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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 • | The Thomas Viaduct Relay, Maryland | | 2 • | Convict Lake Mammoth Lakes, California | | 3 • | Golden Spike Nenana, Alaska | | 4 • | Robert F. Kennedy Speech on Death of Martin L. King Indianapolis, Indiana | | 5 • | Japanese Stone Lantern The Tidal Basin, Washington, DC | | 6 • | South Point Complex Naalehu, Hawaii | | 7 • | Carleton Martello Tower Saint John, New Brunswick | | 8 • | Morgan’s Raid Salineville, Ohio | | 9 • | A Trolley Returns to Glen Echo Glen Echo, Maryland | | 10 • | The Clara Barton House Glen Echo, Maryland |
Table composed in 63 ms.
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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 | Great Ship Lock Richmond, Virginia
 Sometimes historical markers contain more information than their often short titles imply. Such is the case with this marker, submitted by Contributing Editor Bernard Fisher of Mechanicsville, Virginia. This marker provides a great background on the area's rich history and events leading up to constructing a canal ship lock in this area, now a popular park. Previous Markers of the Week.
Article fetched in 31 ms. |
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Markers Recently Added
| Nov 20 • | The North Church / An Teampall Thuaidh Monasterboice, Leinster, Ireland | | Nov 20 • | Alviso Adobe Community Park Pleasanton, California | | Nov 20 • | Round Tower / An Cloigtheach Monasterboice, Leinster, Ireland | | Nov 20 • | Town Hall Moorestown, New Jersey | | Nov 20 • | Morgan Hollinshead Clock Shop Site Moorestown, New Jersey | | Nov 20 • | First Moorestown, New Jersey Friends Meeting House Moorestown, New Jersey | | Nov 20 • | Benjamin Smith Barton Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | | Nov 19 • | Adam Crawford House Beverly, West Virginia | | Nov 19 • | Wisconsin State Capitol Madison, Wisconsin | | Nov 19 • | Pioneer Cemetery Lynchburg, Tennessee | | Nov 19 • | Crockett Homestead Lynchburg, Tennessee | | Nov 19 • | Moore County Lynchburg, Tennessee | | Nov 19 • | Historic Pughsville Neighborhood Winter Haven, Florida | | Nov 19 • | St John's Episcopal Church Monticello, New York | | Nov 19 • | Baillet Sisters Tullahoma, Tennessee |
All markers added in the last week, in the last 30 days.Table composed in less than 1 ms.
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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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HMdb Goes Mobile
On your cell phone. When you’re out and about use your cell phone or PDA to find out what markers are near you. More info.
In your GPS unit. Does your GPS device support GPX files? You can download the locations of historical markers into your GPS unit with these files. Push the right buttons and your GPS will tell you when a marker is near; or tell you how to get to them. Some units will also display the text of the marker. GPX Download index. Or get a TomTom POI file.
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Keep An Eye on Those Markers
Enter your town in the Search by Place search box on the More Search Options (or use the County list) 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 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 place where the marker was is necessary for proof. Also, please take a few minutes and inform your local historical society.
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Recently Modified Marker Entries | | Nov 20 • | The Law Offices of John C. Calhoun Abbeville, South Carolina | | Nov 20 • | First Secession Meeting Columns Abbeville, South Carolina | | Nov 20 • | Site of Stockbridge Mansion Scituate, Massachusetts | | Nov 20 • | The Bundy-Barksdale-McGowan House Abbeville, South Carolina | | Nov 19 • | Secession Hill Abbeville, South Carolina | | Nov 19 • | Monasterboice / Mainistir Bhuithe Monasterboice, Leinster, Ireland | | Nov 19 • | Patrick Calhoun Burial Grounds Abbeville, South Carolina | | Nov 19 • | 80th New York Infantry Gettysburg, Pennsylvania | | Nov 19 • | Spier's Turnout Bartow, Georgia | | Nov 19 • | Dr. Charles Alexander Warfield Cooksville, Maryland | | Table composed in 16 ms. |
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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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Do you have some history that you want to publish on the Internet? HMdb.org can provide hosting space at LocalHistoryArchives.org at no charge. What you want to publish does not have to be related to a historical marker. For more information, contact an editor.
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