Welcome to the Historical Marker Database
Public history cast in metal, carved on stone, or embedded in resin
Marker of the Week
San Francisco Brewing Company San Francisco, California
This was the site of the infamous Barbary Coast Saloon, the Billy Goat, operated by Pigeon-Toed Sal. Contributing Editor Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California filed this entry in 2012.Article fetched in 16 ms.
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 entry at random.More Than 174 Thousand!
HMdb MARKER COUNT
174410
Hundreds added monthly. ...▼
The latest entry was published only 29 minutes ago.Historical Marker Facts
These counts are as of last night and also include war memorials.
How many historical markers are there in the United States? We’ve found 163,147 so far. Adding more daily.
What state has the most historical markers? We’ve found the most in New York. Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, and California round out the top five.
How many historical markers are there in Canada? We’ve found 3,092 so far. We’re always looking for more.
Entries Recently Added
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Most Viewed Entries This Year
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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, maps, and spreadsheets.
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.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
3½" x 2" wallet cards are available. |
Keep An Eye on Those Markers
Get a list of markers near where you live and work and
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.
HMdb is Mobile-Ready
Use 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.
Attention Historical Societies!
Do you have a list of historical markers and war memorials on your website? Is it up to date?The Historical Marker Database can help. All you need to do is paste 12 lines of code on a page on your website. That code automatically fetches and displays our latest list of markers for your city, county, or parish every time someone opens your page.
Your web designer can easily format the results to match the style used on the other pages on your website. You will get just the list; no logos, advertising, tracking cookies, or other nasties will be added to your list.
Call or email publisher@HMdb.org to get a mock-up of what our list would look like on your website, and to get answers to any question you may have.
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.