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Guibor's Battery

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Missouri, Lafayette County, Lexington

From this spot
Captain Guibor's Battery
shelled the Federal troops entrenched
on Masonic College Hill
during the Battle of Lexington
September 18, 19, 20, 1861

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


Early American Defeats

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Ohio, Lucas County, Maumee
Feeling confident after defeating the British in the Revolutionary War, the U.S. stood little chance of success against the better ordered Western Confederacy forces. As a result the well-organized natives led by Little Turtle and Blue Jacket defeated soldiers led by General Harmar (1790) and General St. Clair (1791).

Harmar's Defeat:
- 185 Dead

St. Clair's Defeat:
- 630 Dead (37 Officers)
- 283 Wounded

Worst American Defeat at the Hands of Natives

97.9% Casualty Rate


(Native Americans • Wars, US Indian) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Fighting Forces

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Ohio, Lucas County, Maumee
Following the disastrous defeats of U.S. Generals Harmar and St. Clair by the Western Confederacy, President George Washington recalled Anthony Wayne from retirement to lead a new U.S. fighting force.

Over the course of two years, General Wayne trained and marched 3,500 men - 2,000 Legionnaires and 1,500 Militia - to Northwestern Ohio.

Western Confederacy

In the years following the Revolutionary War, the Ohio country formed the western border of the U.S. as settlers moved to the area to claim new lands. Native American Nations in the Great Lakes Region banded together to form a formidable fighting force to protect their homelands. The Nations that contributed the most warriors to the confederacy were:
• Wyandot
• Delaware
• Ottawa
• Miami
• Shawnee
• Mingo

What's a Legion?

The Legion of the United States was the name given to the U.S. armed forces in 1792 by General Wayne after Congress passed a law to allow for the creation of a large standing army. A legion is divided into four equally sized units, called sub-legions, that included a detachment of mounted troops, infantry and light artillery.

(Native Americans • Wars, US Indian) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Replica of the Statue of Liberty

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Missouri, Lafayette County, Lexington

With the faith and courage of
their forefathers who made
possible the freedom of these
United States

The Boy Scouts of America

dedicate this copy of the
Statue of Liberty as a pledge
of everlasting fidelity and
loyalty

The Crusade to Strengthen Liberty

(War, Cold • Man-Made Features • Patriots & Patriotism) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Original Site of Russell, Majors and Waddell Home Office

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Missouri, Lafayette County, Lexington

Northwest across this intersection is the original site of the Home Office of Russell, Majors and Waddell, owners and operators of the Pony Express. Though operating headquarters was at Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Eastern Terminus at St. Joseph, Mo., the Home Office was in Lexington as well as the homes of William B. Waddell and William H. Russell.

1860 The Pony Express 1960
Russell, Majors, Waddell
Founders, Owners, Operators

120 Celebrated Riders
rode 650,000 miles with only
one rider killed by Indians,
one schedule not completed and
one mail lost.

(Industry & Commerce • Communications • Roads & Vehicles) Includes location, directions, 4 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

First Methodist Episcopal Church

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Michigan, Washtenaw County, Ypsilanti
When the First Methodist Episcopal Church opened in June 1892, the Ypsilantian called it "an ornament to the city." The church typifies Akron Plan churches, popular among late nineteenth century Protestants. The Akron architectural firm of Weary and Kramer designed the seating in arcs to give each person a full view of the minister. Washtenaw County Methodism dates from 1825 when itinerant minister Reverend Elias Pattee organized a class in the nearby settlement of Wooodruff's Grove. Pattee served the Huron circuit, which extended from Detroit west to present-day Jackson. This church building is the third to serve the congregation.

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

A Long March

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Ohio, Lucas County, Maumee
As peace negotiations continued without success, General Wayne's slow and strenuous march through Ohio moved massive amounts of supplies, horses and artillery to support his 2,000 soldiers.

