Quantcast
Channel: The Historical Marker Database - New Entries
Viewing all 103121 articles
Browse latest View live

Roots From Another Land

0
0
California, Alameda County, San Leandro
Many of the trees surrounding you have foreign roots, each with its own tale. In 1868 the Hayward Journal described Chabot’s plans to encircle the reservoir with “walnut, hickory nuts, butternuts, and other eastern and foreign nut trees.” These transplants may have included the exotic palms before you.

The tree enclosed by the fences is a cork oak (Quercus suber), native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa. In 1892 Portuguese “vaquero: Frank Silva worked for the Contra Costa Water Company and could have planned this tree for his wine bottling.

In the 1910s Frank C. Havens, of People’s Water Company, imported millions of eucalyptus seedlings that sprouted into the towering trees around you. This get-rich-quick craze that spread throughout the San Francisco area touted the tree for timber, medicine, erosion, and fire control. The pros and cons of this Australian native continue to be debated, raising the larger question of how introduced species affect local flora and fauna.

Oakland author Jack London also invested in the Eucalyptus trend, eventually planting 65,000 trees. The Eucalyptus Timber Company secured his endorsement for a brochure “Jack London and Eucalyptus” to entice more investors.

(Asian Americans • Horticulture & Forestry) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Memorial to the Chinese Laborers

0
0
California, Alameda County, San Leandro
The Alameda County Historical Society dedicates this panel to:
Ah Bing – 41, Kim Yuen – 29, Toy Sing – 31, and Lock Sing – 33, who died outside this tunnel. This panel is also dedicated to the countless unnamed and unsung Chinese laborers who worked on Lake Chabot Dam from 1874 to 1892.

In 1888 and 1889 Chinese laborers dug and dynamited 1,438 feet through rock hillside to make this spillway tunnel. Overflow water from the lake passes through the tunnel, into the 679 foot masonry-lined canal and then back into San Leandro Creek

On the evening of September 16, 1889, a dynamite explosion killed four Chinese laborers who were digging the canal outside this tunnel.

While records of Chinese laborers are scant, their achievements were enormous. Using hand tools such as pickaxes, and shovels, they cleared 333 acres of bush and timber, blasted 3,100 feet of tunnels, built more than 15 miles of roads and 18 miles of fences, and moved 600,000 cubic yards of earth.

Chinese laborers built Lake Chabot with back-breaking labor. Belatedly, we honor their significant contributions to the historic legacy of California.

The tunnel is the length of four football fields and connected to Lake Chabot. Note the fine hand-crafted masonry of chiseled stone, burnt brick, and Portland cement at the entrance. Can you see where the masonry shifts from stone to brick?

(Asian Americans • Disasters • Man-Made Features) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Filtration Basins

0
0
California, Alameda County, San Leandro
Public outcry led Oakland councilman George Pardee, who later became Governor of California, to campaign Contra Costa Water Company for a clean reliable water system. The Hyatt filters were installed, along with pump houses and filtration basins, to form “one of the West’s first” filtration systems, now part of a Historic Engineering Landmark.

The peaceful meadow you face was the site of one of two large filtration basins. The innovation of rapid filtration was new in 1884, patented by John Hyatt, and continued in use at Lake Chabot for well over 50 years. Water in the basin had a coagulant added to assist in clumping and filtering out mud and other particulates. The water from the basins was then forced through the Hyatt filters (see separate panel) to further purify it, delivering greater improved water quality to customers in Oakland and San Leandro.

In the 1890s “water wars” between Contra Costa Water Company (CCWC) and a rival company broke out, leading to verbal and physical clashes. One written attack on CCWC was included in an 1895 issue of the Oakland Tribune. “The water stored in Lake Chabot and Lake Temescal contains more animal rottenness than any other in the world... It is the perfume of the morgue.”

(Man-Made Features) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Portsmouth Plaza

0
0
California, San Francisco City and County, San Francisco
Named for U.S.S. Portsmouth commanded by Capt. John B. Montgomery, after whom Montgomery Street was named. It was here on the plaza that Capt. Montgomery first raised the American flag near the Mexican adobe custom house on July 9, 1846. This plaza was the center of many early day activities among which were the following:-

First public school building erected 1847, S.W. corner of plaza, where religious services and many public meetings were held.

