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Union Canal

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Pennsylvania, Berks County, Reading
In use, 1828-1884. It connected the Schuylkill at Reading with the Susquehanna at Middletown. About a mile east, at tip of Fritts Island, are remains of easternmost lock. It passed boats traveling to and from Philadelphia by way of Schuylkill Navigation.

(Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

James Maurer

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Pennsylvania, Berks County, Reading
Labor leader and advocate for child labor reform, pensions, and the state's first workers’ compensation act. Self-educated, Maurer was elected president of the Pennsylvania Federation of Labor from 1912-1928. He served as state legislator from Reading as a Socialist (1910-1918). He ran unsuccessfully for vice president of the United States on the Socialist ticket in 1928 and 1932. He was a lifelong Reading resident.

(Labor Unions • Politics) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Jackson’s Lock and the Port of Reading

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Pennsylvania, Berks County, Reading
The Port of Reading was one of a number of major inland port towns located along the navigable waterways in Pennsylvania. It was at Reading that the Union Canal joined with the Schuylkill Navigation System. The Union Canal extended along the Tulpehocken Creek, connecting the interior of Pennsylvania and the Susquehanna River with the Schuylkill River, the main route to Philadelphia. A vessel traveling south toward Philadelphia along the Union Canal would have entered into the Schuylkill River at Reading, crossed over to the Schuylkill Canal and proceeded south through the Schuylkill Navigation System. A vessel traveling north bound for the Susquehanna would have done the opposite.

Worker’s Memorial
Designed by William Hildebrand of John A. Roebling Son’s Co. of Trenton, New Jersey, this footbridge was constructed between 1886 and 1887 and provided a safe pedestrian route spanning the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad lines at the Outer Station in North Reading. The bridge was dismantled in 1983, and one of the two steel support towers was relocated here to Heritage Park, where today it serves as the Workers Memorial tower.

(Inscription over the image on the left)
Model of Jackson’s Lock-Built by Glenn Weinrich, Housed at the River Place Development Corporation-Photographed by Bob Behling.

(Inscription under the image in the upper center)
Captain John Heister’s excursion boats “Rosa” and “Currie” above Jackson’s Lock-Historical Society of Berks County

(Inscription above the image in the upper right)
View from Penn Street Bridge looking north, Reading Canal foreground. Leinbach’s Hill at left, Lebanon Valley Railroad at center. C. Late 1800s.

This project has been supported in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through the Schuylkill River Heritage Area Grant Program.

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

Wedding of the Waters

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New York, Erie County, Buffalo
It was at this spot on the morning of October 26, 1825, that Governor DeWitt Clinton officially opened the waterway that transformed America. More than eight years had passed since he broke ground on the canal, and after 363 miles, the engineering marvel was finally finished.

Clinton stepped on board a packet boat, the Seneca Chief, which was bound for New York City on the symbolic first voyage along the canal. On board, two wooden kegs filled with Lake Erie water accompanied other symbolic Great Lakes cargo. Behind Clinton, a stately procession of canal boats followed in a celebratory parade.

In an extrordinary mural owned by the Niagara County Historical Society History Center, artist Raphael Beck immortalizes the canal opening festivities in his hometown of Lockport. The flight of five locks feature prominently at the center. Canal Opening Festivities, Lockport, Postcard. As the procession passed across New York State, citizens from town to town showed ther enthusiasm with parades, music, and cannon blasts. The canal opened trade from the Great Lakes to the Eastern Seaboard and Europe; with it came the promise of commerce and progress.

On November 4, the boats reached the end of the canal, at Albany. From there, steamboats escorted the Seneca Chief down the Hudson River to the New York City Harbor. In a triumphant ceremony, Governor Clinton poured the Lake Erie water into the Atlantic, wedding the Great Lakes to the ocean.

All images are courtesy of the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society.

From a green keg with gilded hoops, Gov. DeWitt Clinton pours the waters from Lake Erie into the Atlantic Ocean. Wedding of the Waters Postcard. Keg Reproduction. Wood, metal. After a series of festivities, the Seneca Chief returned home to Buffalo on November 23. On board, an elaborately adorned keg marked "Neptune's Return to Pan" carried water from the Atlantic. In a less elaborate ceremony two days later, Judge Samuel Wilkeson poured the briny ocean water into Buffalo's harbor, completing the Wedding of the Waters.

Joseph Ellicott's preserved parchment invitiation welcoming him to the event. Meeting of the Waters," invitation, September 29, 1826.

(Waterways & Vessels) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Friends Cemetery of the Springborough Quaker Meeting

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Ohio, Warren County, Springboro
Members of the religious Society of Friends were instrumental in the founding and development of Springboro.