Along the way, Wayne's army built supply depots and forts and engaged a significant skirmish with the Western Confederacy at Fort Recovery. He eventually reached Roche de Bout where he built Camp Deposit on the Maumee River.

Scouts & Kentucky Militia

Wayne's regularly trained troops were supplemented by a group of scouts led by William Wells. Wells had previously fought alongside the Western Confederacy, so his knowledge of native tactics uniquely qualified him to lead scouting missions and advise General Wayne. The troops were also supplemented by mounted members of the Kentucky Militia.

The British were keenly interested in Wayne's movements. To hinder his progress they built Fort Miamis in modern day Maumee. This fort would later play a role in both the Battle of Fallen Timbers and the War of 1812.

(Native Americans • Forts, Castles • Wars, US Indian) Includes location, directions, 6 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Rich Building and Theatre

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Idaho, Bear Lake County, Montpelier
Early Montpelier was well known for its pine trees placed down the center of Washington Street. As U.S. Highway 89 became more popular to the traveling public, the trees were finally cut down amid much discussion throughout the town.

Rich Building
This building was built for Joseph C. Rich, grandson of Charles C. Rich, the Mormon pioneer. The brick construction was done by the Tueller brothers - Jacob, Jacob Jr., John and Christian from Paris who learned their trade in Switzerland.
Joseph was the first manager of the Montpelier branch of the Studebaker Car Dealership with the main office being in Ogden, Utah. In 1914, he went independent and started the J.C. Rich Motor Company. He sold Pontiac, Chevrolet, and Cadillac automobiles. This was one of the oldest automobile agencies in the state of Idaho.

Rich Theatre
In 1923, Stanley Rich went into Partnership with his brother Joseph and started the Rich Theatre in this same building. He and his wife Kathryn operated the theatre for 56 years and then sold out to the Voller Theatre Circuit. The "Kozy Corner," an ice cream and soda establishment was located on the west side of the building. It was run by the Collipriest sisters. This business had a soda fountain, an ice cream parlor and glass shelves stocked with candy. People that attended the movies would often go there for treats before and or after the "show."

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

Model T's, Odd Fellows and the News

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Idaho, Bear Lake County, Montpelier
Early sheriff and mayor Fred Cruikshank owned the first Model T Ford Agency in 1909.

Bear Lake Motors
Early sheriff and mayor Fred Locke Cruikshank was the owner of the first Model T Ford Agency in 1909 and closed it down in 1917 due to the (un)availability of new vehicles for sale during World War I. N.T. Sneddon started Bear Lake Motor Company which bought the business from Cruikshank in 1918 becoming the official Ford dealership in 1921. In 1936, Sneddon moved the business to its present location shown in the pictures. Bear Lake Motors has run continuously as a Sneddon family business since 1918 with Bennett, T.R. and Murray Sneddon operating the business over the years. The showroom was built on the east side of the building in 1981 after purchasing the adjacent property from Josie Driver.

"Odd Fellows" Hall
The members of the Enterprise Lodge, I.O.O.F, began building this building in the spring of 1897. The ground floor was opened as the "H.B. Whitman" store. The building was far enough along so that Whitmans started moving their stock of goods into the building in November of 1899. The store sold everything from dry goods, to hardware, to trunks, to furnishings. They also sold fresh groceries and glassware.
The Odd Fellows Lodge opened the upstairs in the summer of 1899. The upper floor was used as a lodge room, banquet hall and offices for the I.O.O.F. The estimated cost of the new building in 1897 was $8,000. As the new building opened, the Montpelier Examiner in its March 31, 1897 edition stated that "this will be the largest and handsomest building in the city."

