There has been a renewed interest in the use of roadside markers that note a historical place or event. These markers were first installed in the 1920s to help motorists identify historic sites and frankly, give them something to read as they slowly drove on by. Today it can be difficult and dangerous to try to read the signs as you zip by at 60 mph, or as you try to park on the shoulder of a busy highway. So many states have websites to help you find, read and understand the signs. Here are some that we have used to find canal sites and add them to our canal sites and parks map.
Be aware that some people will see these markers as a sign of a different time and this is true. As the way we view and understand history changes over the years, while these markers remain trapped in the period in which they were crafted. For instance New York State is littered with numerous signs noting the Clinton and Sullivan Campaign. But if viewed with this context in mind, they can help bring history to light and they might be the one remaining artifact that marks a long lost site.
The William G. Pomeroy Foundation has been offering a funding program since 2005 to help local municipalities and not-for-profits install new and replacement markers. They are now offering markers that will highlight food, legends, the national register, patriot burials, and historic canals. The process is fairly extensive yet very accessible to everyone. They also maintain a listing of markers.
The Historical Marker Database covers all the states, and at the time of this post in 2022, it shows 145,435 listings. It is a great place to start your search.
OHIO – Start with the Ohio History Connection, and then click on “Search Markers.” In the Keyword Search box on the right side, enter the keyword “canal”.
INDIANA – Start with the Indiana Historical Bureau. Either do a search by way of the four options listed, or search under in the various categories listed, or chose Category, and the Transportation.
MICHIGAN – Start with the Michigan History Center. Use the word “Transportation” in the search box, or use the filters to play around and see what you can find.
NEW YORK- Start with the New York State Museum to find information and the background history on the New York State roadside marker program. Use the Pomeroy site to find the markers.
VIRGINIA – Start with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources / Historical Highway Markers. Use the Marker Online Database Search, click on the agree button and then enter a search term.
PENNSYLVANIA – Start with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. Scroll down and click on the Marker Search button. Enter canal in the keyword search box.
NEW JERSEY – I could not find a database of markers in New Jersey. However there was a report titled; Assessment of State Historical Marker Programs. Use the Historical Marker Database to search for New Jersey markers.
Great stuff…thanks!!
This was a older page under the resources tab in the menu, but I thought it fit better as a updated blog post. It also allowed me the opportunity to redo the menu to focus on the American Canals newsletter resources.
Many of the historical markers have significant errors in them as they have never been updated as new scholarship and source materials have become available. The expense of correcting or replacing erroneous historical waysides should be considered when looking at their economics and more attention should be given to the text on them which is too often the reflection of local lore rather than historical fact.
Dr Gray makes a great point. It looks as though many of the marker resources are now using the websites to expand upon, give context, or even correct, the wording used in the markers. Of course people have to look it up but at least the effort is being made.