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For Immediate Release
Remarkable Ohio: Ohio Historical Society Observes 50th Anniversary of Marker Program
COLUMBUS, Ohio December 17, 2007 –Many Ohioans get their history not only from books or their teachers, but the signs that dot the state’s highways and streets. At the end of 2007, the Ohio Historical Society is commemorating 50 years of recognizing Ohio’s rich history with the Ohio Historical Marker Program.
The markers, made of cast aluminum and erected along roadsides in all 88 counties, pay tribute to Ohio’s natural wonders, Native Americans and settlers, government and politics, entertainers and artists, athletes, inventors, struggles for freedom and equality, business and industry plus other diverse topics.
"Ohio has many things to appreciate, even to brag about," said William K. Laidlaw, Jr., executive director and CEO of the Ohio Historical Society. “Historic markers have transformed our landscape into a history lesson of interesting places, people and events. These signs are a passport to the state’s historic places like Serpent Mound in Adams County, the birthplace of Thomas Edison in Erie County and to the Battle of Fallen Timbers in Lucas County. They are a vital educational tool, informing residents and visitors about significant aspects of Ohio's past.”
About the Ohio Historical Markers Program
In 1953, the Ohio Sesquicentennial Commission began erecting Corporate Limit Markers, the blue, Ohio-shaped markers erected at a town’s or city’s corporate limits noting in 13 words or less something historically significant about the place. By 1957, however, many people felt these brief descriptions were not enough to describe all the historically significant events, people or sites within a community. The original Markers Committee, developed by the now decommissioned Sesquicentennial Commission, established the Ohio Historical Markers Program to be coordinated by the Ohio Historical Society. The new markers could have 90 to 300 words on them to denote significant events, people, and sites in or near communities.
The first Ohio marker, erected in Akron in 1957, tells of the significance of Portage Path, the famous portage or carrying-place between the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas rivers, to the settlement of Ohio. At the close of 2007, there are more than 1,200 markers statewide that provide a tangible record of Ohio’s history.
"Although the Ohio Historical Society sets standards to ensure that the subjects of Ohio historical markers are historically significant and that the information included on the markers is accurate, the program is a true grassroots effort where local people decide what’s historically important about their communities and work together to make the marker a reality," Laidlaw said.
The program, administered by the OHS Local History Office, allows individuals, public agencies or private organizations to nominate historic properties, persons and events of significance on a local, state or national level for consideration. Nominations should address at least one important aspect of Ohio's historical, natural or physical development in one of the following areas: history, architecture, culture, archaeology, ethnic associations, natural history or folklore. The text for the marker is researched and written by the nominator. Once approved by the Ohio Historical Society, the sign is then manufactured by Sewah Studios in Marietta.
A grants program was established in 2006 to help organizations and communities defray the cost of historical markers. Up to 20 marker applications each year are selected to receive $750 to defray the total cost of a historical marker, which ranges from $1,900 - $2,150.
"History is important,” Laidlaw said. “Knowing the past helps us know ourselves and our place in today’s world."
The Ohio Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that serves as the state’s partner in preserving and interpreting Ohio’s history, archaeology and natural history. For more information about Ohio Historical Marker Program, call 614.297.2300/800.686.6124 or visit www.remarkableohio.org.
For a photo of marker at Flint Ridge, click here. (195KB image will load in a new browser window).
For photos of markers in your county, please check www.remarkableohio.org.
Media contact: Kim Schuette: 614.297.2314 or kschuette@ohiohistory.org
Markers by County
| County - Markers |
County - Markers |
County - Markers |
County - Markers |
| Adams - 19 |
Allen - 6 |
Ashland - 6 |
Ashtabula - 11 |
| Athens - 7 |
Auglaize - 4 |
Belmont - 14 |
Brown - 8 |
| Butler - 27 |
Carroll - 3 |
Champaign - 26 |
Clark - 5 |
| Clermont - 10 |
Clinton - 6 |
Columbiana - 18 |
Coshocton - 6 |
| Crawford - 8 |
Cuyahoga - 84 |
Darke - 7 |
Defiance - 1 |
| Delaware - 14 |
Erie - 26 |
Fairfield - 7 |
Fayette - 6 |
| Franklin - 102 |
Fulton - 2 |
Gallia - 16 |
Geauga - 7 |
| Greene - 22 |
Guernsey - 4 |
Hamilton - 68 |
Hancock - 22 |
| Hardin - 16 |
Harrison - 4 |
Henry - 2 |
Highland - 6 |
| Hocking - 5 |
Holmes - 3 |
Huron - 5 |
Jackson - 6 |
| Jefferson - 8 |
Knox - 9 |
Lake - 25 |
Lawrence - 7 |
| Licking - 22 |
Logan - 10 |
Lorain - 23 |
Lucas - 51 |
| Madison - 2 |
Mahoning - 25 |
Marion - 13 |
Medina - 5 |
| Meigs - 19 |
Mercer - 4 |
Miami - 27 |
Monroe - 6 |
| Montgomery - 12 |
Morgan - 17 |
Morrow - 5 |
Muskingum - 15 |
| Noble - 2 |
Ottawa - 14 |
Paulding - 3 |
Perry - 8 |
| Pickaway - 11 |
Pike - 6 |
Portage - 10 |
Preble - 5 |
| Putnam - 4 |
Richland - 7 |
Ross - 17 |
Sandusky - 10 |
| Scioto - 8 |
Seneca - 7 |
Shelby - 3 |
Stark - 20 |
| Summit - 37 |
Trumbull - 22 |
Tuscarawas - 19 |
Union - 4 |
| Van Wert - 5 |
Vinton - 2 |
Warren - 9 |
Washington - 19 |
| Wayne - 4 |
Williams - 5 |
Wood - 18 |
Wyandot - 5 |
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