This plot contains the remains of Springboro founder Jonathan Wright (1782- 1855), a Quaker leader who donated part of his land holdings to his Meeting for this cemetery.

Also buried here are other members of the Wright family including Jonathan’s father, Joel, who platted Louisville, Kentucky, and Columbus and Dayton, Ohio. Other burials include Revolutionary War veteran John Mullen, and pioneer orchard magnate, Jesse Wilson; and several African Americans who had no burial site of their own.

The Friends Meeting House of Springboro once stood inside the front gate.

After the Springborough Meeting was laid down, the plot was Maintained by the Miami Monthly Meeting in Waynesville, until 1996, when the cemetery was deeded to the City of Springboro.

(Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches, Etc. • Settlements & Settlers) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Walter Johnson House

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Maryland, Montgomery County, Bethesda
This property has been
Placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places

By the United States
Department of the Interior

(Sports) Includes location, directions, 8 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Walter Johnson

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Maryland, Montgomery County, Bethesda
A champion on and off the field
His Greatness
An Enduring Contribution to Baseball.
        Games Won ________ 414
        Shut Outs __________ 113
        Strike Outs ________ 3497
        Opening Game Shut Outs 7
Scoreless Consecutive Innings 56

(Sports) Includes location, directions, 8 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Wallace Stevens

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Pennsylvania, Berks County, Reading
A major 20th century American poet, Stevens was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his “Collected Poems” in 1955. Works such as "Bantams in Pinewoods," "Harmonium," and "The Auroras of Autumn" combined poetic language with serious philosophical ideas. His birthplace was here.

(Arts, Letters, Music) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Wallace Stevens

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Pennsylvania, Berks County, Reading
Birthplace of the internationally acclaimed poet. He attended Reading's High School for Boys, Harvard College and New York University Law School and combined successful careers as an insurance company executive and award winning poet. In 1955 the collected poems of Wallace Stevens won both the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the National Book Award.

(Arts, Letters, Music) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Lt. George H. Derby

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California, San Diego County, San Diego
Dedicated to
Lt. George H. Derby U.S.A
1823 — 1861
Humorist, Engineer, and Builder of
the first dike to safeguard San
Diego Bay as a navigable harbor.
San Diego Chapter D.A.R.
San Diego Chapter S.A.R.
Nov. 3, 1962

(Arts, Letters, Music • Waterways & Vessels) Includes location, directions, 7 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Construction of the North-South Highway and the Central American University

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El Salvador, San Salvador, San Salvador

Reconocimiento
a la Universidad Centroamericana
“Jose Simeon Cañas”
por su ayuda a las comunidades que estaban
afectadas por la autopista norte-sur.
Comite civico
Fernando Flores Presidente
Adan Mena M. Coordinador General
Alejandro Guevara Sindico
San Salv. Dic. 1988

English translation:
Recognition
to the Central American University
“Jose Simeon Cañas”
for their help to communities
affected by the north-south highway construction.
Civic committee
Fernando Flores, President
Adan Mena M., General Coordinator
Alejandro Guevara, Representative
San Salvador, December 1988



(Bridges & Viaducts • Roads & Vehicles) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Mission San Xavier del Bac

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Arizona, Pima County, Tucson
Mission San Xavier del Bac was founded by Father Eusebio Kino as a Catholic mission in 1692. This Baroque architecture style building is the oldest intact European structure in Arizona. Construction began in 1783 and was completed in 1797. The "White Dove" has served the religious needs of its parishioners for over 300 years.

Glydie Ann Nelson, State President
National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century
November 15, 2012

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

In Honor of the Rexburg Stake Pioneers

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Idaho, Madison County, Rexburg

Erected Sept. 28, 1935
In honor of the Rexburg Stake Pioneers
The founders of Rexburg, March 11, 1883
Thomas E. Ricks• Henry Flamm • Francis C. Gunnell • Fred Smith• William F. Rigby • Daniel Walters • Thomas E. Ricks, Jr. • Lorenzo Thorpe • Brigham Ricks • Heber Ricks • Leonard Jones • Willard Ricks • James M. Cook • Andrew S. Anderson, Surveyor

The Pioneer Call
“Go into the Snake River Country, found settlements, care for the Indians, stand upon and equal footing, and Co-operate in making improvements. Gain influence among all men, and strengthen the cords of the Stakes of Zion.”

