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Archeology at Brawner Farm

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Virginia, Manassas

Once the scene of bloody combat, Brawner Farm sits today in a quiet corner of Manassas Battlefield. Archeologists have conducted multiple investigations of the property, which have uncovered the site of several structures and unearthed thousands of artifacts. This rich assemblage of domestic and military objects provides valuable information about those that lived and fought here.

Excavations revealed the foundations of an earlier house partly underneath the current structure, and this earlier house was the one that stood during the Second Battle of Manassas. The chimney pile before you is all that remains of a large outbuilding believed to have served as a combined kitchen and slave quarter. Surveys of the yard produced evidence of former inhabitants - both free and enslaved - including pottery, dishes, tools, jewelry, and children's toys. Mixed in among these household items were heavy concentrations of military artifacts, which have contributed to our understanding of the positions and movements of unites during the battle. Together these discoveries shed light on the rich history of Brawner Farm, but also serve as a poignant reminder of the war's impact on local residents.

Captions:
Evidence of inhabitants included jewelry (left), clay marbles (center top), pieces of glass and pottery possibly used as gaming counters by slaves (center bottom), and a prewar padlock (right).

Artifacts from the August 1862 battle included dropped bullets (left), the sabot and base from a 3-inch Dyer artillery shell (center), and military buttons (right).

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

1815 Michigan Meridian

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Ohio, Fulton, near Fayette
After the war of 1812, the United State Congress proposed two million acres of military bounty land for the Michigan Territory. To survey the land, the meridian had to first be established. U.S. Surveyor General Edward Tiffin created the meridian based on the western line of the Treaty of Detroit (1807). He contracted with Deputy Surveyor Benjamin Hough in April 1815 to begin the survey for $3 per mile. Taking a reading from Polaris (the North Star). Hough, Alexander Holmes, and 11 crew members surveyed the line due north from Fort Defiance. The difficult terrain they encountered temporarily halted all surveys in the territory and ultimately led to the bounty land being transferred to the Illinois and Missouri Territories.

Northwest Ohio and Toledo Chapters PLSO
Central Chapter MSPS
Jospeh D. Fenicle, PS
The Ohio Historical Society


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

1881 Smith County Jail

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Texas, Smith County, Tyler
Houston architect Eugene T. Heiner and builder Henry Kane designed and built this structure in 1880-81 to serve as Smith County's fourth jail. An 1894 second-story addition doubled the jail's cell space. The building was replaced by a new jail in 1916 and subsequently housed the Lewis Hotel until 1986. It features classical detailing of the Italianate style, a stucco finish scored to look like cut stone, elaborate window molds and consoles, and classical beltcourses.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1993

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

Battling for the Rocky Knoll

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Virginia, Manassas

Stonewall Jackson's defensive line extended nearly two miles - from Sudley Church to the Brawner Farm. Many of his 24,000 troops were posted behind the cuts and fills of the unfinished railroad grade before you. The formidable position enabled Jackson to confront an enemy twice the size of his own command until Longstreet's troops could reach the battlefield.

Throughout the day, the heaviest attacks fell on General Maxcy Gregg's South Carolina brigade, which anchored the left end of the Confederate line. Crowded atop a rocky knoll behind the railroad grade, Gregg's 1,200 men withstood six separate assaults. With his brigade on the brink of collapse, Gregg brandished his grandfather's Revolutionary War sword, waved it around his head, and exhorted, "Let us die here, my men, let us die here!" His words rallied the troops. Although outnumbered, exhausted, and nearly out of ammunition, Gregg's line held.

Captions:
Brig. Gen. Maxcy Gregg

The largest threat of the day came at 5 p.m., when General Philip Kearny's Union division assailed Jackson's left flank.

The grave of Lt. Col. Daniel Ledbetter of the 1st (Orr's) South Carolina Rifles, located in Sudley Church cemetery.

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

Symbolism of the McKinley National Memorial

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Ohio, Stark County, Canton

Each detail incorporated into the Monument was designed to symbolically tell the visitor about William McKinley.

