Another Michigan website caught my eye this week. The Michigan
Historical Markers website contains a database of the designated historic sites
in Michigan that have been commemorated though the placement of historical markers.
These markers have been erected as part of a program begun in 1955 under the
direction of the Bureau of History of the Michigan Department of State. However,
one man alone has been cataloguing these markers and placing photographs of
them into an online website. Jim Brennan of Emmett, Michigan is the man behind
the Michigan Historical Markers website.
The markers on this site are organized by both topical area and
by county. Many markers are listed in several areas. You can find markers by
navigating through various menus for different geographic areas or by topics.
However, you can also find markers of interest by entering a word or phrase
in the search box and clicking the search button. For example, I entered "depot"
and found more than 20 markers containing that word in the text.
This site is much more than a simple list; it also has photographs
of the markers and surroundings. The photographs were taken in 1988 or later.
Accompanying maps also show the general location of the markers. Internet Explorer
users will see an arrow indicating the specific location.
This site should be one you visit before you drive anywhere in
the state; you're bound to find at least a few of the 1,450 markers Jim Brennan
has documented somewhere along your route.
The Michigan Historical Markers website is available at: www.michmarkers.com
Dick Eastman Online