Dramatic and authoritative announcement of gold discovery made by Sam Brannan on May 11, 1848, who displayed glittering samples to crowds on plaza.

Election of delegates to Monterey Constitutional Convention urged at mass meeting June 12, 1849.

Served as place of refuge for citizens following conflagrations of 1849, 1850, 1851 and 1906.

On July 16, 1849, crowd assembled to organize against depredations of lawless body called "The Hounds."
Memorial services held August 29, 1850, following death of President Zachary Taylor.

First Admission Day celebration held October 29, 1850, following news brought by steamship Oregon that California, on September 9, had become 31st state.

Indignation meeting organized June 1, 1852, to protest against purchase by City Council of Jenny Lind Theatre as City Hall.

Commemorative service held for Henry Clay, August 10, 1852.

Colonel E.D. Baker, September 18, 1859, delivered oration over body U.S. Senator David C. Broderick, killed in duel with Chief Justice David S. Terry.

Robert Louis Stevenson spent many hours here during his visit to the city in 1879-1880.

(Education • Politics • War, Mexican-American) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

State Theatre

0
0
Minnesota, Hennepin County, Minneapolis


A project for the City and the People of Minneapolis by the Minneapolis Community Development Agency

[City Officials listed]

"Dedicated to the People of Minneapolis and their children and their children's children, that through the years it may lighten the cares of life's vicissitudes with wholesome laughter, that they may drink the innocent inspirations of music, that they may trap themselves in the soft cloak of the Arts and revel in decent recreation against the humdrum routine of mundane existence."
(Taken from a 1921 local theater dedication)

Jay Jensen, MCDA Executive Director

November 7, 1991
—————————
Designation of the State Theatre in the National Register of Historic Places, United States Department of the Interior, is contemplated. Upon such designation, the authorized bronze tablet will be cast and mounted in this place.

(Entertainment • Man-Made Features) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Working Year-Round to Develop the Park

0
0
Minnesota, Nicollet County, near Fairfax

Although Fort Ridgely had been a state park since 1911, little development for recreation had occurred. Under the direction of the Department of Interior, the National Park Service (NPS) planned, designed, and supervised the work projects. For eight hours each day, five days a week, the men of the CCC were "on the job" and under the direction of NPS superintendents. Only rain and extreme cold slowed or stopped work.

CCC Begins Work
CCC crews began work on August 2, 1934. The first work projects consisted of a park clean up and back sloping high-cut banks on the north side of the park entrance road between Nicollet County Highway 21 and the cemetery. Shortly thereafter the CCC'ers did more erosion control, drained a swamp north of the highway bridge, developed foot trails, planted trees, and installed foot bridges across Fort Ridgely Creek.

Park buildings were started in early 1935 with all of the structures to be built of Morton Gneiss, a hard durable rock from quarries in nearby Morton, Minnesota. Construction was started but only partially completed on a latrine in the lower area, the custodian's residence, and a shelter when CCC Company 2712 was disbanded. On November 1, 1935 the CCC camp closed due to lack of funding.

Veterans Move In To Complete the Park
On October 7, 1936 the Veterans Conservation Corp (VCC) Company 2713 arrived in Fort Ridgely State Park to complete the park. This experienced company of veterans came from Camden State Park, where they completed the development of that new park. Shortly after their arrival the VCC quickly resumed construction of the partially-built picnic shelters, latrine, custodian's residence, and drinking fountains.

Feeling the restoration of Fort Ridgely was their main purpose, the VCC, under the direction of an NPS archaeologist, did the archaeological excavation work. Late in 1936, reconstruction of the old commissary was started with stone quarried from the quarry that provided stone for the original building. Upon the completion of the park projects in July 1939, VCC Company 2713 again moved, this time to a camp in northern Minnesota.

All photographs courtesy of the
National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Fort Ridgely
State Park and
Historic Site


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

Enterprise Academy

0
0
Alabama, Coffee County, Enterprise

Beloved leader and principal of this institution, later known as Carroll Street School, was William M. Donald (1870-1941)

His philosophy of education: "Apply yourself. Excellence is attained through self discipline and hard work. Learn the rules. Gain knowledge. Knowledge is power. No one can take it away from you."

