly did not give her vote or voice. Tom Fuchs, our Contributing Editor from Greenbelt Maryland, found this marker in a gazebo overlooking the St. Mary’s River. The marker depicts Mrs. Brent facing the Assemblymen demanding her vote. Previous Markers of the Week. |
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Markers Recently Added
| May 9 • | Southwest Bastion Alexandria, Virginia | | May 8 • | Town Clock / Kaminski Building Georgetown, South Carolina | | May 8 • | Kerr Place Onancock, Virginia | | May 8 • | Historic Cemetery Onancock, Virginia | | May 8 • | Entrance Gate to Fort Ward Alexandria, Virginia | | May 8 • | Genl. Edmund R. Bagwell Onancock, Virginia | | May 8 • | Fort Ward Alexandria, Virginia | | May 8 • | World Wars I and II Onancock, Virginia | | May 8 • | Hopkins and Sons; Hopkins and Brothers Onancock, Virginia | | May 8 • | Onancock Onancock, Virginia | | May 8 • | “Bohemia Mannor” Chesapeake City, Maryland | | May 8 • | Mizpah Church near Ulmer, South Carolina | | May 8 • | Buford's Bridge Ulmer, South Carolina | | May 8 • | Camp Van Schaick Cohoes, New York | | May 8 • | Camp Van Schaick Cohoes, New York |
All markers added in the last week, in the last 30 days.
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Take a Tour of the Database
Click on the three dots under the Search button at the top of the right hand margin. Repeat. Every time you click, you will be shown a different marker at random.
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Keep An Eye on Those Markers
Let us know when a marker goes missing.
Type your zip code into postal code search box at the bottom of the right margin to get a list of markers near where you live and work.
Keep an eye out for them when you're out on the road. You would be surprised how many disappear in the course of a year.
To report a missing marker, use the “Correct or Update This Page” link on the marker’s page and scroll down to the “Is Marker Missing?” section. A photo of the stump, hole in the ground, or other evidence would be useful. Also, please take a few minutes and inform your local historical society.
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Recently Added Photos | | May 8 • | Battle at Point of Rocks Point of Rocks, Maryland | | May 8 • | Transpeninsular Line Delmar, Maryland | | May 7 • | Freedom Trail St. Augustine, Florida | | May 7 • | All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | | May 7 • | World War II Memorial Southwest, Washington, DC | | May 7 • | Freedom Trail St. Augustine, Florida | | May 7 • | Episcopal High School Alexandria, Virginia | | May 6 • | Georgetown County Courthouse Georgetown, South Carolina | | May 6 • | The Belvedere Baltimore, Maryland | | May 6 • | Freedom Trail St. Augustine, Florida |
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Google Maps Links
Markers in this database have links to Google maps pinpointing their location.
HINT: Click on the Satellite button in the upper right of the maps to switch to a satellite image of the ground at that location. Once you do that you may be able to zoom in further using the Plus and Minus buttons on the left side of the map.
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HMdb Featured on Broadcast
Ted Landphair does two-minute stories on Americana for Voice of America radio, broadcast at various times over VOA’s English language service. Listen to this one, first broadcast February 20, 2008, entitled “Lots More People Can Now Read Those Roadside Signs.” Here is the illustrated transcript.
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NOTICE
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HMdb.org can provide hosting space at LocalHistoryArchives.org for web pages about local history at no charge, whether related to a marker or not, at the discretion of the editor. For more information, contact the editor.
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