According to the architect’s writings Harold Van Buren Magonigle’s design considered these factors:
    • The Memorial was to be dedicated to a great man of simple and dignified life.
    • It was to be erected in a small city, not a metropolitan center.
    • The funds were not such to warrant a lavish display, even if that had been appropriate, which it was not.

In the most basic terms the design was a long vista between walls of foliage leading up to a green terraced hill crowned by the Monument.

The Statue
Half way up the staircase stands a large bronze statue of President McKinley. The sculptor, Charles Henry Niehaus, based his design on a photograph by Francis B. Johnston of the President giving his last speech in Buffalo shortly before he was shot. It is 9½ feet tall and depicts President McKinley holding a manuscript of his speech. Behind him is a chair, symbolic of the chair of state, with a 45-star flag draped over it.

The Exterior Lunette
Above the doorway to the entrance of the Monument is a bronze exterior lunette, representing the Victories of Peace. The seated female figure is the Republic, protecting her domain with her cloak. On her right, War lays his sword and shield at her feet. On her left, another youth offers the products of industry. In the background a laurel tree spreads its leaves, expressing the flowering and fruition of Peace.

The Interior Lunette
On the opposite side of the exterior lunette is the interior lunette. It represents the power of the President both in peace and in war. The circular Presidential seal sits in the center above the sword, obscuring the blade. There are stylized fasces (bound wooden rods) on each side, symbolic of supreme power and authority. On the far right and left are cornucopia, which stand for the abundance of peace.

The Skylight
At the top of the dome is a magnificent red, white and blue stained glass skylight. It has 45 stars in it representing the 45 states that were in the Union at the time of the President’s death. While it was part of the original design, the skylight was never installed.

White Associates, a Canton glass company, constructed the current skylight using the original plans. It was installed during a restoration project that coincided with the bicentennial celebration of the United States in 1976.

The Sarcophagus
In the center of the Monument rests the double sarcophagus carved from dark green granite from Windsor, Vermont. It is carved from a single block, but designed to appear as two-in-one. It rests on a base of “Black Berlin” granite from Wisconsin. Lions’ heads carved into the four corners of the base guard the President. Around the top of the double sarcophagus is a band of gilded laurel, symbolizing the triumph of love over death. Gold plated bronze letters spell out the simple names: William McKinley, Ida McKinley.

It would be far more dignified and impressive to raise the double sarcophagus above the mortuary chamber floor so that visitors should lift their eyes to the illustrious dead.”- Architect Harold Van Buren Magonigle
The Overall Design

Magonigle envisioned the Monument at the center of a large cross, representing the martyred President. The approach roads, “Long Water,” and the main flight of stairs form the southern arm of the cross. Smaller flights of stairs create the eastern and western arms, and the northern arm is outlined by a straight driveway. The cross also forms the handle of a sword, symbolizing McKinley’s military career and his role as Commander-in-Chief during the Spanish-American War.

The blade of the sword was formed by what was called the “Long Water,” a 575-foot lagoon made up of five different levels, each 20 inches higher than the one before. The water cascaded down and ended in a reflecting pool. It was taken out in the 1950s due to poor circulation and was filled in and landscaped.

Around the base of the dome is a quotation from the last speech that President McKinley ever gave. It gives profound insight into the type of person he was and the strong convictions that he lived by. It reads:
Let us ever remember that our interest is in concord, not conflict, and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not those of war.”

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

Ohio War Memorial

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Ohio, Stark County, Canton
Paving on the overlook and
curbing in this motor court
are dedicated as a memorial
To Our Soldiers of All Wars
The Lincoln Highway
Memorial Association   1949

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

McKinley National Memorial

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Ohio, Stark County, Canton
Final resting place of William McKinley
Twenty-fifth President of the
United States of America

A government like ours rests upon the
intelligence, morality and patriotism
of the people
.