News Examiner
The building presently occupied by the News Examiner was build early in the 1900's by the Whitman family. It was used as a dry goods store until it was sold to the Robinsons in 1942 for use as a newspaper building. Among the features of the building include a doorway that led into the adjacent Odd Fellow building, a large open second story that now contains newspaper files and printing forms. and plaque outside the front door that quotes the Constitutional Amendment outlining freedom of the press.
Many of the older residents of our community remember when a linotype was operated near the front window of the building. Ruth Taylor, one of the owners of the newspaper, gathered crowds of onlookers as she typed copy there. The linotype is still stored in one of the back rooms of the building along with other old printing equipment.

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

Second Bank of Montpelier

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Idaho, Bear Lake County, Montpelier
Grove C. Gray built a brick building in 1907 to house the second bank of Montpelier. On June 25, 1910, two men attempted to rob this bank by dynamiting the vault. While attempting to dynamite the vault, they jostled a loaded pistol that was on top of the vault. The pistol fell to the floor and went off. This scared the would-be robbers away and into the hands of the night police officer.
Severe financial problems arose in the 1920's that forced the bank to close its doors on August 12, 1924. This occasioned the need for immediate alternative banking. After many months and several meetings the Eccles-Browning Bank, based in Ogden, Utah opened for business in that same brick building - August 1925. Eccles-Browning Bank later changed its name to First Security Bank of Montpelier. When First Security Bank vacated this building for its newly constructed office in February 1963, Tri-State Bank & Trust began banking operation in the building. Tri-State became Zions Bank in 1997.

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

Cleaners, Hospital, Plumbers and a Big Bear

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Idaho, Bear Lake County, Montpelier
Schmid Building
Carl (Charles) Schmid, a tailor from Freienstein, Switzerland opened a tailor shop in Montpelier in 1892. He named his business Chas Schmid, The Tailor. He made men's suits and coats and did repairs, alterations and dry cleaning. Charles died in 1909 leaving the business to his wife Eliza. Their young daughter Freda and son Charlie, ages 18 and 16 took over the shop and worked very hard to keep the business going. Later they moved to a small building on the corner of 10th Street and Washington and in the 1940's built the modern white cinder-block building next door. John Schmid joined the business in the 1920's as a partner to Charlie and they renamed the business Schmid Bros. John and Charlie brought in state-of-the-art dry cleaning equipment in 1956. Charlie died in 1966 and John continued running the business. The family business was in operation continuously for 88 years and closed its doors on Oct. 14, 1980, the day John died. The building was sold to John Crockett in the mid 1980's and was used as a NAPA Auto Parts Store for several years. John Crockett then sold the building to M.H. King and the building was torn down at that time preparing for a new King's facility.

Bear Lake Hospital (1937-1949)
The second hospital in Bear Lake was found above "The Fair Store" on Washington Street in downtown Montpelier, Idaho. The "Bear Lake Hospital" was a 12 bed facility that opened in February 1937 under the management of Dr. R.B. Lindsay and Dr Reed J. Rich. It operated concurrently with the first hospital for 8 years and closed December 31, 1949 when the new Bear Lake Memorial Hospital was opened in 1950. The Hospital is seen in the background during a county fair parade in the 1940's.

Pendrey Building
In the early 1900's W.S. Pendrey opened Pendrey Plumbing and Heating and Sheet Metal. The business telephone number was 95 and Pendrey lived in the apartment upstairs. Over the years, the building housed multiple businesses including satellite sales, ceramics and home improvement sales.

Old Ephraim—The Legend of the Grizzley
Back in the early 1900's, one of the last of the great grizzlies was killed after terrorizing local ranchers and shepherds who raised livestock in the Bear Lake and Cache valley forests. He was given the name "Old Ephraim" and he had an awkward gate from a deformed front left paw and leg reportedly from being caught in a trap at an early age. When he was killed by Frank Clark on August 22, 1923, Old Ephraim was called the largest grizzly ever taken in the lower 48 states. He measured 9 feet 11 inches tall and his skull is housed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Stare up into the face of this bruin and pretend you are in Frank Clark's shoes facing down the great "Old Ephraim" on your own!

