A collection of historical markers, dedications, and memorials from around the world.
Please include the following in posts if you can: -The title, or a descriptive name -Text of any inscription -The physical location, or a link that contains the location
Attribution:
The community banner is from Michael Jovic on Unsplash (source).
The community icon is from the 99% Invisible podcast (source) where it is attributed to Reddit user r/Brumisator.
Inscription:
Mill Pond
Site of the sawmill built by John Selee in the 18th century and continued by his son, Nathan, a wizard who purportedly used satanic imps to run the mill at night.
Easton Conservation Commission
6.6 acres
Acquired in 1999
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/selee-satanic-mill-marker
Inscription:
The first lady of the early Colorado state was Rose (Brown) Wakely, better known by her stage name, Rose “Haydee”. The dark-eyed beauty came to Colorado in September, 1859 – and the miners fell in love with her at once. She became the most popular entertainer in Central City. Then, suddenly, she disappeared.
Now among her many admirers was Thomas Evans, a gambling man of rather “satanic good looks.” And it was suspicioned no coincidence that, on Tuesday, November 13, 1860 – just prior to a performance starring her, Rose and the gambling man were gone!
Following the town’s suspicions, Justice Downing issued a warrant “for the arrest of an individual who has abducted a young girl...for the basest of all imaginable purposes.”
The fugitive Evans was overtaken “on the road to the States” and, with his sweet young charge, hauled back to Central City. He was brought to trial for the abduction under a handy and sturdy tree to facilitate hanging. But Rose saved this gambling man by saying that they had been married!
The next day, November 24, 1860, Rose Haydee became, through marriage in earnest, Mrs. Thomas Evans ... they of Central City, Colorado.
Inscription:
"To Dad,
Well, here were are, sailing up the Taku Arm, in the wilderness of the Yukon, on the quaintest old stern-wheeler steam-boat you ever saw. The plumbing is the bowl and pitcher type, but it is all so much fun."The southern lakes became a popular tourist attraction for Inland Passage travelers who could afford an excursion into the interior.
The SS Tutshi was constructed in 1917 to accommodate an increasing number of tourists. Tourism declined during WWI but later rebounded and the sternwheeler was expanded three times in order to meet the demand for staterooms. In 1925 the Tutshi was converted from wood to oil to preserve the quiet during night-time stops.
The gardens and hospitality at Ben-My-Chree became a popular tourist destination for the Tutshi. WP & YR purchased and maintained Ben-My-Chree as a tourist destination after the owner died in 1930.
There was a piano on the freight deck and in 1952, two of the waiters played for dances. Canvas, stored in a roll and suspended from the ceiling, was dropped down and pulled tight as a dance floor.
The low population and construction of all-weather roads in the 1940s led to the end of Yukon's paddlewheel era.
Inscription:
The former Aioi Bridge was built in 1932, in a distinctive "T" shape. The apparent target of the atomic bombing on August 6, 1945, it was subjected to an estimated blast pressure of seven tons per square meter - 15 times greater than normal.
Under this sudden pressure, the bridge thrashed like a leaf-spring being snapped back and forth with the slab floor up in the air. Fortunately, collapse was averted and, when repaired, Aioi Bridge was usable for over 35 more years. However, age took its toll, and Aioi Bridge finally had to be replaced with this new bridge in October, 1983.
The calligraphy for the name of the bridge on the newel post was written by Hirokichi Nadao, former speaker of the House of Representatives.
October, 1983 Hiroshima National Highway Work Office Ministry of Construction
https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=243960
The bridge before the war:
Inscription:
This monument is a symbol of freedom and emancipation. It is a tribute to all the enslaved Africans who suffered and were executed in the history of Dominica.
It honours the Maroons who risked their lives to fight for the emancipation of all. It pays homage to those who were sold and executed at the Old Roseau Market and who were held at the Barracoon Building in Roseau before being sold and sent to the plantations.
This monument salutes the memory of our African ancestors and the immense contribution of their skills to our early infrastructure and the development of agriculture in Dominica through the shedding of their blood, sweat and tears.
It celebrates the powerful and lasting influence which our which our African ancestors had on Dominica's present day culture, especially in our forms of music, language, costumes and cuisine.
This memorial is a reminder to all Dominicans that we should continue to sustain our African heritage and its many cultural expressions.
Hmdb.org says the marker is missing. Google Street View shows it in place, but the picture is 6 years old. If anyone is traveling to Dominica soon, go take a look and see if it is there!
https://www.dom767.com/dompedia/neg-mawon-emancipation-monument/
Inscription:
In 1877, The Pennsylvania Railroad Company (PRR) was the largest corporation in the world. In that year the PRR, like railroads across the country, instituted massive lay-offs and wage cuts—reportedly due to declining profits. When workers on the B&O Railroad struck in July of 1877, the sentiment quickly spread to the PRR. In cities, like Pittsburgh, trains barreled through the middle of densely populated neighborhoods, creating pollution and posing a major safety hazard. The seething frustration of workers and citizens alike created a powder keg, which exploded in Pittsburgh as a strike blossomed into a three-day riot.
Venting their anger at the exploitation of workers and the deterioration of public life caused by the PRR, rioters burned railroad buildings and looted freight cars. The destruction included 125 locomotives, 3,500 rail cars, two roundhouses, the Union Depot and a Grain Elevator. The corporation’s president, Thomas Scott claimed no responsibility for the damage the PRR wreaked in the lives of his employees, nor the community. Yet, Scott insisted that the county be held responsible for damage the public dealt on private property. Allegheny County absorbed $4 million in property damages, while the Pennsylvania Railroad Company did not a spend penny.