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

Dewi Saraswati

0
0
District of Columbia, Washington, Northwest

Goddess Saraswati is portrayed standing straight, facing forward,
looking to the right direction, depicting positive thinking based on the values of truth.

Universally, Saraswati is known as the goddess of knowledge and art. Embodied as a beautiful woman as a symbol that science
is something beautiful and attractive. In her hands she brings:
*Book/Lontar Leaf symbolizing knowledge
*Mandolin symbolizing art and culture
*Aksamala/Rosary/Tasbih beads symbolizing unlimited knowledge
*Lotus flower symbolizing holiness
*Swan symbolizing wisdom


(Arts, Letters, Music • Government • Politics) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Lt. Zebulon Pike's Southwestern Expedition

0
0
Colorado, Alamosa County, near Alamosa
Travel the route of these explorers and read Lt. Pike’s own words from his journal.

U.S. Army Expedition to explore the United States new southwest boundary with New Spain.

The men:
Lt. Zebulon M. Pike
Dr. John H. Robinson
Sgt. William Meek
Corp. Jeremish Jackson
privates:
John Brown
Jacob Carter
William Gordon
Theodore Miller
John Mountjoy
Alexander Roy
Freegift Stout

The Expedition:
29th January: 1807 (Pike)
“Finding the distance too great to attempt crossing immediately to the river, ... we marched obliquely to a copse of woods, which made a considerable distance from the mountains. Saw sign of horses.
30th January: 1807 (Pike)
We marched hard and arrived in the evening on the bank of Rio del Norte”.

Site of this sign:
You are standing upon a trail well traveled for centuries. The mountains towering above form a ring around Mount Blanca, known to the Navajo as the Sacred Mtn. of the East. Today, thousands of visitors annually make their own trek to the Great Sand Dunes and San Luis Lakes. These natural wonders have been destinations for humans since ancient times.

From the careful logbooks by early explorers like Lewis & Clark and Zebulon Pike, the mapmakers of Washington were kept busy creating new images of the mostly unknown Rocky Mountains. This original map was published in 1807.

November 27th:
“The unbounded prairie was overhung with clouds, which appeared like the ocean in a storm ... the thermometer ... here fell to 4 degrees below 0.”
1806 (Pike)

December 25th:
“800 miles from the frontiers of our country, in the most inclement season of the year, not one person clothed for the winter; many without blankets, ...”
1806 (Pike)

(Text in lower right corner is illegible)

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

Zebulon Pike's "sand-hills"

0
0
Colorado, Alamosa County, near Mosca
On January 28, 1807, Lt. Zebulon Pike and his small band of tattered, hungry, foot-sore soldiers camped near here, having just crossed this snowy Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Under orders from General James Wilkinson to explore the southwestern boundaries of the Louisiana Purchase and locate the Arkansas and Red Rivers, Lt. Pike became the first person known to describe the Great Sand Dunes in writing.

Jan. 27th. We marched, determined to cross the mountains ... After a bad day’s march through snows, in some places three feet deep, we struck on a brook which led west. This I followed down, and shortly came to a small stream (Sand Creek), running west, which we hailed with fervency as the waters of Red river. Saw some sign of elk. Distance 14 miles.

Jan 28th. Followed down the ravine ... After marching some miles, we discovered through the lengthy vista, at a distance, another chain of mountains; and nearer by, at the foot of the White (Sangre de Cristo) mountains which we were then descending, sandy hills.

We marched on the outlet of the mountains, left the sandy desert to our right, and kept down between it and the largest hills of sand, and with my glass could discover a large river (the Rio Grande) flowing ... through the plain. I returned to camp with news of my discovery. The sand-hills extended up and down the foot of the White (Sangre de Cristo) mountains about 15 miles, and appeared to be about 5 miles in width. Their appearance was exactly that of the sea in a storm, except as to color, not the least sign of vegetation existing thereon. Distance 15 miles.


- Lt. Zebulon Pike, January 28, 1807

(Lower Right Drawing Caption)
Pike’s journey took an unexpected turn a few days after his visit to the dunes. While camped along the Rio Grande which he mistook for the Red River, he was contacted by Spanish soldiers who informed him he was trespassing on Spanish territory. He and his men were escorted to Chihuahua, Mexico, and later returned to Louisiana.

