Historical Markers and War Memorials in Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is the county seat for Vigo County
Terre Haute is in Vigo County
Vigo County(64) ► ADJACENT TO VIGO COUNTY Clay County(6) ► Parke County(41) ► Sullivan County(12) ► Vermillion County(16) ► Clark County, Illinois(31) ► Edgar County, Illinois(18) ►
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On Dresser Drive at South First Street, on the right when traveling west on Dresser Drive.
Composer of Indiana State Song, "On the Banks of the Wabash," and other songs popular in the Gay Nineties. His famous brother, Theodore Dreiser, wrote An American Tragedy and other novels. — — Map (db m8924) HM
On South Third Street at East Voorhees Street, on the left when traveling south on South Third Street. Reported missing.
World-famous trademark created in 1915 on this site at Root Glass Company, by Chapman J. Root, T. Clyde Edwards, Earl R. Dean, and Alexander Samuelson. Bottle design selected in national competition. — — Map (db m8888) HM
Near McCullough Avenue (becomes 4th Street) north of Fort Harrison Road.
Dedicated to the memory of the courageous pioneers who so successfully defended Fort Harrison in the activities which served as a Prologue to The War of 1812 — — Map (db m58414) HM
On State Road 63, 0.5 miles north of Maple Avenue.
This bridge commemorates the memory of Charles Gene Abrell, Corporal, First Marines of the United States First Marine Division, posthumous holder of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Born August 12, 1931. Died June 10, 1951. — — Map (db m8922) HM
1906 - - - - - 1992
President, Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen
1963 - 1969
President, United Transportation Union
1969 - 1972
Contributing six decades to the Rail Labor Movement, Charles Luna began working as a Yard . . . — — Map (db m58537) HM
On North 7th Street at Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling north on North 7th Street.
Home of early business and civic leader who built his fortune on honesty, frugality and hard work. He used his wealth generously for the care of orphans, medicine for the sick and the education of youth. — — Map (db m58379) HM
On South 3rd Street at Wabash Avenue, on the right on South 3rd Street.
( Front (East) Plaque )
In Memory
of the
Patriotism and Valor
of the
Soldiers and Sailors of Vigo County
in the
War of 1861 - - 1865 ( Right (North) Plaque )
“On Fame’s eternal camping ground
their silent tents . . . — — Map (db m19761) WM
Near North 3rd Street (U.S. 41) south of Fourth Avenue.
( Front Plaque )
Erected by The United States to mark the burial place of eleven Confederate Soldiers who, while prisoners of war, died at Terre Haute and were buried in this cemetery, where the individual graves cannot now be . . . — — Map (db m58596) WM
On Wabash Avenue west of South 7th Street, on the left when traveling west.
U.S. Highway 40, the old National Road which opened the west for settlement, and U.S. Highway 41, a major north-south route, were designated part of the original federal highway system in 1926. Their intersection in Terre Haute at Wabash Avenue and . . . — — Map (db m58380) HM
On U.S. 40 at North Seventh Street (Old U.S. 41), on the right when traveling west on U.S. 40.
U.S. Highway 40, the old National Road which opened the West for settlement, and U.S. Highway 41, a major North-South route, were designated part of the original Federal Highway System in 1926. Their intersection in Terre Haute at Wabash Avenue and . . . — — Map (db m8925) HM
On Wabash Avenue west of South 7th Street, on the left when traveling west.
The City of Terre Haute has a rich history, spurred by transportation advancements Terre Haute became the “Crossroads of America“. This plaza commemorates the achievements of the first steamboat on the Wabash in 1823, the National . . . — — Map (db m58418) HM
Near Robinwood Lane north of Wabash Avenue (U.S. 40).
The road in front of you was once the most important highway in the United States. Head west and you could go all the way to San Francisco. Head east and you could drive to Atlantic City. Depending on your choice, you'd have the opportunity to cross . . . — — Map (db m233365) HM
On North 7th Street at Eagle Street, on the right when traveling south on North 7th Street.
Fairbanks Hall
Originally the Emeline Fairbanks Memorial Library
On February 2, 1903, prominent Terre Haute businessman and philanthropist Crawford Fairbanks, made an offer to build and furnish a new library building to be named in honor . . . — — Map (db m175911) HM
Near McCullough Avenue (becomes 4th Street) north of Fort Harrison Road.
This stone marks the site, and commemorates the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Heroic Defense, of Fort Harrison by a small body of United States Soldiers, assisted by the settlers against the Indians.
September 4, 1812
The . . . — — Map (db m58391) HM
On U.S. 41 at Fort Harrison Road, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 41. Reported missing.
Built by Gov. Harrison, Oct., 1811, enroute to Tippecanoe to disperse the Indians at Prophet's Town.
Capt. Zachary Taylor defended the Fort against a savage Indian attack, Sept., 1812.
De-activated in 1822. — — Map (db m19796) HM
On North 13th Street at Maple Avenue, on the right when traveling south on North 13th Street.
