Alliance in Stark County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Alliance-Birthplace of Ohio's State Flower - The Scarlet Carnation
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, November 16, 2014
1. Alliance-Birthplace of Ohio's State Flower - The Scarlet Carnation Marker
In 1866, Alliance physician, amateur horticulturalist, and politician Dr. Levi Lamborn propagated the scarlet carnation from French seedlings in greenhouses at this site. Opposing William McKinley for the 18th Congressional District in 1876, Lamborn presented the future president with a carnation boutonniere before each debate. McKinley, successful in those debates, continued to use the carnation as a good-luck charm, wearing the carnation in his lapel as president. On September 14, 1901, moments after removing the flower from his lapel and giving it to a young admirer at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, President McKinley was killed by an assassin's bullet. The Ohio General Assembly passed a joint resolution naming the scarlet carnation the state flower on February 3, 1904, as it "represented a token of love and reverence for the Ohio president." On April 1, 1959, the Ohio Legislature proclaimed Alliance "The Carnation City."
Erected 2004 by Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 20-76.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #25 William McKinley
this page online
Location. 40° 55.312′ N, 81° 6.41′ W. Marker is in Alliance, Ohio, in Stark County. Marker is on West Main Street, 0.1 miles west of South Union Avenue (Ohio Route 183), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alliance OH 44601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Last Post Meeting in Ohio Held in This Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); In Commemoration of the Veterans of the Civil War (approx. 0.4 miles away); Spanish-American War Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Christ United Methodist Church (approx. half a mile away); Mabel Hartzell (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Crossing (approx. 0.6 miles away); Abraham Lincoln (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Deceased of Co. F. 115th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alliance.
Also see . . .
1. Greater Alliance Carnation Festival. Website homepage (Submitted on November 16, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. Ohio State Flower – Scarlet Carnation. ProFlowers website entry (Submitted on May 22, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, November 16, 2014
2. Alliance-Birthplace of Ohio's State Flower - The Scarlet Carnation Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 634 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 16, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
