Welcome to the Historical Marker Database

Marker of the Week

The Sultana Tragedy Marion, Arkansas

The worst mari­time disaster in U.S. history occurred just north of here this week in 1865 when this wooden steamboat exploded and caught fire. The ship was designed for 376 passengers plus freight but the greedy captain loaded 2155, most of them Union soldiers. 1192 died. This photograph, taken the day before her destruction, shows the crowd of passengers on the decks. Contributing Editor Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama, submitted this entry two weeks ago.
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Markers Recently Added

Today •	Roots of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral Shaw, Washington, DC
•	The Hollow Earth Monument Hamilton, Ohio
•	Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Los Angeles, California
•	The Albany Academy Albany, New York
•	Court House Grounds & Park St. Johnsbury, Vermont
•	Albany Medical College Albany, New York
•	Shelton – McMurphey House Eugene, Oregon
•	Free Emigrant Road Westfir, Oregon
•	Free Emigrant Road Oakridge, Oregon
•	Brigantine Galilee San Francisco, California
Apr 23 •	The Everhart Museum Scranton, Pennsylvania
•	Education Scranton, Pennsylvania
•	Scranton Iron Furnaces Historic Site Scranton, Pennsylvania
•	CNJ Railroad Scranton, Pennsylvania
•	CNJ Railroad Scranton, Pennsylvania
•	and more ...

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Most Viewed Markers This Year

1 •	The Sykesville Bypass Bridge Sykesville, Maryland
2 •	The Quest for Land Winchester, Kentucky
3 •	Major Gen Carl G. Schneider, USAF (Ret) Mesa, Arizona
4 •	Indians Poisoned At Peace Meeting West Point, Virginia
5 •	The Stono Rebellion (1739) Rantowles, South Carolina
6 •	Valhermoso Springs Valhermoso Springs, Alabama
7 •	90 mm M-2 Anti-Aircraft Gun Greenville, South Carolina
8 •	Great Falls Nike Missile Site Great Falls, Virginia
9 •	The Reverend John McMillan, D.D. Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
10 •	Haitian Monument Savannah, Georgia

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History Happened Here

National and global events all happened some­where, and historical markers mark the place where 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 just 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 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, 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.

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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Are You A Collector?

Do you collect historical markers? Would you like to start? If you’re a collector, or want to get started, 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 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. 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.

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 •	Confederate Armory Greenville, South Carolina
•	Tecumseh Tecumseh, Nebraska
•	Fort Stephenson Fremont, Ohio
•	Capitol of Territorial Oregon Corvallis, Oregon
•	Lewis Cass Cassopolis, Michigan
•	Original Course of Forbes Road Ligonier, Pennsylvania
•	Fort Lernoult Detroit, Michigan
•	Hull's Landing 1812 Windsor, Ontario
•	Salubria Changed the Future of the Potomac Valley Oxon Hill, Maryland
•	McCook Field Dayton, Ohio
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Recommend This Website

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 Near You button. Set up a shortcut now so you'll be ready next time you’re out.
 
There’s an app for that. There's our app (described elsewhere on this page) and there is Niantic’s “Field Trip” for iPhone and Android which has tapped the Historical Marker Database as one of its Historic Places sources. Drive or walk past a historical marker and the application will show you a “card” with the text and photos from this website. It will read the text outloud to you if you configure it right. It is available for download at no charge. More info at fieldtripper.com.
 
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.

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.

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 transcript.