Inscription:
This site marks the only point on the United States Territory where members of the crew of Christopher Columbus came ashore on his second voyage to the New World in November 1493. It also relates to the first recorded altercation between Europeans and the native people of the western hemisphere, at a point on the other side of the bay, known as “Cape of Arrows”. The site on which you stand was a Native American village and ceremonial site, and includes the site of the only known ball court (or batey) in the lesser Antilles. Later after the demise of the native population on St. Croix, an earthen fort was erected, the remains of which can be seen, and was successfully occupied by European powers, including the English (1641-1645-50), Dutch (1642-1645, and French (1650-51) (1665-1733). In 1788 a Danish Customs House was built nearby to thwart smuggling, and during the 1920’s. Danish archaeologists carried out extensive excavations on the prehistoric village site.
Inscription:
Charles W. Howard 1896-1966
In 1937 he established here
a world famous Santa Claus
school, the first of its
kind & 1953 Christmas Park
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa Claus
Inscription:
Der Goldmacher und spätere Erfinder des europäischen Porzellans - Johann Friedrich Böttcher - wurde auf der Flucht vor dem sächsischen Kurfürsten am 20. 6.1703 in diesem Hause festgenommen. Er soll die Goldmachertinktur-das Arcanum hier liegen gelassen haben.
(English translation:)
The alchemist and later-on the inventor of European porcelain, Johann Friedrich Böttcher, was arrested in this house on June 20, 1703 while fleeing from the Saxon Elector. He is said to have left the “Goldmaker's Tincture” - the Arcanum, the recipe for making gold and curing diseases, here.
Inscription:
A coal wharf was located at the waterfront during the late 19th century. Coal was transported here by railroad from Newcastle and Renton. Abandoned in the early 1900’s, the wharf soon became the Skinner & Eddy Shipyard.
During World War I, the shipyard set records in ship construction, building 75 vessels – one-tenth of the nation’s total wartime shipping tonnage. Following the war, an attempt to reduce wages at the shipyard resulted in the first city-wide strike in the country, which immobilized Seattle for five days.
During the depression of the 1930’s, the abandoned shipyard became a part of Hooverville, the well-known Seattle shantytown which housed displaced citizens until World War II.
Inscription:
"I gave my hand to them all and made signs of my friendly disposition"
On October 19, 1805, William Clark and three men traveling ahead of the rest of the party arrived at a Umatilla village near here. Upon seeing Clark, the villagers ran back to their lodges and closed their doors. Clark opened the door to one lodge, went inside with pipe in hand, and found them in great distress. By signing, he tried to assure them of his peaceful intentions. Just before he went to the village, Clark has shot and killed a crane. The sound of the gun, the sight of the bird falling from the sky, and the sudden approach of the strange-looked explorers caused great concern among the villages. Clark said the villagers thought he and his party came "from the clouds ... and were not men."
The People of This Land The Columbia River and surrounding plains provided abundant resources. This region was heavily populated when the Expedition passed through in 1805-06, Clark wrote, "I Saw Several Horses and persons on horse back in the plains ... Encamped ... nearly opposit to 24 Lodges ... This Tribe can raise about 350 men."
October 19, 1805 "found 32 persons men, women and a few children ... in the greatest agutation. Some crying and ringing there (sic) hands, others hanging their heads. I gave my hand to them all and made Signs of my friendly dispotion and offered the men my pipe ..."
"as Soon as they Saw the ... wife of the interperters (Sacagawea) they pointed to her and imediately all came out and appeared to assume new life .... the sight of This Indian women ... confirmed those people of our friendly intentions..." ~ William Clark ~
Lost in Translation Not all encountered with American Indian tribes went smoothly. Local tribes spoke a variety of languages the explorers were unfamiliar with. Conversations often flowed through a series of translations - sign language, multiple native languages, French and English - taking a long time to complete. Not all signs of friendship, such as Clark's handshake and unannounced visit, were universally understood.
Umatilla People The Umatilla tribes lived along the banks of the Columbia and Umatilla rivers, in the midst of one of the world's richest fisheries. Now part of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indians Reservation, the tribe is actively involved in this region. In you journal keep track of the names of tribes along the Lewis and Clark Trail.
Inscription:
At midnight on January 1, 1967, undercover LAPD officers raided the Black Cat Tavern in Silver Lake. 14 men were beaten, dragged outside, and arrested. Six men were charged with lewd conduct for same-sex kissing. Outrage over the raid spurred two new California gay rights groups to organize hundreds of protestors to demonstrate against police entrapment and arbitrary arrest. The peaceful demonstration that took place outside the Black Cat Tavern on February 11, 1967 was Southern California's first public protest for gay rights.
Events like the Black Cat Tavern protest, and earlier demonstrations at Compton's Cafeteria in San Francisco, were critical milestones in California's LGBTQ+ history, opening the floodgates for new civil rights strategies within the LGBTQ+ community that led to the repeal of discriminatory laws in California.
California Registered Historical Landmark No. 1063.
Plaque placed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with The Black Cat, the California Landmark Foundation, and the Bill Beaver Project, October 1, 2023.
