Ohio Historical Marker Program-- Part 1

From the Jan. 3, 2008, Wilmington (Oh) News Herald "Ohio Historical Society observes 50th anniversary at marker program."

Markers made of cast aluminum are located in all 88 Ohio counties and pay tribute to a diverse array of happenings from "natural wonders, Native Americans and settlers, government and politics, entertainers and artists, athletes, inventors, struggles for freedom and equality, business and industry" plus many others.

In 1953, the Ohio Sesquicentennial Commission began erecting Corporate Limit markers and City Lines. On these, in 13 words or less, they told something historically significant about the town. By 1957, many felt 13 or less words was not enough. The Ohio Historical Markers Program was established to be coordinated by the Ohio Historical Society. Their new markers would have from 90 to 300 words.

The first marker was in Akron and about the significance of Portage Path, the famous portage place between the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas rivers. As of 2007, there were 1,200 markers across Ohio.

More to Come. --RoadDog