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

A Strong Building, Stock Chevys and Railroad

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Idaho, Bear Lake County, Montpelier
Strong Building and Stock Chevrolet
This red brick building, note the brickwork circles, was built for Lish Strong by the Tueller brothers of Paris, Idaho. It became known as the Strong Building. Part of the upper level was also used for apartment. At one time, the post office was housed in the east wing of the Strong Building on the ground floor. Since that time, the east wing has been the home of restaurants, hair salons, a bar, and a leather craft store. A unique ramp on the back of the Strong Building was used to pull cars upstairs to be repaired.
The west end of this building was built by George Stock as a car dealership for Chevrolet and Oldsmobile. Originally, a UTOCO gas station occupied the corner of the block presently used as a car lot. In recent years, Tapper Motors has supplied the valley's General Motors needs.

Railroad
Beyond the downtown to the west, the railroad was an important part of the growth of Montpelier. In 1892, the railroad spurred the need of restaurants and hotels near the depot. The depot pictured was in use in 1929 and located on the south side of 11th Street and Washington. The town became the home terminal for the Union Pacific/Oregon Short Line trains, engine crews and was a subdivision until October 1972 when the terminal was moved to Pocatello. While many Bear Lake Valley residents still work of the railroad, the community does not rely on the railroad as it once did prior to 1972.

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

Eskridge Draw

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Wyoming, Sweetwater County, near Rock Springs

Named in honor of Edward Deen Eskridge 16, who was lost on Feb. 15, 1963 after a car accident that fatally injured his brother Richard, 15. His last tracks were found about 3 miles down this draw.

This tragedy inspired the founding of the Rock Springs Motorized Search and Rescue Unit on Feb. 23, 1963.

This monument dedicated to Edward and Richard Eskridge by the Rock Springs Motorized Search and Rescue Unit on Feb. 23, 1969.

(Natural Features • Charity & Public Work) Includes location, directions, 2 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Carl Martin

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Virginia, Wise County, Big Stone Gap
Carl Martin was born in Big Stone Gap in April 1906. He grew up in Southwest Virginia and moved to Knoxville, Tenn., in 1918. He performed regionally on the guitar, mandolin, bass, and violin at coal camps, dances, and in traveling shows. In 1930, Martin's string band recorded two instrumentals for Vocalion, released under the band name “Tennessee Chocolate Drops” for a black audience and the “Tennessee Trio” in the white old time music series. Martin moved to Chicago in the 1930s, recording blues and perform ing with such artists as Big Bill Broonzy and Tampa Red until serving in World War II. The 1960s folk revival brought Martin before new audiences. He died in Detroit on 10 May 1979.

(Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • African Americans) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Big Stone Gap

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Virginia, Wise County, Big Stone Gap

Big Stone Gap. Big Stone Gap takes its name from a large stone, visible in a gap. Wagoners who followed Daniel Boone’s trail said: “It’s a day's ride from the Big Stone Gap to Cumberland Gap.” Fiddlers, banjo players, and singers came in those wagons, and their descendants were joined by a diverse population during the boom and bust cycles of mineral extraction and logging. The Irish railroaders were very musical, and the Italians, eastern Europeans, and others added zest to the musical stew. There were “busking” musicians in Big Stone Gap and other coal towns. They performed outside workplaces and on the street, especially on paydays. Good tunes were kept and traded, and many of the high flying bands of the 1920s had Big Stone Gap as a favorite stop. The song mix was attuned to the coalfields: ditties carried by the railroaders, ancient ballads, tragic songs and religious songs of many kinds.

Among the legendary musicians from here were the children of “Fiddling” Martin, an African-American blacksmith with a large family. Among his children were Roland Martin, a blind multi-instrumentalist and singer who made 78 rpm recordings, and mandolinist Carl Martin, a bluesman noted for his impassioned singing, zany songs, and a sense of humor. Big Stone Gap was home to author John Fox, Jr who penned the novel The Trail of the Lonesome Pine. The book was later adapted into a stage play and became Virginia’s official outdoor drama which is staged here each summer. Visitors can take the Big Stone Gap walking tour for a glimpse of the town’s rich history and also enjoy its museums, parks and outdoor recreational facilities.

The Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Coalfields region, southwest Virginia is blessed with historic and contemporary music venues, musicians, and fretted instrument markers. Historically isolated, the region retained its strong musical legacy by passing traditions down through musical families to an appreciative community.

Old time mountain music, bluegrass, and gospel can be enjoyed all year long and several museums are devoted to showcasing the area’s rich musical heritage.

The Crooked Road winds through the ruggedly beautiful Appalachian Mountains and leads you to the major hotspots of old time mountain, music country music, and bluegrass. Alive and kickin’ for today’s fans, these venues preserve and celebrate musical traditions passed down through generations. Annual festivals, weekly concerts, radio shows, and jam sessions ring out to large audiences and intimate gatherings. Please visit the Crooked Road website to plan your trip to coincide with the current entertainment events.

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

Big Stone Gap

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Virginia, Wise County, Big Stone Gap
Big Stone Gap, originally known as Three Forks, received its carter February 28. 1888. A postoffice was established April 12, 1856. In the early nineties it became the center of iron and coal development. It was the home and workshop of John Fox, Jr., novelist, and author of “Trail of the Lonesome Pine.”

(Industry & Commerce • Political Subdivisions • Arts, Letters, Music) Includes location, directions, 3 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Homesite of John O. Meusebach, 1812-1897

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Texas, Mason County, near Mason
By 1848, German colonization reached area under direction of John O. Meusebach, who succeeded Prince Carol of Solms-Braunfels as colony leader and who signed treaty with Comanches allowing peaceful settlement of the land between the Llano and San Saba rivers. He later retired here to a 640-acre farm where he died.
     His colonists have influenced Texas through their ingenuity, thrift and enterprise. They came seeking political and personal freedom and remained to create a unique culture through their blending of German custom with American necessity.

(Settlements & Settlers) Includes location, directions, 5 photos, GPS coordinates, map.

Yorktown

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Virginia, York County, Yorktown
"This Yorktown, or Little-York, is a small city of approximately 300 houses: it has, moreover, considerable circumference. It is located on the bank od the York River, somewhat high on a sandy but level ground. It has 3 churches, 2 reformed English and 1 German Lutheran...and 2 Quaker meeting houses, and a beautiful court or meeting house..." Johann Conrad Doehla, Anspach-Bayreuth Battalion, British army, July 3, 1781

Travel a short distance along this walkway to discover historic Yorktown.

Established in 1691, by the 1750s the town was a thriving seaport supporting a prosperous waterfront business district with wharves, warehouses and pubs. Stately and moderate homes, outbuildings, stores, churches, taverns and government buildings filled the bluff overlooking the river.

The town was extensively damaged during the 1781 siege and never recovered its colonial prominence.

Explore Yorktown and discover among a still active community sights that reflect the town's past glory: earthworks encircling the town, the 1881 Monument to the Alliance and Victory, and 18th century buildings, including the home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

"I have this day visited the town of York, to witness the destructive effects of the siege. It contains about 60 houses...many of them are greatly damaged and some totally ruined, being shot through in a thousand places and honey-combed ready to crumble to pieces." Dr. James Thatcher, Surgeon, Continental Army, October 22, 1781

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

Bourbonnois Brigade Encampment

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Virginia, York County, Yorktown
French infantry troops at Yorktown were organized into three brigades. This brigade, some 1,800 soldiers and officers, was composed of the Bourbonnois and Deux Ponts regiments brought from New York by Rochambeau.

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

Saintonge Regiment

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Virginia, York County, Yorktown
During the siege the Marquis de Custine was encamped here with his troops. After Yorktown the Marquis served in the French Assembly and commanded armies in France. He was guillotined during the terrible days of the French revolution.

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