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Site of the 1883 Trial of Frank James

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Missouri, Daviess County, Gallatin


[Title is text]

(Notable Events) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Powder Magazine

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South Carolina, Charleston County, Sullivans Island

“Keep your powder dry” is a time-worn expression today, but it was vital advice for gunners of the 19th century. This powder magazine was designed to keep the fort’s supply of black powder safe, dry, and away from flame. The thick walls and solid brick traverse in front of the entrance helped protect the magazine in war-time, but preserving the powder was also an important peace-time task.

To protect the powder from fire, a lightning rod was erected and spark-producing metals were kept out of the magazine. To keep the powder dry, the magazine was well-ventilated and the barrels of powder were periodically taken out to the magazine yard and rolled to prevent caking.

The magazine is restored as it appeared in 1840.

(Forts, Castles) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

John Gray Blount

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North Carolina, Beaufort County, Washington

Merchant & land speculator.
Shipping interests
across eastern N.C.; also
invested in western N.C.
land. Home stood here.


(Notable Persons) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

1st Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade

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Missouri, Clinton County, Cameron


Placed here on March 17, 1981 by Frank McQuinn, John Pete O'Connell, and Jim O'Connor in celebration of the 1st Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade as a symbol dedicated to honor the Irish families that helped settle this area of Missouri.

(Settlements & Settlers) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Fort Niagara's P.O.W. Camp

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New York, Niagara County, Youngstown
Fort Niagara became a
prisoner of war (POW) camp

on June 12, 1944, to house Axis captives from increased Allied victories in World War II. One of 500 such camps in the United States, Fort Niagara became the central command post for 13 branch camps throughout western and central New York. Although the camp could hold up to 3,000 prisoners, there were never more than 2,200 here at one time.
Prisoners were put to work on farms and in food processing plants to combat labor shortages. Fort Niagara prisoners were treated fairly. They were allowed to organize their own school, orchestra, choir, sports activities, and pursue artistic interests. Fort Niagara began to release prisoners in late 1945, some stayed until 1946.

Ernst Wills was born on September 28, 1916. He was captured by Canadian forces on D-Day, June 6, 1944, during the Allied invasion of France in World War II. While a prisoner of war at Fort Niagara, he painted a mural entitled American History for the Bachelor Officer Quarters. He also painted portraits of officers and inmates at Fort Niagara. After the war he had great success as an artist in Europe. American culture, especially jazz music, influenced his painting style.

(Forts, Castles • War, World II) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Douglas A-4 "Skyhawk"

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Illinois, Lake County, Naval Training Center, Great Lakes

Panel 1:

McDonnell/Douglas A-4D (A-4)

“Skyhawk”

The Douglas A-4D “Skyhawk” was designed by the late Ed Heinemann in response to a Navy requirement for a fast (but compact) long-range, light-weight carrier jet capable of delivering a nuclear weapon. Because of its small size and ease with which flight deck personnel could handle it, A-4Ds became known variously as either “Scooters” or “Tinker Toys.”

The A-4 set a world speed record of more than 695 mph in 1959 for Class C aircraft over a 500K km course. Fitted with two 150 gallon under wing drop tanks, two A-4Ds flew 2,082 miles non-stop without in-flight refueling in a demonstration of the plane’s long-range capability.

The A-4 Skyhawk participated in the first raids of the Vietnam War and became one of the primary strike aircraft thereafter. The A-4 “Skyhawks” suffered more losses than any other carrier-based aircraft in Vietnam with the loss of 195 aircraft in combat.

Panel 2:

The A-4 “Skyhawk” was the backbone of the Navy and Marine Corps light jet attack forces from the late 1950s into the 1980s. Development of the “Skyhawk” series continued during these years and included many improvements, updates and advancements adding to the A-4’s versatility, performance and maintenance.

The first production Skyhawk was delivered in 1956 and the last in 1979. In total 2,960 Skyhawks were delivered to the fleet. A two-seat trainer version of the A-4 was in use by the Navy until 1999.

Aircraft Statistics Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company Type: Carrier-based light attack bomber Crew: Pilot only Dimensions: Wing Span 27’6”; Length 40’; Height 14’ 11” Weight: Empty, 10,465 pounds Max Takeoff, 24,500 pounds Performance: Max speed 645 knots at sea level

Aircraft Armament
Bombs: Max Load 10,000 lbs
Max Centerline 3,500 lbs
Each wing (inboard) 2,200 lbs
Each wing (outboard)1,000 lbs
Guns: Two 20 mm cannons
The aircraft carried armament ranging
from conventional “Iron Bombs” to such
sophisticated weapons as the Gatling Gun,“Bullpup”,“Walleye”, “Shrike” and, in one case, “Sidewinder” air-to-air missile.

