Jekyll Island, Georgia

Not Here, But There:  Another pointing arrow.  This one seems to say:  "Look over there."  Its roadside home is right next to the burial ground.  Raise your hand if you think you could communicate all that information in about half as many words.  [2010]

Finzel, Maryland

Not Here, But There:  Savage River Camp wasn't here; it was over there . . .  somewhere, I guess.  The geography remains unclear, and the arrow doesn't help.  Maybe the marker is in the wrong place.  But, maybe if it were in the right place, there would be no passers-by to read it.  What a quandary.  [2010]

Danville, Vermont

Centered or Justified?  Every line is centered, rather non-conventional for narrative text.  Do you like it?  Most markers offer block-form presentation.  Contents?  Excellent by my standards.  And now I understand why there's a Caledonia State Park in Pennsylvania.  [2009]

York, Pennsylvania

It's All About Hue:  The navy hue seems to match Pennsylvania's state flag.  The last line is a teaser.  What did Lafayette say about York?  Get rid of that meaningless first sentence in favor of a crumb more from the toast.  [2006]

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

It's All About the House:  The Rev. Dobbin's House was a home and a school.  Now, it is a museum and a tavern.  If the text were being written today, it would undoubtedly focus on a recent discovery:  the structure was a station on the underground railroad.  [2007]

Plymouth, Massachusetts

History as Chronology:  Sometimes a single date puts it all in perspective, but that assumes you bring some sense of signficance to the reading experience.  Rarely does chronology alone capture importance.  Remember: history is more than chronology. Don't let the time line take over.  [2008]

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Don't be square!  'Landscape' is more common than 'portrait' when it comes to historical markers.  Nevertheless, most markers are not perfect rectangles.  Various design elements usually give them a lift at top center.  "Attracting thousands of visitors each year."  Wouldn't that go without saying?  [1995]

Hudson, Michigan

Don't be square!  Stand up tall and stay in shape.  But, we don't seem to know what the best shape is for historical markers.  To-the-point it is, but why mention Adrian when you are trying to call attention to the importance of Hudson?  [2008]

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Too much, too little, just right?  14 words and a simple title.  Succinct but useful for anyone following the day-to-day progress of the Civil War.  Could you read this much while driving by?  or would you have to stop?  [2010]

Cuckoo, Virginia

Places, People, and Events:  Using historical markers, we commemorate confluences of people and events as the combined engines of history.  The American Revolution could have been lost were it not for the ride of Jack Jouett, Virginia's Paul Revere.  [2007]

St. Albans, Vermont

Places, People, and Events:  Using historical markers, we commemorate confluences of places and events as the combined engines of history.  St. Albans Raid may have brought the Civil War to Vermont, but look at the date.  The Civil War was only 6 months from being over.  [2009]

Nashville, Tennessee

Places, People, and Events:  Using historical markers, we commemorate events as the engines of history.  It should come as no surprise that this marker is in Nashville, the country music capital of the world.  The Ryman Auditorium provides the backdrop.  [2009]

Emmitsburg, Maryland

Places, People, and Events:  Using historical markers, we commemorate people as the engines of history.  But only recently have women, like the United States' first native-born saint, begun to claim their share of roadside landscapes.  [2005]