Replica of the Bluff Meeting House, Bluff, Utah

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Replica of the Bluff Meeting House Bluff Utah

The Bluff meetinghouse was part of the Bluff Fort. Initially, residents would meet under an old cottonwood tree near the San Juan River. When a swing was attached to the tree, it become known as the “Swing Tree”. Later, the people realized that they needed a better place to meet so the meetinghouse was built at the end of 1880.

At first, it was a double-length cabin. It later was expanded with a new section to make it larger. Besides a meetinghouse, it was also used as a schoolhouse, community center and courthouse.

The Bluff Fort was built along a wagon road established by Mormon pioneers. It was part of the “Hole-in-the-Rock Expedition” which began in 1879. The goal of the expedition had been to create a mission at Montezuma along the San Juan River. The pioneers decided to use a route known as the “Escalante shortcut” believing that the journey would take six weeks. In reality, it took 6 months and 260 miles on the Hole-in-the-Rock Trail.

Since the trail was not designed for wagons, it had to be chiseled and blasted open in the Hole-in-the-Rock sandstone cliffs. After traveling for months, the pioneers decided to not pursue the last 20 miles to the intended location. Instead, they settled in the area that would become Bluff City in 1880.

Replica of the Bluff Meeting House Bluff Utah

Historical Marker Inscription

Sketched by Remington Lange 1893

Bluff’s log meetinghouse was the center of all public gatherings for the small community on the remote San Juan frontier. The meetinghouse, which was part of the north wall of the Bluff Fort, served as chapel, courthouse, ballroom, concert hall and schoolhouse. It was a place where pioneers were entertained with dances, dramatizations and musical performances. It was also a place of worship and learning, and on occasion, it sheltered families whose mud roofs failed to keep the rain out or whose cabins were flooded by the river. The meetinghouse was built in the latter part of 1880. “It offered a handy place for friends to meet, and for strolling lovers to rest in the evening. …not just a church, but simply a meetinghouse, vested with all essentials for solemn worship, but not too good nor too nice for any lawful service to the busy pioneers.” On Christmas, “…children thronged the old log school house during the day, and the place became the scene of many a merry party in long winter evenings.” —Albert R. Lyman

This site is being developed and maintained by the Hole-in-the-Rock Foundation

Location

37° 17’ 3.582” N, 109° 33’ 10.968” W

550 Black Locust Ave, Bluff, UT  84511, United States

Enough Water to Go Around? Guernsey, Wyoming

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Enough Water to Go Around Hartsville Wyoming Historical Marker

The Platte River starts in the Colorado Rockies at Grizzly Creek, Colorado. It has two forks: the North Platte and the South Platte. The South Platte River flows through Colorado and its major city Denver. The other tributary flows through Wyoming. The two forks connect in Nebraska. The river is 310 miles long.

During the 1800s, it served as one of the main routes that pioneers used to travel to the west. It also acts as part of the continental bird migration route.  It is estimated that as many as 500,000 sandhill cranes and a percentage of whooping cranes migrate through the central Platte area.

Over the years, the North and South Platte river waters have been diverted for use in reservoirs, dams and more. This means that the amount of water that actually flows in the river has fallen. This has increased plant life along the rivers and decreased bird habitat.

Historical Marker Inscription

The Platte River has two forks, both originate in the high Colorado Rockies. This is the north fork of the Platte. The north fork and south fork join in western Nebraska and eventually flow into the Missouri River. As human populations have grown throughout the world, so has their need for water. Platte River water irrigates croplands in Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska — part of our nation’s breadbasket. It provides drinking water for over four million people and as many domestic animals. Competition for this water is fierce. Fish and wildlife also rely on this water to survive. Upstream and downstream wildlife use the water from the river for drinking and as a home. It is particularly important as a resting place for millions of ducks and geese as well as the nation’s largest single gathering of sandhill cranes. Vegetation growing along the river’s banks is lush because of the deep soils and available water. This vegetation, when protected and conserved, grows deep roots which hold river bank soils together, keeps the river from eroding the banks and filters soil out of the water before entering the river. River bank vegetation helps keep the river water clean for humans, fish, and wildlife.

All humans along the Platte are responsible for the river’s water. We control the destiny of humans and wildlife on the Platte. Part of our responsibility to Wyoming’s resources is its wild places and wild things.

Location

1950 US-26, Hartsville, Wyoming 82215 United States

42° 15′ 40.352″, 104° 41′ 49.548″ W

Marsalis Mansion Motel Historical Marker, Louisiana

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Marsalis Mansion Hotel Historical Marker, Jefferson, Louisiana

The Marsalis Mansion Motel opened in 1943 in a converted chicken barn. The motel was owned by Ellis Marsalis, Sr., the patriarch of the New Orleans jazz musical family. It offered luxury accommodations to African Americans during segregation. Located on River Road in Jefferson Parish, the motel hosted many famous guests, including Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Ray Charles and Thurgood Marshall.