Speech delivered by
President William McKinley
December 20, 1898

Donated by Monument Builders of Ohio

(Cemeteries & Burial Sites) Includes location, directions, 7 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Rutherford B. Hayes

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Ohio, Sandusky County, Fremont
Rutherford B. Hayes
Nineteenth President of the
United States of America

He serves his party best
who serves his country best
.

Inaugural Address
March 5, 1877

Donated by Monument Builders of Ohio

(Notable Persons) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Home of Col. Joseph Borden 2nd

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New Jersey, Burlington County, Bordentown
Home of Col. Joseph Borden 2nd. Son of the founder of Bordentown. Patriot, Statesman, Soldier, Judge. Restored after burning by the British 1778.

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

Patience Lowell Wright

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New Jersey, Burlington County, Bordentown
Patience Lovell Wright was America’s first professional sculptor and a self-appointed Revolutionary War spy. A native of Bordentown, she lived in this house after her marriage to Joseph Wright in 1748. She learned from her sister, Rachel, how to sculpt wax figurines and the two women created wax exhibits, which they took on tour, receiving commissions for portraits. Patience Wright was the first American artist to focus on creating wax figurines of living figures, traveling to London to seek new subjects for her sculptures. While in London, Wright met Ben Franklin, who introduced her to many prominent members of London society, and she was commissioned to create sculptures of the king and queen of England. As relations worsen between England and America, Wright took it upon herself to become a spy and sent information home to America hidden in wax heads. The only remaining full-size work of Wright’s that exists today is a wax figure displayed in Westminster Abbey, London. Wright remained in England for the rest of her life.

“A woman of remarkable intelligence and conversational powers, whose life-sized figures and busts of contemporary notabilities and historical groups were superior to anything of the kind previously seen.”
Comment regarding Patience Lowell Wright in the Dictionary of National Biography.

(Side Bar)
In this residence, Patience Lowell Wright created original three dimensional portrait wax sculptures of family, friends, and neighbors. Because of her unique contributions to American art and culture, Ms. Wright is on the New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail.

The New Jersey Women’s Heritage Trail highlights a collection of historic sites located around the state that represent the significant contributions women made to the history of our state. The Heritage Trail brings to life the vital role of women in New Jersey’s past and present.

(Arts, Letters, Music • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Bordentown Military Institute

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New Jersey, Burlington County, Bordentown
Founded in 1881
“Rather Be Than Seem”
dedicated 19 October 1996 by the BMT Alumni Association to the memory of the Cadets and Faculty of the Bordentown Military Institute which stood on the site from 1881 to 1972.

BMT was an institution totally dedicated to the education of young men in the strongest traditions of the heritage of our great nation. BMI Graduates have served their communities and country with honor and distinction.

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

Bordentown Military Institute

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New Jersey, Burlington County, Bordentown

(Top Panel)
“Old Main” was the administrative and academic center of the Bordentown Military Institute, which stood on this site from 1881 to 1972. BMI and “Old Main” stood as a testimonial that God, duty, honor and country are, and forever will be the most noble paths to follow. God Bless America. 19 October 1996 The BMI Alumni Association

(Bottom Panel)
This Main Building a part of the estate of Joseph Bonaparte, ex-king of Spain, was built according to tradition about 1820 for his secretary Monsieur Louis Mailliard. Remodeled and enlarged in 1837 and again in 1881. It sheltered: 1837 The Spring Villa Seminary for Girls, conducted by Monsieur A. N. Girault; 1870 The New Jersey Collegiate Institute conducted by Edgar and Edwin Haas; 1881 Rev. William C. Bowen began here the Bordentown Military Institute; 1885 The Institute was reorganized by the Rev. Thompson H. Landon, D.D. and continued by him and his son Brigadier General Thomas D. Landon. This tablet presented by class of 1933.

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

Fort Holes

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Minnesota, Stearns County, Saint Cloud
About one block east of this marker, near the site of the Gray Laboratory School, stood Fort Holes, for a brief time a reminder of the panic accompanying the Sioux uprising of 1862. As fighting flared, frightened settlers streamed into nearby villages, where stockades were erected.