(Air & Space • War, Vietnam) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Gen. Arnold Elzey C.S.A.

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Maryland, Somerset County, near Princess Anne
Born at “Elmwood” and a graduate of West Point, Arnold Elzey (Jones) entered the Civil War, Apr 11, 1861, with the First Maryland Infantry, C.S.A. At First Manassas he was commissioned Brigadier General. He served under Generals Stonewall Jackson and John Bell Hood.

(War, US Civil) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Fort Niagara's Rifle Range

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New York, Niagara County, Youngstown
Thru This Archway Pass the Worlds Best Marksmen
Fort Niagara's
Rifle Range
In the 1870s,
the United States Army began training soldiers in marksmanship. Prior to this, soldiers were not regularly trained to fire for great accuracy. By the 1870s, however, repeating action rifles and simplified ammunition made shooting a popular sport, necessitating a change in military tactics. The National Rifle Association formed in 1871 to advocate marksmanship training nationally and counted many soldiers among its members. In the 1880s, the U.S. Army installed target ranges at many of its facilities.

Designed in 1883, Fort Niagara's rifle range was completed in 1886. Troops trained at Fort Niagara for the Spanish-American War in 1898 and for the Philippine Insurrection from 1899 to 1901. The range was also used in World War I and up until 1943, when the southeast corner of the existing army post was converted to a prisoner of war camp. In 1950, troops reoccupied the fort. The last active units left the fort in 1963, and by the late 1970s, soccer fields had already replaced the range.

The Morgan Rifle Range was named after Major Lodowick Morgan, who commanded a battalion of the First Rifle Regiment during the War of 1812. On August 3, 1814, Morgan and about 240 riflemen prevented a British raid on American supplies at Black Rock and Buffalo. Nine days later, Morgan lost his life in a skirmish at Fort Erie. An inscription on the monument in Buffalo's Forest Lawn Cemetery (Section N) that is pictured here commemorates Morgan and five other officers killed during the war of 1812.

To operate the targets, a soldier stood in a pit beneath each target. Once his partner had fired a shot, the soldier in the pit pulled the target down, marked the location of the bullet hole, and raised the target up again so the shooter could see where he had made a hit. A red flag was used in case of a missed target. The first target was then removed. While it was being repaired with colored stickers, a second target was put in its place. The targets were thus alternated until the shooter finished his allotted rounds, and then he and the man in the pit switched places.

(Forts, Castles) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

John T. Walker

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Missouri, Clinton County, Cameron

The memorial tree planted nearby
is dedicated by the Rock Island
in affectionate memory of
John T. Walker
who by his industry courage and
loyalty through every vicissitude
signally aided in the development
of the
Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railway
into a great transportation system
devoted to the public service

Seventieth anniversary
October tenth [1922]

(Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Humboldt House

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Nevada, Pershing County, near Imlay

Humboldt House or Humboldt Station was originally the point of departure for Humboldt City, Prince Royal, and the mines in that vicinity. In September 1866, it became a stage stop for the historic William (Hill) Beachey Railroad Stage Lines.

As the Central Pacific Railhead advanced from eastern California, it reached Humboldt House in September 1868. From 1869 to 1900, Humboldt House was well known as one of the best eating houses on the Central Pacific Railroad. It was truly an oasis in the great Nevada desert, with good water, fruit, and vegetables. The large grove of trees to the west marks the site of this famous hotel.

Between 1841 and 1857, 165,000 Americans traveled the California emigrant trail past here. In 1850, on the dreaded Forty Mile Desert southwest of present day Lovelock, over 9,700 dead animals and 3,000 abandoned vehicles were counted.

(Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Applegate - Lassen Emigrant Trail Cutoff

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Nevada, Pershing County, near Imlay

Jesse and Lindsay Applegate headed south from Williamette Valley, Oregon, June 29, 1846, seeking a less hazardous route to that region from the east. On July 21, they came to a large meadow on the Humboldt River, what is now the nearby Rye Patch Reservoir. Thus they established the Applegate Trail.

During the remainder of 1846 and for the next two years, Oregon emigrants successfully travelled this trail.

