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Fairmount Dam

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Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County, Philadelphia

The steam engine originally used to pump river water up to the Reservoir were dangerous and expensive to operate. Because of this, the Watering Committee decided to convert the Water Works to water power. The Fairmount Dam was built to achieve this goal.

Located to your right, the dam crosses the Schuylkill River at an angle. It diverted the river from its natural channel into the Forebay, now filled-in. At 2,008 feet, this innovative dam was the longest in the United States when completed in 1821. It was designed by Massachusetts engineer Ariel Cooley.

In addition to providing water power, the dam created a pool of calm, pond-like water stretching five miles upriver. The "Fairmount Pool" has been popularly used for boating and recreation from the 1820s to the present.

(Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Trials in an Old Swamp

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Ohio, Greene County, Dayton
We are in a large meadow of about 100 acres…skirted on the west and north by trees…Also the ground is an old swamp and is filled with grassy hummocks some six inches high so that it resembles a prairie dog town. This makes tracklaying slow work.
Wilbur Wright to Octave Chanute, June 24, 1904

Before settlers began to farm the Dayton area in the early 1800s, this flood plain was covered by tall-grass prairie. In the fields to the left of the flying field you see 109 acres of Huffman Prairie, the largest natural prairie remnant found in Ohio.

The Nature Conservancy works with the Air Force to remove non-native plants and reseed tall-grass prairie species on the site.

(Air & Space) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

The Delaware Regiment

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Delaware, Kent County, Dover
On December 9, 1775, the Continental Congress resolved that a body of troops be raised in Delaware "for the defense of American liberty." Commanded by Colonel John Haslet, the Delaware Regiment consisted of more than 500 battle-ready troops when they marched northward to join the Continental Army in August, 1776. After expiration of enlistments and Haslet's death, the Regiment was reorganized in the winter of 1776-1777 under the leadership of Colonel David Hall. Forced to endure great hardship, the Regiment was widely acclaimed for its discipline and bravery. Greatly depleted in number, they returned to Delaware victorious in January, 1783. The Delaware Regiment participated in many of the major engagements of the American Revolution including:

Battles around New York City and Environs
Long Island, August 27, 1776 • Throg's Neck, October 12-18, 1776 • Mamaroneck Raid, October 22, 1776 • White Plains, October 28, 1776 • Trenton, December 26, 1776 • Staten Island, August 22, 1777 • Stony Point, July 16, 1779

Philadelphia Campaign
Brandywine, September 11, 1777 • Germantown, October 4, 1777 • Monmouth, June 28, 1778

Southern Campaign
Camden, August 16, 1780 • Cowpens, January 17, 1781 • Guilford Courthouse, March 15, 1781 • Hobkirk's Hill, April 25, 1781 • Ninety-Six, May 22 - June 19, 1781 • Eutaw Springs, September 8, 1781

This monument is dedicated to the memory of the patriots from Delaware who fought and died "in the Defense and Protection of American Liberty."

(Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Flying Field to Air Force Base

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Ohio, Greene County, Dayton
The vast base you see all around you started in 1917 as a World War I Army Signal Corps post called Wilbur Wright Field. The installation grew through the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, matching the needs of the United States for aeronautical research, development, and logistics. Since the creation of a separate United States Air Force in 1947, the Wright brothers’ flying field and aviation school has been part of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

More than anyone I have ever known or read about, the Wright brothers gave me a sense that nothing is impossible. I like to think—and during World War II, often did---that the Air Force has rooted its traditions in that spirit.
General Hap Arnold, Father of the Air Force.

Military Aviation Comes of Age over Ohio
Generations of American military aircraft—from flying machines of spruce and canvas to high-tech jets---have been tested and flown here, in the same airspace the Wright brothers worked.

(Air & Space) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Glencarlyn Station

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Virginia, Arlington County, Arlington
If you arrived here by train on a summer Sunday afternoon in the 1870s, you would find crowds of people enjoying Arlington's premier amusement park. This wooded spot near the confluence of Lubber Run and Four Mile Run was a natural place for a park. Since the railroad's beginnings in the 1850s, this had been a regular stop for steam trains replenishing [illegible] [water?] from the springs. The Carlin family, owner of the property since 1766, built the Carlin's Springs amusement park here in 1872. It offered the popular attractions of the day -- a large swimming hole, a bar, dance pavilions, and a 250-seat ice cream parlor. In 1887 the property was sold to developers for a residential community. The Carlin family house is preserved and open to the public as a museum.

