State Historical Markers

New Jersey

3000 visitors came to Mento Park in 1879 to witness Thomas Edison's demonstration of the electric light. Today, we would be happy with one visitor who could change a light bulb.

New Mexico

The Santa Fe Trail was established in 1821, opening a new route to New Mexico. Nowadays, we would be satisfied with a new route to the grocery store.

New York

In 1626, Peter Minuit purchased Manhattan Island for roughly $24 in trinkets. That was a much better deal than we got on this property.

North Carolina

On January 7, 1838, Silver Hill Mine opened near Lexington, becoming the first silver mine in the United States. None of the proceeds were used to purchase this property.

Ohio

In 1869, the first public weather forecasting service began in Cincinnati. When we watch the weather on TV here, the forecasting is no better than it was then.

Oklahoma

On April 22, 1889, nearly 50,000 settlers poured into Oklahoma as the territory was opened to homesteaders. If this house had been built "sooner" one might have settled here.

Pennsylvania

November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln, in his Gettysburg Address, spoke of the struggle of a nation torn apart by civil war, like the struggle here when it's time to clean the bathroom.

Rhode Island

In 1854, this state contributed greatly to agriculture by the development of a new breed of chicken called the "Rhode Island Red." And if you are not "chicken" stay for dinner.

South Carolina

On April 12, 1861, Confederate Army batteries shelled Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, beginning the Civil War. And this building was not here yet.

Tennessee

In the Mexican War of 1845, citizens volunteered in such numbers that Tennessee is known as the volunteer state. Here, we can't get a volunteer to take out the garbage.

Texas v.1

On April 21, 1836, Texas troops under Sam Houston won independence, as they shouted out "Remember the Alamo" when we tried that here, the neighbors complained about the noise.

Texas v.2

On March 2, 1836, Texas declared her independence from Mexico. Wild Comanche's roamed the plains, Rangers protected frontier settlements, and this building was not here yet.

Utah

On May 10, 1869, East met West as the last spike was driven, completing the Union Pacific Railroad. Many years later, the last nail was driven, completing this building.

Vermont

On March 4, 1791, after the American Revolution, Vermont became our 14th state. Pioneers on small farms began producing maple syrup and dairy products. and this building was not here yet.

Virginia

Virginia, 1st of the 13 original colonies, contributed such dedicated statesmen as Patrick Henry, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson to the course of freedom. None of which slept here.

West Virginia

In 1859, the famous abolitionist, John Brown and his followers raided the arsenal at Harper's Ferry. Here, we like to raid the refrigerator.