In 1848, Peter Lassen, hoping to bring emigrants to his ranch, acted as a guide to a party of 10 to 12 wagons bound for California. He followed a route from here to Goose Lake where he turned southward over terrain that was barely passable. The emigrants suffered great hardships: many lives and livestock were lost. It became known as the "Death Route".

(Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Mine Creek Battlefield Aerial Overlay

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Kansas, Linn County, Pleasanton


This present day photo of Mine Creek Battlefield with overlays highlights the positions of Union and Confederate troops at 11 a.m. on October 25, 1864. Note where you are positioned in relationship to the events of that day.

The woods and farm fields were not present in 1864. The Mine Creek area was prairie with a few farm fields and some trees at the creek.

(Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Old Fort Niagara Lighthouse

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New York, Niagara County, Youngstown
First Light on the Great Lakes You are standing near the site of the earliest lighthouse on the Great Lakes; a lantern room on the roof of the French Castle inside the fort. From that first whale oil fueled lantern, the Niagara lights evolved to this classically detailed tower erected outside the fort's walls.

Lighthouse Timeline •1781 First Light on the Great Lakes at Mouth of the Niagara River.
•1789 Lighthouses Become Federal Responsibility.
•1823 Light Erected Atop the French Castle.
•1850 Lighthouse Board Established. Upgrading Begun.
•1871 Existing Stone Lighthouse Built. Lens moved from "Castle" to Tower in 1872.
•1900 Watchroom Added, Extending Tower.
•1993 Lighthouse Deactivated.

Anatomy of a Lighthouse Tower Foundation
•Massive Concrete Foundation
Tower
•Taper for Stability
•Rubble and Mortar Wall Core
•Brick Interior Wall
•Dressed Limestone Exterior, from the Niagara Region
•Spiral Stair. 72 Cast Iron Steps
•Windows for Lighting the Stairwell
Watchroom
•Windows for Watching Activities on the Water
Lantern Room
•Catwalk
•Lens and Lantern
•Vent Ball


(Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels) Includes location, directions, 9 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Fort St. Marks Military Cemetery

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Florida, Wakulla County, St. Marks
Here are interred the remains of 19 soldiers of the 4th and 7th Regiments of the United States Infantry and the 4th Battalion of the United States Artillery. These men were members of the garrison of 200 stationed here during the United States occupation of Fort St. Marks. May 1818 through March 1819, under the command of Brevet Major A.G.W. Fanning.

The deaths of these soldiers were described in company records as being due to “consumption, dysentery, etc.” The original military burial ground was located about 1200 feet east of this point.

(Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Forts, Castles) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Braddock's Military Road 1755 Great Swamp Camp

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Pennsylvania, Fayette County, near Mt. Pleasant
This tablet marks the site of General Edward Braddock's fourteenth encampment or bivouac. Here Braddock's army spent the night July 1, 1755 having marched five miles from their camp on the east side of the Youghiogheny near Connellsville. The army halted here a day until a swamp was bridged or corduroyed. The next day they marched only one mile to "Jacob's Cabin Camp" where more bridging of the swamp was necessary.

(War, French and Indian) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Train Station at Greensburg

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Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County, Greensburg
Road versus Rail—The Lincoln Highway stretches from New York City to San Francisco. In Western Pennsylvania, the Highway converges with the Pennsylvania Railroad Main Line at one location: Greenburg.

The train station at Greensburg, built in 1911 in a French Renaissance style, demonstrates the importance of Greensburg as the crossroads of train lines and roads, and the historical intersection of trains and automobiles. It was built when railroads were at their height of prominence. Then, almost 50 years later, the station closed because traffic on roads had become more important than traffic on the rails.

At the end of the 1800s, most people lived less than 20 miles from a railroad station. Roads often became rutted and muddy and virtually impassable. By the early 1900s, new paving techniques made road surfaces durable, opening the country to a revolution in transportation. Travelers in the pre-automobile era could not imagine road traffic competing with trains for major regional transportation.

(Inscription under the photo on the left side of the marker) The grand opening of the train station at Greensburg in 1911.

The history of the train station at Greensburg illustrates the rise and fall of railroads (in red) compared to the continuing rise of the automobile (in yellow).

1852-First train stops in Greensburg;
1909-Ford builds Model T cars; 1911-Station at Greensburg opens;
1913-Lincoln Highway dedicated; 1940-PA Turnpike opens;
Mid 1950s-Station closes, continues as a train stop;
1996-The Westmoreland Trust restores station;
1998-Station reopens.