(Colonial Era • Entertainment • Railroads & Streetcars) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Moon Lake Gardens and Dude Ranch

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Florida, Pasco County, New Port Richey
Development of this former 9,000 acre sportman's paradise was begun in 1933 by Ed Haley's Moon Lake Company. It opened in 1937, complete with bridal paths, native and exotic trees, flowers and shrubs, and plenty of game and fish. The lodge, casino and cottages were constructed of local materials. In its heyday guests included novelists Rex Beach, financier Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr., and the Florida Legislature--convened for a parley. Al Capone is said to have been a guest, using assumed names. World War II led to the untimely closing of this forerunner of Florida's self-contained resorts.

(Notable Places) Includes location, directions, 1 photo, GPS coordinates, map.

Miss that Tree!

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Ohio, Greene County, Dayton
Before tackling the problems of how to fly, Orville and Wilbur had been bicycle enthusiasts. The Wrights knew that a cyclist has to learn into high-speed turns. That same tilting movement in a flying machine is called banking. Here at Huffman Prairie Flying Field, the Wrights taught themselves how to bank their airship to make turns.

Mystery of banked turns---combining rudder moves with wing warping--- was one of their most important steps toward developing what the brothers called a machine of practical utility.

(Inscription next to the photo at the bottom left side of the marker)

An unexpected gust of wind and a thorn-laden tree, like the ones you see far ahead in this field, helped Orville Wright figure out how best to handle his controls to turn his flying machine.

(Inscription under the photo at the upper right side of the marker)
In one flight in 1905, while circling around a honey locust tree at a height of about 50 feet, the machine suddenly began to turn up on one wing, and took a course toward the tree---not relishing the idea of landing in a thorn tree, (I) attempted to reach the ground. The left wing, however, struck the tree..and carried away several branches.
Orville Wright

(Air & Space) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

A Starting Device

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Ohio, Greene County, Dayton
To take off by engine power alone in Dayton’s light winds, the Wright brothers had to lay out as much as 240 feet of wooden rails. If the breeze shifted, the track had to be moved and pegged down again to face the new wind direction.

But after they built a catapult in September 1904, the Wrights could launch their flyer with only 60 feet of rail.

It is evident that we will have to build a starting device that will render us independent of wind and are now designing one...
Wilbur Wright, August 8, 1904


Catapult-assisted Takeoffs
A team of horses pulled a 1600-pound counterweight to the top of the wooden derrick. When the weight fell sixteen feet, it added enough speed to get a flying machine airborne—regardless of wind direction and strength.

The catapult in front of you is a replica.


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

Moon Lake Gardens Stone Barn

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Florida, Pasco County, New Port Richey
Constructed of native limerock in the early 1930s, this stone barn is one remaining structure of Ed Haley's Moon Lake Gardens and Dude Ranch. This barn served some thirty Kentucky bred horses for the guests' pleasure and is said to have housed the electric generator for the ranch, as commercial electric power did not reach this area until after World War II.

Designed as a recreational mecca, opened to the public in 1937, Moon Lake Gardens and Dude Ranch closed with the advent of World War II, never to reopen.

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

Lake Jovita Club

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Florida, Pasco County, San Antonio
(side 1)
Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club incorporates the site of W.E. Currie's Lake Jovita Club of the 1920s and 30s. Gene Sarazen, a leading professional golfer of that era, considered the course-designed by Stiles & VanKleete-one of the best in Florida.

The land had been a part of the Disston purchase of 1881 when a $1 million purchase of 4 million acres saved Florida from bankruptcy. Ex-judge Edmund Dunne, an attorney for Hamilton Disston, obtained development rights on 50,000 acres as part of his fee. Dunne's Catholic Colony Land Company sold the property in the 1880s to Dr. Joseph Corrigan, brother of the Archbishop of New York, who set out extensive orange groves and built a three-story mansion, with private chapel, overlooking Lake Jovita. (Continued on other side) (side 2)
(Continued from other side) Dr. Corrigan's mansion burned in 1913 and, in 1925, his heirs sold the property to Currie, who developed the golf course, complete with fences and cattle-gaps to keep free range cows and hogs off the fairways and greens. A temporary clubhouse provided dining facilities, showers and a "lying room" or lounge.

Collapse of the Florida Land Boom and resulting bank failures in 1926 prevented completion of the country club. The 18-hole gold course continued to be popular until the early 1930s when the Great Depression made golfing a luxury beyond the means of most middle class Americans.

The property was purchased by Wm. E. Lee who later sold to John S. Burks. In 1997 Burks' heirs sold to the developers of Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club which opened to play on October 19, 1999.

(Man-Made Features) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

They Had Done It!

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Ohio, Greene County, Dayton
As spring weather improved in 1905, the Wright brothers were back here at the flying field every day, hard at work. They put up a hanger, and readied their new machine. Steering was the last great riddle. By trying out ideas for balancing the control surfaces---the elevators, the twin rudders, and wing warping—they finally found ways to put full command of their flyer into the hands (and hips) of a pilot.