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

Haleakala National Park

0
0
Hawaii, Maui County, Kula
The landscape of Haleakala National Park rises from a lush valley beneath a waterfall at sea level to a red desert of cinder cones here at the volcanic summit of Haleakala. An astounding array of climates and life zones lies in between. Yet the park’s many contrasting worlds are vitally linked. Rain that falls on the volcano’s slopes and carves its valleys nourishes a multitude of life forms.

You are now in kua mauna, the land above the clouds, where people never dwelled for long. Ka po’e kahiko, the people of old, only came to this sacred place for specific reasons requiring training and understanding. At the foot of the mountain lies kahakai, the costal lands, inhabited and cultivated for centuries. Haleakala National Park preserves and helps perpetuate the cultural richness of both kua mauna, kahakai, and the diverse features in between. It is all here for you to explore.

Kipahulu: Costal District-Trails skirt dramatic coastline or follow pooling streams to Waimoku Falls at the head of a densely forested valley. At Kipahulu you can get a sense of how people lived in old village sites, cultural demonstrations, and a living taro farm are preserved and perpetuated.

(Natural Features • Notable Places) Includes location, directions, 7 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Hawaiian Goose or Nene (Nay-Nay

0
0
Hawaii, Maui County, Kula
The Nene is a native Hawaiian Goose that lives in the wild on the islands of Hawaii and Maui. This rare State bird is believed to have descended from the Canada Goose, and isolated on these islands for thousands of years, it has evolved into a distinct species. The reduced webbing of the foot and the ruffle-feathered neck are characteristic of this bird. Living in patches of meadow bounded by lava, the Nene thrives on a diet of berries and grasses.

By the mid 1940’s, when Hawaii’s wild Nene population was less than 50 birds, an international effort, centered in England was initiated to save the species from extinction. As of 1975, over 1400 birds have been released on Maui and Hawaii; of these, 391 were set free in Haleakala National Park. Additional young are now reared in these two holding pens; a critical factor in this project is to “imprint” them to this elevation and climate.

Through the dedication of many concerned individuals, the Nene has been temporarily saved. Hopefully, in a world enriched by its wildlife, this unique Hawaiian bird will continue to survive.

(Animals • Environment) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Wind, Wave and Wings-Oodemas maulense-

0
0
Hawaii, Maui County, Kula
The Hawaiian Islands are very isolated. Colonizing species arrived, against overwhelming odds, by wind, waves, or wings as a small group or flock, or even just a single individual. A species survival depended upon ability to find suitable food and habitat to sustain life and allow reproduction. Once here the colonizers were isolated from all other individuals of their species. In this isolation, the new arrivals adapted to diverse habitats and ultimately evolved into new species.

From a single colonizing species the small, rare snout weevils (Oodemas), found only in the Hawaiian Islands, evolved into 62 different species. Fifteen species are found with Haleakala National Park. Many snout weevils are found only in a very restricted habitat, such as, the summit of Haleakala. The Hawaiian species have evolved in isolation for so long that the original ancestor is unknown.

A favorite food for birds, adult Oodemas weevils hide under bark and in mosses and leaf litter by day; at night, these tiny weevils emerge to feed on native plants. The species shown is less than 3/16 of an inch long.

(Animals • Environment) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Ranch Wall

0
0
Hawaii, Maui County, Kula
This ranch wall stacked stone by stone in the late 1800s, represents an investment in the land. Stretching for two miles, it guided cattle through the harsh landscape of Haleakala to pasture lands on the east and west sides of Maui. The ranching era shaped the economy and communities of Maui, which value rugged independence, self reliance, and sustainability. The paniolo (cowboy) culture still lives today on the slopes of Haleakala in neighboring ranches and communities.

Cattle also had a devastating impact on native vegetation, completely destroying some native forests and dramatically reducing others. The National Park’s investment in the land includes over 30 miles of fences to protect and preserve unique species, such as “ahinanima (silversword), and subalpine scrublands. Fences exclude cattle, pigs, goat, deer, and other grazers from destroying protected land in the park, providing resource managers the opportunity to restore and revive the native landscape.

By 1960 more than two million acres in Hawaii were used for cattle grazing, mostly in the cooler uplands. Whether ranch wall or park fence, boundaries delineate contracts in land use philosophies, between taming a wilderness landscape or preserving it in its original state.