During the 1950s, the nightclub, the Music Haven, was located on the motel’s grounds. The motel closed in 1986 and was condemned in 1993 and razed. The historical marker was dedicated in 2015.

Historical Marker Inscription

Opened at 110 Shrewsbury Road in 1944 to serve African Americans during segregation. Proprietor Ellis L. Marsalis, Sr., was Jazz musician family patriarch & Civil Rights pioneer. Closed in 1986.

Location

3511 River Road, Jefferson, Louisiana 70121, United States

29° 57′ 28.350″ N, 90° 9′ 42.660″ W

Whitehall Plantation Home, Louisiana

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Whitehall Plantation, Louisiana Historical Marker

Whitehall Plantation was built in 1857 for Francois Pascalis de la Barre and his family. Covering 8,000 acres, it extended from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain. It was a sugar plantation until 1891. During the American Civil War, it operated as the headquarters for Union troops.

Starting in 1919, it served as a gambling casino. Later in 1935, it was turned into the Magnolia School for those with special needs and intellectual and developmental challenges. The school still operates today.

Historical Marker Inscription

Built in 1857 for François Pascalis de Labarre IV. Occupied by Union Troops during the Civil War. After 1892 was a gambling casino, Jesuit retreat house and St. Agnes Church. Magnolia School since 1935.

Location

100 Central Avenue, Jefferson, Louisiana 70121, United States

29° 57′ 9.018″ N, 90° 10′ 7.158″ W

Occoquan River Bridges, Occoquan, Virginia

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Occoquan River Bridges Historical Marker, Virginia

The Town of Occoquan, whose name means “Head of the Waters” in Native American, is a historic district filled with small shops. The town was founded by Nathaniel Ellicott who built the first bridge here in around 1800.

The historical marker marks the bridge located downstream from Occoquan Dam, and it connects Old Ox Road with the small town. The original bridge was destroyed in 1972, and now there is a footbridge here.

Historical Marker Inscription

Occoquan founder Nathaniel Ellicott built the first bridge here c. 1800. The “Great Mail Route” from Washington to the south crossed here. In 1878 an iron Pratt Truss Bridge was erected. This bridge was on the main east coast north-south highway until 1928. Hurricane Agnes destroyed the bridge in 1972. Today’s foot bridge replaced it.

Location

River Mill Park, 458 Mill Street, Occoquan, Virginia, 22125 United States

38° 41′ 8.460″ N, 77° 15′ 45.180″ W

Jack M. Campbell Historical Marker, Taos, NM

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Jack M Campbell Historical Marker

Governor Jack M. Campbell was a Democratic governor of New Mexico from 1963 to 1966. He was elected as governor on November 6, 1962, and again in 1964. He was also part of the New Mexico House of Representatives from 1955 to 1962, serving the last two years as speaker.

This stretch of U.S. 64 was named in honor of him by the members of the New Mexico State Highway Commission on September 23, 1965.

Historical Marker Inscription

Taos to Tierra Amarilla

This road passes through some of the most spectacular scenery in the American Southwest. It is a key section of the east – west highway which brings visitors to this region from throughout the United States. Since this route became a reality through the leadership and perseverance of Governor Jack M. Campbell (1963-1966), the members of the New Mexico State Highway Commission voted unanimously on September 23, 1965 to name this portion of U.S. 64 in his honor.

Location

El Prado, New Mexico 87571, United States

36° 30′ 38.400″ N, 105° 39′ 24.642 W

Middleton Place/Arthur Middleton Historical Marker, Summerville, South Carolina

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Middleton Place Historical Marker, Summerville, SC

Home to America’s oldest landscaped garden, Middleton Place National Historic Landmark is an historic site that was home to many important people related to the Continental Congress and the Declaration of Independence. Begun in 1741,  the site is 110 acres, and it includes the gardens, house museum, stable yards and more.

One of the residents was Arthur Middleton, who was the son of Henry Middleton, who laid out the gardens. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He helped draft the South Carolina state constitution, and he was also a delegate to the Continental Congress (1776-1777).

During the siege of Charleston during the Revolutionary War, he was taken prisoner by the British in 1780. In July 1781, he was exchanged as a prisoner and became a member of the Continental Congress from 1781 to 1783. He was also part of the South Carolina legislature from 1785 to 1786.

Historical Marker Inscription

Middleton Place

These famous gardens were laid out about 1741 by Henry Middleton (1717-84), President of Continental Congress. His son Arthur, Signer of the Declaration of Independence, lived here as did his son Henry (1770-1846), Governor of S.C. and Minister to Russia, who introduced the camellias. His son Williams (1809-83) planted the first azaleas. The original residence was looted and burned by Federal forces in 1865.

Arthur Middleton Historical Marker, Summerville, SC

(Reverse Side)

Arthur Middleton

Planter, Patriot, Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Born here June 26, 1742, Arthur Middleton, after receiving his education in England, returned to make his home here in 1763. He served in the Commons House of Assembly, the Provincial Congress, the Council of Safety, the Continental Congress, the militia, and the state legislature. He died Jan. 1, 1787, and is buried in the garden here.