My mid-October, the Wrights had perfected their machine. They were ready to stop test flying, secure a patent, and start marketing their invention.

Total Time in the Air
1904- -49 minutes--106 flights
1905- -262 minutes--50 flights

....Nine years of trial and error, discouragement and hope, risk to life and limb, and brilliant engineering effort had culminated in the air over this Ohio cow pasture.
Tom Crouch, Wright biographer

(Inscription over the photo in the upper right side of the marker)

A Record Set
Wilbur amazed a small crowd of guests and passerby here with a 40-minute, 24 mile flight. They watched him orbit this flying field 29 times. He only landed when he ran out of gas.
October 5, 1905

(Inscription over the photo in the lower right side of the marker)
The wooden shed (in front of you) is a replica, built in 1990 on the site of the Wright’s original 1905 hangar.

(Air & Space) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Follow the Flight Path

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Ohio, Greene County, Dayton
The trail you see ahead curving gently to the right retraces the way Wilbur and Orville Wright flew here in 1904-1905. Look for seven tail flag poles that mark the corners of the pasture. The brothers tried their best to fly only inside this field, because they respected property boundaries. It was hard enough to drag their 700-pound flying machine back to the launch rails without having to negotiate fences. Remember, their flyers had no wheels.

On the first of three trials we found that we had started a circle on too large a radius to keep within the boundaries of the small field in which we were operating. Accordingly, a landing was made each time, without accident, merely to avoid passing beyond the boundaries of the field.
Wilbur Wright

Walking the Flight Path…
takes 30 minutes to get back to the main parking areas near Simms Station.

The path is regularly mowed, but not hard-surfaced. Wheelchair users should budget more time.

(Air & Space) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

St. Albertus Church

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Michigan, Wayne County, Detroit
Polish immigrants arrived in Detroit as early as the 1850s, but not until the Reverend Simon Wieczorek founded St. Albertus Roman Catholic Parish in 1872, did their community have a center. In 1885 the present Gothic Revival building replaced the original wooden frame structure. Inspired by the Reverend Dominic Kolasinski's concern for the Polish traditions, it incorporates twelve lunette panels over the nave arcades, brick detailing, and an octagonal tower common to churches in Poland. Although the community eventually dispersed, St. Albertus Church still stands as a symbol of the first Polish community in Detroit.

(Churches, Etc.) Includes location, directions, 7 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Trimble County Jail

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Kentucky, Trimble County, Bedford
Old stone jail erected ca. 1850 on site of original jail; second story added in 1899. For some 133 years, until 1983, this building was physical symbol of law and order in Trimble County. Its most noted prisoner, ardent abolitionist Delia Webster, was incarcerated here briefly during 1854. The jail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

(Abolition & Underground RR • Civil Rights) Includes location, directions, 1 photo, GPS coordinates, map.

College of the Ozarks Veterans Grove

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Missouri, Taney County, Point Lookout
College of the Ozarks Veterans Grove

(Military) Includes location, directions, 7 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Zur Sempacher Helbard

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Switzerland, Zurich (canton), Zurich (district), Zurich
1423 erstmals erwähnt als >.
Das mittelalterliche wohnhaus wurde im 18. Jh. Mit dem südlich anstossenden nachbargebäude unter einem giebeldach vereinigt.
1928 schuf der kunstmaler Christian Schmidt (1862-1937) die fassadenmalerei mit der darstellung des städtchens sempach.
Unter denkmalschutz seit 1984

German–English translation by Google Translate

Zur Sempacher Helbard

First mentioned in 1423 as >.
The medieval family house built in the 18th Century combined with the southern adjoining neighbor building under a gable roof.
1928 the facade created by the fine painter Christian Schmidt (1862-1937) painting the depiction of the town's historic city wall).
Under monument protection since 1984

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

Grave stone of Lucius Aelius Urbicus

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Switzerland, Zurich (canton), Zurich (district), Zurich
Grabstein des Lucius Aelius Urbicus um 200 n. Chr., auf dem erstmals der römische Name Zu (missing)STA(TIONS) TURICEN(SIS), genannt wird.br “D(is) M(anibus), / Hic situs est / L. Ael(ius) Urbicus / qui vixit an(no) / uno m(ensibus) V d(iebus) V // Unio Aug(usti) lib(ertus) / p(rae)p(ositus) sta(tions) Turicent(sis) / (quadragesimae) G(alliarum) et Ae(lia) Secundin(a) / p(arentes) dulcissim(o) f(ilio.)”br “Den Manen. Hier liegt Lucius Aelius Urbicus, der ein Jahr, fünf Monate und fünf Tage lebte. Unio, der Freigelassene des Kaisers, Vorsteher des Zürcher Zollpostens des gallischen Zolls, und Aelia Secundina, die Eltern,ihrem süssesten Söhnchen.”
Kopie nach dem Originalstein im Schweizerischen Landesmuseum Zurich. 1986 vom Rennweg-Quartier-Verein der Stadt Zürich gestiftet zum Jubiläum “2000 Jahre Zürich”.
Weitere Angaben zur Geschichte Zürich befinden sich in der Mauerecke rechts vom Lindenhofbrunnen.