The trail is dangerous…when you have cattle like that, some of those sharp turns and steep banks, and it drops off and all that loose gravel…you don’t know what is going to happen. Retired ranch foreman Johnny Sakamoto, describing the cattle drive down Halemau’u Trail.

(Animals • Industry & Commerce) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Pa Ka'oao White Hill Trail

0
0
Hawaii, Maui County, Kula
The trail climbs to the top of a volcanic cinder cone for views of the Haleakala Wilderness Area and the highest peaks of the Big Island. At first glance the trail environment seems nothing but barren rock. Yet these rocks are living habitat for nesting “ua’u, ahinahina (silversword), and a dramatic mini-world of wolf spiders, flightless moths, and yellow-faced bees. Although the summit can appear hostile to people, temporary shelters, visible on the rock slopes below the trail, testify to a long human history.

‘Ua’u (Hawaiian petrels) spend most of their lives at sea, but return here to dig nesting burrows under rocky outcrops.

The ground-hunting wolf spider weaves no web but builds burrows under rocks.

0.4 mile round trip (643 m)-Steep, rock uneven, 140 feet elevation gain.

Bring a jacket - conditions can turn windy, wet and cold.

Stay on the trail. And leave everything in place: shifting rocks can destroy an animal’s home, sever the root of a young “ahinahina (silversword), or disturb a cultural site.

Keonehe’ehe’e (Sliding Sands trailhead is near the end of the parking lot.

(Animals • Environment) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Holy Ghost Catholic Church

0
0
Hawaii, Maui County, Kula
Holy Ghost Catholic Church has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior

(Churches, Etc.) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Master Navigators

0
0
Hawaii, Maui County, Wailuku

Navigators!
Visually, the open ocean is a featureless environment. This makes it difficult to use sight for navigation. Hammerhead sharks can travel vast distances across the ocean by detecting electromagnetic fields around the Earth. Electromagnetic fields are produced as a result of differences in polarity between the north and south poles.

(Animals • Science & Medicine) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Grain Mills

0
0
New York, Niagara County, Ransomville
This was the site of Jackson's Mill. Foote's Mill operated on Academy Street. Both mills were critical to agri-business and the community and destroyed by fire.

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

Haleki'i and Pihanakalani Heiaus

0
0
Hawaii, Maui County, Wailuku
A heiau is a Hawaiian religious structure which centralized the ceremonies and rituals of old Hawaii. The construction of a heiau was directed by the highest chiefs or alii and required a great expenditure of organized labor. The ceremonies and offerings at heiau were overseen by priests or kahunas. Halekii translates to “house of images.” It is believed that Halekii heiau was a chiefly complex with images of ki’i placed on the terraces. Kahekili, chief of Maui, lived and worshiped at Haieki’i during religious observances in the 1760s. Pihanakalani translates to “gathering place of high supernatural beings.” Pihanakaiani is recorded as a luakini neiau. Luakini heiaus were dedicated to Ku, the god of war, and were built for success in war. It is not known when Halekii and Pihanakalani heiaus were built. According to tradition, the menehunes built the heiaus one night in the distant past with stones from nearby ‘lao Stream. In 1819, the traditional Hawaiian religion was abolished. At this time the images were taken away, the structures on the heiaus were dismantled and the heiaus were abandoned.

(Churches, Etc.) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site

0
0
Hawaii, Kauai County, Kawaihae

Welcome to Pu’ukohola Heiau, one of the most famous heiau (temples) in the Hawaiian Islands. This heiau is an integral component of the traditional Hawaiian social, political, and religious systems, and a significant place in the history of King Kamehameha I, who brought the Hawaiian Islands together under one rule.

Pu’ukohola Heiau is a National Historic Site administered by the National Park Service and held in stewardship for the common benefit for Hawaiian people, for people of the United States, and for the world. Stories about Pu’ukolola are found in oral traditions and in written records, providing us with the resources to paint a picture of life and events at Pu’ukohola during the time of Kamehameha I. However, opinions vary greatly on interpretation of these historical events, and the viewpoint expressed here is just one of many.

(Anthropology • Churches, Etc. • Man-Made Features) Includes location, directions, 7 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
Viewing all 103121 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images