Fort Holes was one of many such stockades. Named for Samuel Holes, a captain of militia whose advice had been followed in its construction and who helped build it, the Fort overlooked the river, the flats to the south and the river landing at the foot of what is now Tenth Street.

Jane Grey Swisshelm described the Fort. “The outer wall is a framework put together and planked up and down the outside from ten to twelve feet and shelving outward so that it cannot be scaled with a ladder. The wall is three feet thick at the base and one and one-half at the height of six or seven feet and filled with soil….There are two entrances at which are hung heavy gates…”

Fort Holes never was used by St. Cloud residents because the danger of attack faded. It did house refugees from the countryside. By 1864, the Fort was rapidly disappearing as new settlers carried off the lumber. By 1875 it had vanished.

(Forts, Castles • Wars, US Indian) Includes location, directions, 1 photo, GPS coordinates, map.

Among the Illustrious Men

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Maryland, Baltimore
Among
The Illustrious Men
interred within this enclosure who
assisted in the achievement of
National Independence
are the Following
─── ─── ───
In the Revolution and the War of 1812
General Samuel Smith 1752-1838 Defender of Fort Mifflin 1777
Commander-in-Chief of the defense of Baltimore September 1814
General John Stricker 1759-1825 commander a the Battle of North Point Sept.12, 1814
General David Poe 1743-1815
Colonel Paul Bentalin 1735-1826
Major Samuel Sterrett 1758-1833

In The Revolution
General William Buchanan 1732-1804
General John Swan 1750-1821
Colonel David McClellan1741-1790
Colonel Nathaniel Ramsey 1741-1817
Major Nathaniel Smith -1793
Captain Frederick Folger -1820
Captain David Harris 1753-1817
Captain George P. Keeports 1753-1817
Captain John McClellan 1738-1820
Captain David Porter 1754-1808
Captain Joseph Smith -1817
Captain John Sterrett -1805
Lieutenant John McClure -1825
Dr. Andrew Aitken 1757-1809
James Calhoun 1743-1817 First Mayor of Baltimore 1787
John Boyd 1746-1790
Isaac Causten 1758-1833
Robert Gilmore1748-1822
Mayberry Helm 1710-1790820
James Jaffray -1820
Christopher Johnston 1751-1819
John McDonough 1737-1809
Robert Purviance 1734-1806
Christopher Raborg 1750-1815
John Smith 1722-1794
Robert Smith 1758-1842
William Smith 1728-1814
John Spear -1796
David Stewart 1746-1817
James Stirling 1751-1820
Matthew Swan 1743-1795
William W. Taylor 1769-1832
Dr. Abraham Van Bibber 1744-1905



In the War of 1812
Commodore Joseph James Nicholson 1781-1838
General Joseph Sterrett 1773-1821
Brigadier-General Benjamin Edes -1832
Aide-de-Camp George Pitt Stevenson 1791-1819
Colonel James A. Buchanan 1768-1840
Colonel David Harris 1770-1844
Colonel Samuel McClellan 1787-1858
Colonel James Mosher 1761-1845
Captain John Smith Hollins 1737-1856
Corporal Joseph Pearson 1785-1860
Elijah Porter Barrows 1768-1854
Cumberland Dugan 1747-1836
Hammond Dugan 1797-1841
William McClellan 1771-1814
James H. McCulloh -1836 Jonathan Meredith 1785-1872
Dr. Maxwell McDowell 1771-1848
James Purviance 1772-1836
Jacob Schley 1783-18327
John Torrance 1794-1832
Colonel John Stuart Skinner 1788-1851 who assisted
1780  Francis Scott Key  1843
to obtain the release of Dr. Wm Beanes from the British Fleet
in 1814 whose rescue led to the writing of the National Anthem

Erected by
The National Star-Spangled Banner Centennial Commission on the
Centenary of the signing of the treaty of Ghent Dec. 24, 1814

(War of 1812 • War, US Revolutionary) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Thatcher Hall

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New York, Saint Lawrence County, Potsdam

Thatcher Hall
Dr. Hervey Dexter Thatcher
1835-1925. Physician - Pharmacist
Inventor-Manufacturer
Owned first pasteurization plant.
Invented first glass milk bottle.

(Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

In Loving Memory

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New York, Saint Lawrence County, Potsdam
In loving memory of George W. Bonney, Frank G. Barclay, Harvey Clark, Oliver O. Emery, Howard E. Foote, Harold F. Gale, Roy D. Graves, Harold W. Griffiths, Ralph O. Hill, Charles E. McCarthy, Lawrence E. Perkins, Earl J. Santimaw, who died in the Great War. They gave their lives that we might live.

In honor of two hundred and seven Potsdam Normal School boys, soldiers in the United States Army, 1917-1918. They served to save their country.

(War, World I) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Vicente Suarez, Child Hero of Mexico

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Mexico, Distrito Federal, Mexico City

En este lugar murio la mañana
del 13 de Septiembre de 1847, en
defensa de la patria contra la
invasión norteamericana el
cadete del Colegio Militar
Vicente Suarez
Homenaje de la Asociacion
del Heroico Colegio Militar fundada
en 1871
México, D.F. a 13 de Septiembre de 1970

English translation:
In this place during the morning of September 13, 1847, while in defense of the homeland against the North American invasion, died the cadet of the Military College
Vicente Suarez
Tribute from the Military College Association founded in 1871
México City, Septembre 13, 1970

(Forts, Castles • Patriots & Patriotism • War, Mexican-American) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

French Cannon

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Ohio, Stark County, Canton

This cannon was taken by forces under the command of Admiral Dewey during the Spanish-American War in August 1898. It was being used for the defense of Santiago Harbor, in the Phillipines.

The cannon is made of bronze and was cast in Doury, France in June of 1748. It was cast during the reign of King Louis XV who was King of France from 1715 to 1774.
Inscriptions
Mars           God of War
Ultima Ratio Regum           by the Ultimate Account
De Bourbon           of the House of Burbon
Comie D’eu           Count of Eu
Duc D’Aumale           Duke ofNormandy
Pluribus Nec Impar           Not Inferior to all the Others

The inscriptions could be read to say,
“When it comes to making war, Louis Charles, by the ultimate account,
is better at it than most.”

(War, Spanish-American) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Francisco Marquez, Child Hero of Mexico

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Mexico, Distrito Federal, Mexico City

En este lugar murio la mañana
del 13 de Septiembre de 1847, en
defensa de la patria contra la
invasión norteamericana el
cadete del Colegio Militar
Francisco Marquez
Homenaje de la Asociacion
del Heroico Colegio Militar fundada
en 1871
México, D.F. a 13 de Septiembre de 1970

English translation:
In this place during the morning of September 13, 1847, while in defense of the homeland against the North American invasion, died the cadet of the Military College
Francisco Marquez
Tribute from the Military College Association founded in 1871
México City, Septembre 13, 1970

(Forts, Castles • Patriots & Patriotism • War, Mexican-American) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Spanish Mortar

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Ohio, Stark County, Canton

This mortar was taken by forces acting under the command of Admiral Dewey at Santiago Harbor, Philippines, in August 1898. The mortar was being used by the Spanish in defense of the harbor during the Spanish-American War.

The mortar is made of bronze and was cast in Seville, Spain in 1749 during the reign of King Ferdinand VI. He was King of Spain from 1746 to 1759.
Inscriptions
Ferdinand VI D.G. Hispaniar Rex           Ferdinand VI by the grace of God
  King of Spain
El Persiano                 Possibly the name of the person or company who made the mortar
Solano Fecit Sevilla Anod 1749           Completed at Seville in the year of Our Lord 1749

(War, Spanish-American) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
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