John Taylor, George Q. Cannon, Joseph F. Smith
Members of the Rexburg Stake and Utah Pioneers Trails and Landmarks Association

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

The Free State of Van Zandt

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Texas, Van Zandt County, near Van
Pioneer nickname appropriate to this area’s many freedoms–particularly from want and fear. (Food was obtained with little effort; and although the Indians fought white men here as late as 1842, the settlers by 1847 slept in the open with no dread of Indians or wild animals.) According to tradition, Van Zandt County (created 1848) also by a legal accident had freedom from sharing debts of its parent county, Henderson–and was proud of that unusual advantage.
     Other parts of Texas share “Free State” traditions. An 1826 “Republic of Fredonia” was proclaimed in Nacogdoches and endured for a few weeks. Along the Mexican border, citizens maintained in 1839-1840 the “Republic of the Rio Grande”. Because it developed great self-reliance in recurring border troubles, Hidalgo County called itself a republic, 1852-1872. A Panhandle county formed the secessionist “Free State of Ochiltree” in the 1890's.
     All secessions have been brief. When Texas in 1845 voted to become a part of the United States, it was given (but declined) the right to become five states. Such movements as “The Free State of Van Zandt” soon lost force. Ten proud years as the Republic of Texas invoke unusual loyalty to the state.

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

Brady P. Gentry

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Texas, Van Zandt County, near Van
A man whose public service was of highest order. Born on a farm near this site in Van Zandt County. Educated at Cumberland University (Tennessee) and Tyler Commercial College, was County Attorney and County Judge of Smith County. As chairman of Texas Highway Commission, 1939-1945, he traveled almost every Texas highway to learn road needs of state. Aided long-range financial strength of highway program by supporting the reservation of road-use revenue for road building.
     An authority of highway policy, Gentry served in 1943 as president of the American Association of State Highway Officials. In that capacity he aided post-war expansion in use of motore vehicles by implementing legislation to provide funds for farm-to-market roads and the first major expressways in the country.
     Interested in education, Gentry helped to establish Tyler Junior College. He served as U.S. Congressman, 1953-1957, for Third Congressional District of Texas. A member of committees for public works and roads, he helped design legislation for interstate highway system. Refused to vote along merely political lines.
     The pre-eminent position of the Texas Highway Department and the high quality of roads in Texas and the U.S. are a tribute to the ability of Brady P. Gentry.

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

Skew Bridge

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Pennsylvania, Berks County, Reading
Regarded best example of skew bridge in U.S. Designed by Richard Osborn for the P & R Railroad in 1857. Each course of the arch of 40 feet is laid in ellipsoidal curve, each stone properly curved. There is no keystone.

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

Hessian Camp

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Pennsylvania, Berks County, Reading
After Burgoyne's surrender, 1777, German mercenaries, mostly Hessian, were held prisoners at various places until end of war. Those brought to Reading, 1781, were encamped until 1783 in huts on the hillside a quarter-mile to the north.

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

Lincoln Homestead

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Pennsylvania, Berks County, Reading
President Lincoln’s great-great grand-father Mordecai purchased Andrew Robeson’s land and built the stone house that stands about 1 1/4 miles south of here in 1733. Mordecai Lincoln served as Justice of the Peace of Philadelphia County from 1733 to 1736, and was a friend and colleague of George Boone Jr., uncle of the pioneer Daniel Boone. Abraham Lincoln referred to his ancestors from Berks County, Pennsylvania in letters.

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

Union Canal

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Pennsylvania, Berks County, Reading
This canal was operated from 1828-1884. It connected the Schuylkill at Reading with the Susquehanna at Middletown. Remains of tow path can be seen .3 mile southeast of here, along the Tulpehocken Creek.

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

Downtown Historic District

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Michigan, Ingham County, Williamston
(Side 1)
Williamston grew where two Native American trails crossed. In 1834, settlers Hiram and Joseph Putnam built the north-south road that became Putnam Street. Construction of the Grand River Turnpike from Detroit to Grand Rapids in 1851 created Grand River Avenue. Starting in 1840, brothers Oswald, Horace and James Williams built a dam, saw mill and grist mill on the Red Cedar River. By 1871, when rail service came, the town had become a farm market center and boasted more than twelve hundred residents. After a short boom, the population declined until Grand River Avenue was paved circa 1923. The improved road encouraged auto tourism and allowed residents to commute to work instead of moving.

(Side 2)
The Williamston Downtown Historic District reflects changes in small town commercial architecture from the 1870s to the 1950s. Some buildings date to 1874. One housed a hardware store continuously from 1888 through the time this marker was erected. The building styles include Second Empire, Italianate, Late Victorian, and Commercial Brick. In 1895, and again in 1915, fire destroyed several downtown businesses. Locals committed to preservation began refurbishing structures in the 1960s. In 1971, businessmen purchased the Andrews Hotel, built in 1887, to save it from demolition. The Williamston Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.

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