Dedicated to these three Garfield High School athletes who took our community to ‘A Level Above’.
Terre Haute - parks & recreation
Gold Medal Sponsors
City of Terre Haute
A Friend of Union Hospital
First . . . — — Map (db m58420) HM
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places November 29, 1990, by the United States Department of the Interior in cooperation with the Indiana Department of Naatural Resources Division of historic Preservation. — — Map (db m58471) HM
On Wabash Avenue west of Schaal Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
An Important Road
The National Road is a true American icon, conceived by George Washington, authorized by Thomas Jefferson, and traveled by Abraham Lincoln.
In 1806 construction of the National Road was approved by the US Congress to open . . . — — Map (db m233002) HM
On North 8th Street south of Spruce Street, on the left when traveling south.
Debs (1855-1926) was leading pioneer in industrial unionism, social reformer, and peace advocate.
Founded American Railway Union, 1893; cofounded American Socialist Party, 1900; and ran five times for United States Presidency.
Home built in . . . — — Map (db m8928) HM
On North 1st and Penn Central Railroad St at Chestnut Street, on the left when traveling north on North 1st and Penn Central Railroad St.
On the morning of January 2, 1963, the deadliest workplace accident in the city occurred on this site.
A massive explosion occurred when a gas main on First Street leaked natural gas through the soil and into the plant.
The Home Packing . . . — — Map (db m175909) HM
1919 - - - - - 1981
President, the American Federation of State,
County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME),
1964 - 1981
As president of AFSCME, Jerry Wurf was responsible for the union’s growth from 240,000 to one million . . . — — Map (db m58579) HM
President
Communications Workers of America
1938 - 1974
Joseph Beirne helped found the CWA in 1938, and served as President until 1974, helping develop CWA into the largest communications union in the Nation.
In 1949, when . . . — — Map (db m58536) HM
(Front )
Korean War
Killed in Action
from
Vigo County
( Obverse )
Charles G. Abrell • Herbert D. Akers • William Bellinger • Joseph A. Bray • Norwood C. Cooper • John H. Cowger • William Cunningham • Charles E. Drake • . . . — — Map (db m19794) WM
On North Hunt Street at Debney Road, on the right when traveling north on North Hunt Street.
Lost Creek AME
Church 1840
African Methodist
Episcopal Church
Historic Site
The Underground Railroad
Lost Creek, Indiana, prior to the Civil War was a junction of an important line of the Underground Railroad. Slaves fleeing from North . . . — — Map (db m175916) HM
On East Park Avenue at Mill Dam Road, on the right when traveling east on East Park Avenue.
Abraham Markle (1770-1826) had gristmill and dam built here 1817. Mill had an early horizontal water wheel in a splatter box located within the stone foundation of the structure. Wooden part of mill destroyed by fire 1938. Markle was one of founders . . . — — Map (db m19803) HM
1905 - - - - - 1966
Co-Founder and First International President of
Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO
(1934–1966)
1934 - - - Elected President of Transport Workers.
Organizing Subway, Bus and other Transit . . . — — Map (db m58581) HM
On North 7th Street at Cherry Street, on the left when traveling south on North 7th Street.
Mordecai Peter Centennial Brown
“Brownie,” “Miner,” “Three Finger”
Born: Oct. 19, 1876, Nyesville, Parke County, Indiana
Died: Feb. 14, 1948, Terra Haute, Vigo County, Indiana
Inducted:
National Baseball Hall of Fame, 1949 . . . — — Map (db m175912) HM
Field Organizer, United Mine Workers of America
“The most dangerous woman in America”
A teacher and seamstress, Mary Harris “Mother” Jones began her crusade for workers’ rights with the Knights of Labor in the 1870's. . . . — — Map (db m58469) HM
1849 - - - - - 1893
President
United Association of Journeyman and
Apprentices of the Plumbing and
Pipefitting Industry of the
United States and Canada
1889 - 1892
A plumber born in Boston, Massachusetts, Patrick J. . . . — — Map (db m58540) HM
1852 – 1906
Founder and General Secretary
United Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joiners of America
1881 – 1901
Father of Labor Day
Peter J. McGuire was founder of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters . . . — — Map (db m58495) HM
1886 - - - - - 1952
President
United Steelworkers of America
1936 - 1952
Congress of Industrial Organization
1940 - 1952
Philip Murray went into the coal mines as a boy of 16. By 1916 he had risen through the ranks of . . . — — Map (db m58560) HM
On Rose Hulman Institute Road near Old National Road (U.S. 40), on the right when traveling north.
The land for this campus
comprising one hundred and
twenty three acres
was given to
Rose Polytechnic Institute
by
Anton and Herman
Hulman
1917 — — Map (db m175924) HM
1850 - - - - - 1924
Born in London, Jan. 27, 1850. Apprentice Shoemaker, 1860. U. S. Immigrant and member Cigarmakers Local 144, New York City, 1863. President, Local 144, 1876. Leader in convening Federation of Trades and Labor Unions, . . . — — Map (db m58468) HM
On Fairgrounds Drive, on the right when traveling west.
