Welcome to the Historical Marker Database
Marker of the Week
Remains of the Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany
The Berlin Wall, the physical manifestation of the allegorical Iron Curtain that separated the “Free World” from Communist totalitarianism, fell in 1989. But it was this week in 1961 that the East German government began its construction because too many people were leaving without permission. Contributing Correspondent Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland, submitted this entry in 2008.Article fetched in less than 1 ms.
We’ve Got an iPhone App!
Take a Tour of the Database
Click on the star button in the menu above. Repeat. Every time you click, you will be shown a different marker at random.More Than 135 Thousand!
HMdb MARKER COUNT
135143
Hundreds added weekly. ...▼
Historical Marker Facts
How many historical markers are there in the United States? We’ve found 117,665 so far. Adding more daily.
What state has the most historical markers? We’ve found the most in New York. Virginia, Pennsylvania, California, and Texas round out the top five.
How many historical markers are there in Canada? We’ve found 2,536 so far. We’re always looking for more.
What province has the most historical markers? We’ve found the most in Ontario. Nova Scotia, Quebec, New Brunswick, and British Columbia round out the top five.
Markers Recently Added
| Today • | Place of the Iroquois Bones Brimley, Michigan |
| • | Belle Haven Park Alexandria, Virginia |
| • | Abraham Matthews Aberdare, Wales, United Kingdom |
| • | Surratt Tavern Clinton, Maryland |
| • | Louise F. Cosca Regional Park Clinton, Maryland |
| • | Signal From Shore St. Augustine, Florida |
| • | Mary Alice Rogers Rosemead, California |
| • | The History of Libbey Bowl Ojai, California |
| • | Dedicated to the Memory Oxon Hill, Maryland |
| • | St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church Oxon Hill, Maryland |
| • | Life on H Street Atlas District, Washington, DC |
| • | Anishinabeg Brimley, Michigan |
| • | Logan Community Center Logan, Utah |
| • | Glacial Gifts Brimley, Michigan |
| • | Community Retirement Home Port Arthur, Texas |
| • | and more ... |
Most Viewed Markers This Year
| 1 • | To the Faithful Slaves Fort Mill, South Carolina |
| 2 • | Confederate Soldiers McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania |
| 3 • | Elizabeth Mills Riverfront Park Leesburg, Virginia |
| 4 • | Last Confederate Bivouac McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania |
| 5 • | Seven Confederate Brothers Windsor, Virginia |
| 6 • | Confederate Defenders of Charleston Charleston, South Carolina |
| 7 • | 90 mm M-2 Anti-Aircraft Gun Greenville, South Carolina |
| 8 • | John Wilkes Booth Port Royal, Virginia |
| 9 • | 457th Bombardment Group (H) Pooler, Georgia |
| 10 • | Influenza Epidemic Victims Cabot, Pennsylvania |
Tag Pages to Create Lists
When you are signed in, you will see these small buttons ➀ ➁ ➂ ➃ ➄ on marker pages and search results. Click on them to tag that marker. Return to the page to see what you've tagged and to create lists and maps.
To get started, click on to sign in. First time users can register from there. Tag and map your next weekend outing!
History Happened Here
National and global events all happened somewhere, and historical markers mark
Frontiersman, Soldier,
Writer, Astronaut
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 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!
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.
Suggestions? Problems?
We want to hear from you. Send a note to the editors.Want a daily email of new entries?
Google's FeedBurner will send you an email every afternoon listing new entries we've published in the last 24 hours. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of each daily email.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
You can add markers yourself. It's easy! Check marker submission guidelines, then click to get started. Adding photos, links and commentary is just as easy: go the marker's page and click on the links at the top or bottom of the page.
HMdb.org Cards
HMdb.org 3½" x 2" cards are now available. |
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.
Recently Modified Marker Entries
| Today • | Fort Willard Alexandria, Virginia |
| • | Fort Willard Alexandria, Virginia |
| • | Defenses of Washington Alexandria, Virginia |
| • | The Mary Surratt House Clinton, Maryland |
| • | John Wilkes Booth Clinton, Maryland |
| • | Thrift School Clinton, Maryland |
| • | Stop 7: Laramie Formation (68 mya) Clay Pits Fault, Fire Clay Mining, Reclamation Golden, Colorado |
| • | Stop 7a: White Ash Mine Golden, Colorado |
| • | "uncertainty and dread" Gettysburg, Pennsylvania |
| • | Remains of the Berlin Wall Berlin, Berlin, Germany |
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HMdb is Mobile-Ready
On your cell phone’s browser. Want to know what that marker you just passed said? Fire up this website on your phone’s browser and hit the button. Set up a shortcut now so you'll be ready next time you’re out.Recommend This Website
Or use buttons at the bottom of each marker page to recommend individual markers.
Middle School History Project
Teachers! Are you looking for a history project idea that will actively involve your students and their parents? Take a look at this historical marker passport project used by teachers in the Wilson NY School District for 7th and 8th grade students. Download the customizable two-page Microsoft Word document by clicking here.
NOTICE
Do you have some history that you want to publish on the Internet? HMdb.org can provide hosting space at HistoryArchives.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.
Do you have some history that you want to publish on the Internet? HMdb.org can provide hosting space at HistoryArchives.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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