 

Location

Middleton Place Road, Charleston, SC, 29414 United States

32° 54′ 0402″ N, 80° 8′ 24.770″ W

Robinson-Maloney Dantzler House, Biloxi, MS

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Robinson-Maloney Dantzler House Historical Marker, Biloxi, MS

Built in 1849 by John Ghamm (J.G.) Robinson, the house was a two-story residence with a  two-tiered gallery. It was a Greek Revival mansion with extensive woodwork and windows, and formal gardens.

J.G. Robinson was an English planter. He was the owner of the house until 1873 when it was sold to Frederick Gaupp. It was bought by the Maloney family in 1884, which owned the house until 1912. It was sold a couple of more times, ending up with the Dantzler family in 1918.

It was later purchased by the Catholic Diocese in 1921, which used the house as the Notre Dame High School for boys and then the Sisters of the Little Flower Convent of Mercy.

The house was damaged during Hurricane Camille in 1969 and destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Historical Marker Inscription

Originally a raised-cottage Greek Revival mansion similar to Beauvoir, the house located here was built ca. 1849 by J. G. Robinson, a wealthy English cotton planter. It was the center of an estate that included a ten-pin bowling alley, billiard hall, bath house, thoroughbred stables, kennels, gardens and a wharf for docking two prized yachts. About 1908 the Maloney family enlarged the house with a second story addition and two-tiered wrap-around porches in the Neo-Classical style. Destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Location

1048 Beach Boulevard, Biloxi, MS 39530 United States

30° 23′ 41.088″ N, 88° 54′ 3.798″ W

Howard’s Lick/Jackson Home Historical Marker, Mathias, WV

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Jackson Home / Howard's Lick Historical Marker, Mathias, WV

This site features two historical markers: Howard’s Lick and Jackson Home.

Currently known as Lee White Sulphur Springs, the first sign refers to what was originally called Howard’s Lick, which is a spring that has become a health resort. The Commonwealth of Virginia gave a portion of the area around the spring to General Henry Lee in 1796, who was a Revolutionary War hero.

When Lee died in 1818, four sons inherited his property, including the property located in Hardy County. Charles Carter Lee eventually took possession of all this land. Charles was the older brother of General Robert E. Lee of American Civil War fame.

The area was also the location of the Jackson home, where John Jackson and his wife lived starting in 1750. These were the great grandparents of another Confederate war general, General Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson.

Historical Marker Inscription

Side 1

Howard’s Lick

Howard’s Lick, also known as Lee White Sulphur Springs, was once owned by General Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee of Revolutionary War fame. It was owned later by Charles Carter Lee, brother of the beloved General Robert E. Lee.

Side 2

Jackson Home

Here John Jackson and wife, great grandparents of General “Stonewall” Jackson, settled about 1750 and here was born Edward Jackson, grandfather of the great military genius before the family moved to Buckhannon River.

Location

13208 WV-259, Mathias, West Virginia 26812, United States

38° 52′ 48.132″ N, 78° 51′ 54.930″ W

Combahee River Raid

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Combahee River Raid Historical Marker, Beaufort, South Carolina

Harriet Tubman, famous for her assistance with the Underground Railroad to help slaves from the South travel to the North to freedom, worked with 150 black Union soldiers (members of the 2nd South Carolina Volunteers) to free more than 750 enslaved peopled on June 2, 1863. It became known as the Combahee River Raid. Under the command of Union Colonel James Montgomery, Tubman became the first woman to lead a “major military operation in the United States”.

Slaves along the Combahee River worked with Tubman to ensure that the Union vessels remained safe throughout the voyage. They provided information about the location of rebel torpedoes in the river in exchange for freedom. While the mission did help free many slaves, the main goal was to destroy estates owned by South Carolina secessionists, which they also achieved.

Tubman, often referred to as “the Moses of her people”, was a slave who had fled the South in 1849.

Historical Marker Inscription

Combahee River Raid
On June 1-2, 1863, a Federal Force consisting of elements of the 2nd S.C. Volunteer Infantry (an African- American unit) and the 3rd Rhode Island Artillery conducted a raid up the Confederate-held Combahee River. Col. James Montgomery led the expedition. Harriet Tubman, already famous for her work with the Underground Railroad, accompanied Montgomery on the raid.

(Other Side)

Freedom Along The Combahee
Union gunboats landed 300 soldiers along the river, and one force came ashore here at Combahee Ferry. Soldiers took livestock and supplies and destroyed houses, barns, and rice at nearby plantations. More than 700 enslaved men, women, and children were taken to freedom in perhaps the largest emancipation event in wartime S.C. Some freedmen soon enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Location

999, Charleston Highway, Beaufort County, South Carolina, 29945 United States

32° 39′ 6.94″ N, 80° 41′ 5.85″ W