Side A
Without doubt the ˝ mile dirt track located within the Vigo County Fairgrounds, is one of the most acclaimed race tracks in the nation. Some of the world’s best drivers have competed on the famed oval, including A.J. Foyt, Mario . . . — — Map (db m175967) HM
Near Rose Hulman Institute Road north of Wabash Avenue.
"The Shape of Excellence" signifies the importance Rose-Hulman places on meeting the world's pressing science, technology, engineering and mathematics challenges. Rose-Hulman artist Bryan Bromstrup's design includes symbols of these challenges, such . . . — — Map (db m233369) HM
On Maple Avenue at Lafayette Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Maple Avenue.
The community was named for the twelve corners created by the intersection of Lafayette, Maple and 13th Street. Twelve Points was begun in 1889 when Walter Phillips had his land surveyed and the business district laid out. At that time the area . . . — — Map (db m58417) HM
On 8th Avenue at Norht 7th Street, on the right when traveling west on 8th Avenue.
In 1892, near this site, Union Hospital was founded by Leo J. Weinstein, M.D., and Benjamin F. Swafford, M.D., with the support of local citizens. This hospital established Terre Haute's first School of Nursing in 1900. — — Map (db m58385) HM
On Ohio Street south of South 3rd Street, on the left when traveling east.
( Front )
For the Veterans of Vietnam
For the M.I.A.s
For you fallen comrades
For those who came home
For your Heroic efforts abroad
For your Greater efforts at home
With belated acknowledgment
of your duties . . . — — Map (db m19799) WM
On Chestnut Street at North 2nd Street, on the right when traveling west on Chestnut Street.
This marker denotes the site of one of the canal’s dry dock areas as depicted on 1854 City of Terra Haute map.
Dry dock areas along the canal were used to construct and/or repair canal barges and boats.
Constructed mostly of wood . . . — — Map (db m175901) HM
1907 - - - - - 1970
“- - - - Whose memory is enshrined in the hearts of all of us.”
Born at Wheeling, W. Va. Sept. 1, 1907, the son of Valentine and Anna Reuther. One of four brothers, the oldest Theodore and two younger . . . — — Map (db m58538) HM
On Dresser Drive south of Oak Street, on the right when traveling south.
Side One
This bountiful area on the Wabash River was occupied early by American Indians. French and later Americans recognized this strategic area called terre haute (high land). At least one Wea village was present in area by late 1700s. Wea . . . — — Map (db m58387) HM
1869 - - - - - 1928
Co-Founder and General Secretary-Treasurer,
International Workers of the World, 1905-1921
Secretary-Treasurer,
Western Federation of Miners, 1901-1906
Haywood’s visionary leadership as . . . — — Map (db m58488) HM
1828 - - - - - 1869
Born - Armagh, Pa. November 26, 1828
Died - Philadelphia, Pa. July 27, 1869
America’s First National Labor Leader.
Founder, National Union of Iron Moulders,
July 5, 1859
Founder, . . . — — Map (db m58496) HM
( Front )
World War I
Killed in Action
from Vigo County ( Obverse )
Benjamin L. Acree • Earl R. Bailey • Edward Barron • Alva R. Barton • Carl E. Bell • Earl A. Bright • Fred L. Brooks • Anselin G. Brophy • Cyrus E. . . . — — Map (db m19791) WM
( Front )W. W. II
Killed in Action
from Vigo County ( Obverse )
( Row One )
Lawrence Aaren • Ray E. Adams • William H. Altekruse • Charles V. Anderson • Warren C. Anderson • Wayne W. Anderson • Adolph P. Antoine • William R. . . . — — Map (db m19828) WM
On Wabash Avenue at 7th Street, on the right when traveling east on Wabash Avenue.
The Old National Road, proposed by George Washington to open a path for development of the Northwest Territory, was begun in 1806 in Cumberland, Maryland. It was surveyed through Indiana in 1827 and built through Terre Haute in 1834. This pioneer . . . — — Map (db m239870) HM
On Cherry Street at North 5th Street, on the right when traveling west on Cherry Street.
In the early 1900s, Arabic speaking
Christian Syrians established a
community here, part of a
movement of Middle Easterners
contributing to the growth of
cities in Indiana and U.S. Syrians
began their lives in this city as
poor pack peddlers . . . — — Map (db m226133) HM
Lynching in America
Following the Civil War, resistance to rights and equality for African
Americans and an ideology of white supremacy led to fatal violence
against Black women, men, and children. Violence spread throughout
the country, . . . — — Map (db m226136) HM
On North 6th Street, on the right when traveling south.
African American educator, author,
and vocalist Evangeline Harris
(Merriweather) was born in Terre
Haute. She graduated from Indiana
State Normal School and taught over
25 years at Booker T. Washington and
Lincoln schools. She composed . . . — — Map (db m226129) HM