(Railroads & Streetcars) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Thomas Francis Bayard

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Delaware, New Castle County, near Wilmington

Thomas Francis Bayard

Born October 29th – 1828
Died September 28th – 1898

“Bayard is the Purest and Most Patriotic man I know”
Grover Cleveland

(Back of monument)

United States District Attorney For Delaware
1853 – 1854
United States Senator from Delaware
1869 – 1885
Member United States Electoral Commission
1877
President Pro-Tem United States Senate
1881
Secretary of State of the United States
1885 – 1889
First United States Ambassador to Great Britain
1893 – 1897
“And shall these labors and these honors die?”
~Shakspeare~[sic]

(Government • Notable Persons • Politics) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Gwynn Oak Park and the Civil Rights Movement

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Maryland, Baltimore
On August 28, 1863, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D. C. On that same day a victory for equal rights occurred here, as segregation ended at Gwynn Oak Amusement Park, which used to occupy this site. Achieving this milestone took nearly ten years of protests, culminating in two demonstrations on July 4, and 7, 1963. About 400 people were arrested, including over 20 Catholic, Protestant and Jewish clergy. It was a memorable time when people of different faiths and ethnicities took part in a Civil Rights demonstration. Negotiations followed that resulted in the park finally being open to all on August 28, 1963. The first African American child to go on a ride that day took a spin on the merry-go-round. In 1972, Hurricane Agnes destroyed the amusement park, but the merry-go-round survived and was later moved to the National Mall in Washington, near where Dr. King gave his famous speech.

(Plaque at the base of the marker) Dedicated July 2013 by Baltimore County, Gwynn Oak Community Association and Security Woodlawn Business Association.

(Civil Rights • Entertainment) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Ambush

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Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County, Jeannette
Col. Bouquet’s army left Ligonier on August 4th, 1763, and made twelve miles progress before stopping to camp along the road. On August 5th, Bouquet resumed his march and proceeded to within one mile of Bushy Run Station when Native Americans attacked the front of his column.

Using their traditional fighting tactics, described by contemporaries as “a kind of running fight,” the Natives darted through the woods attacking the British. The British attempted to charge the Native positions only to have the Natives slip away to another position. By late afternoon Bouquet and his soldiers had retreated to the high ground of Edge Hill to create a defensive position. The fighting continued until nightfall when the battlefield fell silent. Having lost more than 60 men, Bouquet knew he only had until morning to change his desperate situation.

(Time line at the bottom of the marker)
1763-May 9-Siege of Fort Detroit;
May 16-Fort Sandusky falls;
May 25-Fort St. Joseph falls;
May 27-Fort Miami falls;
May 29-Seige of Fort Pitt;
June 1-Fort Quiatenon falls;
June 2-Fort Michitimackinac falls;
June 2-Fort Ligonier attacked;
June 4-Fort Pitt’s help request reaches Col. Bouquet;
June 12-Amhearst orders the 42nd and 77th to Bouquet;
June 16-Fort Venango falls;
June 18-Fort Le Boeuf falls;
June 22-Fort Pesque Isle falls;
July 15-Bouquet leaves Carlisle;
July 25-Bouquet arrives at Fort Bedford;
Augsust 2-Bouquet arrives at Fort Ligonier; August 4-Bouquet leaves Fort Ligonier;
August 5-Natives attack Bouquet relief forces;
August 6-British defeat the Natives at Bushy Run;
August 10-British arrive at Fort Pitt.

(War, French and Indian) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Lace's Aces

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Georgia, Chatham County, Pooler

96th Bomb Group   339th Squadron
Snetterton - Heath, England
     1943 - 1945
Shot down on their 15 mission 4 Mar 1944
in A/C 42-30412 Mischief Maker II near Waterloo, Belgium
The first Air Force Mission to Berlin
P  1Lt Paul Herring              Evaded
CP FO  Charles D Beard Jr  Evaded
N  2 Lt John Wilson              Evaded
B  2Lt William Wood            POW
E  TSgt George Goetz          Evaded
R  TSgt Robert E Doherty    POW
BT  SSgt Walter Rich           POW
WG  SSgt Luigi Iacoviello     POW
WG  SSgt Everett Johnson    POW
TG  SSgt Charles Haywood   POW


(War, World II) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
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