German and Latin–English translations by Google Translate

Grave stone of Lucius Aelius Urbicus around 200 AD, the Roman name is on the Zu(missing) STATIONS Turicensis, called for the first time.
"Gods Hands, / At this point, the site is / Lucius AELIUS Urbicus / who lived year / month 5 days 5 / / August freedman Union / paepositus station Turicentsis / Lent France and Aelia afterbirth / parents sweet son. "
"The manes. Here is Urbicus Lucius Aelius, who lived, one year five months and five days. Unio, the freedman of the emperor, head of the Zurich Gallic customs post of duty, and Aelia Secundina, parents, her sweetest little boy."
Copy after the original stone in the Swiss National Museum in Zurich. 1986 donated from Rennweg-quarters Club of Zurich city jubilee "2000 years of Zurich".
For more information on the history located in the corner of the wall to the right of Lindenhof Fountain.

(Cemeteries & Burial Sites) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Jesuitenkirche

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Switzerland, Lucerne (canton), Lucerne (district), Lucerne
1666-1677 von den Jesuiten als Ordenskirche erbaut und 1756-1757 durch einen westlich gelegenen Flügel mit dem Kollegium verbunden. Die Pläne zur Kirche schuf vermutlich Pater Christoph Volger unter Mitwirkung von Bruder Heinrich Mayer, der die Innenausstattung entwarf.
Als erste grosse Barockkirche der Schweiz wirkte sie inspirierend und wegleitend. Wegen ihrer hervorragenden Ausstattung gehört sie zu den bedeutenden Werken barocker Sakralarchitektur.
1949 wurde der östlich an die Kirche angrenzende spätgotische > abgebrochen. 1978 erstellte man in Anlehnung an die Originalpläne den Vorplatz.
Unter Denkmalschutz seit 1969
Restauriert 1957-1958 und 1974-1980

German-English translation by Google translate.

Jesuit Church

St. Francis Xavier

1666-1677 built by the Jesuits as a religious church 1756-1757 and joined by a westerly wing of the college. The plans for the church probably created by Father Christopher Volger with the participation of Brother Henry Mayer, who designed the interior.
As the first large baroque church of Switzerland it looked inspiring and wegleitend. Because of its excellent features it is one of the important works of Baroque sacred architecture.
In 1949 the east adjacent to the church late Gothic > was canceled. 1978 is created based on the original plans the forecourt. Historical monument since 1969
Restored in 1957-1958 and 1974-1980

(Churches, Etc.) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Kapellbrücke

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Switzerland, Lucerne (canton), Lucerne (district), Lucerne
The Chapel Bridge and Water Tower were built in the 14th century. The bridge served as a rampart, as well as part of the town fortification. Originally 285 metres (sic) long, the bridge was shortened several times during the 19th century. Water Tower served as a dungeon, archive and treasury vault.
In the 17th century the Chapel Bridge was adorned with a set of paintings. The triangular panels were designed by town secretary Renward Cysat, a universal scholar, and painted in Renaissance style by Hans Heinrich Wägmann. The series of paintings depict the development of the city and republic of Lucerne from a Counter-Reformation point of view. Other pictures portray the life and suffering of the town’s two patron saints, St. Leodegar and St. Mauritius.
During the night of 17th August 1993, a fire broke out on the Chapel Bridge, burning 81 of the 111 bridge paintings. The paintings on both bridge-heads escaped damage by the blaze.
Between 1994 and 2001 photographic facsimiles were displayed to fill the enormous gap.
In 2002 Lucerne’s city cuncil (sic), together with the federal and cantonal offices for the preservation of historical monuments, agreed upon the order in which the paintings would be newly hung.
The paintings on the bridgeheads are the originals. In the middle of the bridge the paintings from the St. Mauritius series can be seen. These had been removed in the 19th century when the bridge was shortened during the construction of the quays on the north and south ends.
The gap remaining between the paintings serves as a reminder of the irreparable loss to the bridge – and for the city of Lucerne – caused by the blaze on the night of 17th August 1993.

(Bridges & Viaducts) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Hot Shot Furnace

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Georgia, Bryan County, Richmond Hill

The hot shot oven was used to heat cannonballs red hot to set fire to attacking wooden vessels.

(Forts, Castles) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
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