La Plata in Charles County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Star Memorial Garden
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 26, 2019
1. Star Memorial Garden Marker
The La Plata Community Garden Club dedicates this garden to all those who restored and rebuilt our town following the devastating tornado on April 28, 2002.
The granite star in the center of the courtyard commemorates the star which stood on this site atop the original water tower until it was destroyed by the tornado.
The brick walkway marks the path of the tornado through the town.
The five benches memorialize those who died in the 2002 tornado and the 13 school children who died in the tornado which struck La Plata on November 9, 1926.
More powerful than the forces of nature is the spirit of the townspeople of La Plata.
Erected 2007 by a Plata Community Garden Club.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is April 28, 2002.
Location. 38° 31.74′ N, 76° 58.75′ W. Marker is in La Plata, Maryland, in Charles County. Marker is on Firehouse Alley, 0.1 miles west of St. Mary's Avenue. Marker and the Star Memorial Garden is located behind the Charles County Board of Elections office at 201 Charles St, La Plata, MD 20646. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Plata MD 20646, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Christ Church Episcopal (within shouting distance of this marker); September 11 Memorial
this page online
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 26, 2019
2. Star Memorial Garden Marker
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 26, 2019
3. La Plata Star Marker
La Plata Star
Erected December 1949
Destroyed by Tornado April 28, 2002
Rebuilt October 20, 2004 through the generosity of:
Mr. & Mrs. Carl R Baldus, Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Croft, George Kenneth Hayden, Jr., Mr. & Mrs. Fred R. Keith, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph B. Martin, Jr. (In memory of Snorter Martin), Thomas F. Mudd, Mr. & Mrs. David H. Posey, Johnson Crane Services, Inc., La Plata Lions Club, Rotary Club of La Plata, Southern Maryland Electric Coop, Town of La Plata.
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 26, 2019
4. Star Memorial Garden Benches
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 26, 2019
5. Star Memorial Garden
National Park Service, Thomas Stone National Historic Site, January 26, 2019
6. Those Who Made This Garden a Reality marker
The La Plata Community Garden Club, The Facchina Group of Companies, LLC, Heritage Green Development, LLC, Town of La Plata, Commissioners of Charles County, Southernwood Building Services, Chaney Foundation, Automatic Rain Lawn Sprinklers, Charles County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Maxi Mulch of Newburg, Ken Dixon Automotive, The Solid Rock Company, Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland, District II, Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, PA, American Community Properties Trust (ACPT), Raymond Funeral Service, Rotary Club of Charles County-La Plata.
(Logo of Rotary International)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2019. This page has been viewed 316 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 20, 2019. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
