[MSN] Hundreds of historical markers missing

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Hundreds of historical markers missing
By TERESA McMINN 
For The Evening Sun
Article Launched: 11/08/2007 10:15:51 AM EST


One of the books Lila Fourhman-Shaull keeps handy lists information about historical markers so she can help people who call her and want to know more. 

The markers in the past motivated some people to visit the York County Heritage Trust and learn more about significant historical sites, she said. 

"I know different people have come in ... (and) mentioned reading the markers," said Fourhman-Shaull, the librarian and archivist for the York County Heritage Trust. 

"They provide a nice little snapshot," she said. "It's a wonderful way to learn." 

But many of those little snapshots are gone. 

Of about 2,200 sites across the state that have received the historic markers, about 200 of the signs are missing. 

At least 15 of those were in York County and Adams, said Karen Galle, Historical Marker Program Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. 

"It's hard to know exactly how many are missing," she said. 

New signs are routinely added while others disappear, Galle said. 

"We accept nominations on an annual basis that are voted on every year," she said. 

Most of the markers consist of a blue and yellow sign that is mounted with hardware atop a pole. 

For ease in maintenance, the pieces are not welded together, she said. 

"So we've continued to go with the set screws method," Galle said. 

It's easy to speculate about why people take the signs, Galle said. 

But whether the markers end up as decor in someone's recreation room, are scrapped for the value of the metal or are simply vandalized, once the signs are gone, they are usually gone for good, she said. 

If a marker is knocked down in a vehicular crash, the driver's insurance usually pays to replace the repair or replacement of the sign, Galle said. 

Otherwise, a nonprofit organization must pay to replace the marker, then the commission can usually reimburse half of that money, she said. 

"Often they go missing and there's no perpetrator identified," Galle said. "We are unable to completely fund the replacement of missing markers." 

The markers are owned by the state - which is appropriated about $30,000 to spend on the signs every year, Galle said. 

"It is state property, and theft of state property is a punishable offense," she said. 

The commission welcomes any information about a missing marker, Galle said. 

"Of course, we're not going to prosecute someone who ... volunteers the information." 

HAVE YOU SEEN THEM? 

ADAMS COUNTY'S MISSING MARKERS 

Gettysburg Campaign - Dedicated: Dec. 12, 1947 

Location: Route 30, two miles east of Gettysburg 

Gettysburg Campaign - Dedicated: Dec. 12, 1947 

Location: Fairfield Road (Route 116) and Willoughby Run Road, west of Gettysburg 

Gettysburg Campaign - Dedicated: Dec. 12, 1947 

Location: Route 394 just west of Route 94, Hampton 

John Hanson Steelman - Dedicated: Dec. 12, 1977 

Location: Near Route 16 and Route 116 junction, between Zora and the state line 

Pennsylvania - Dedicated: Dec. 6, 1946 

Location: Route 97 at Mathias Road, four miles from the state line 

Russell Tavern - Dedicated: Dec. 12, 1947 

Location: Route 34 at Goldenville Road, four miles north of Gettysburg 

YORK COUNTY'S MISSING MARKERS 

Camp Security - Dedicated: July 17, 1947 

Location: state Route 462 (old Route 30), 3 miles east of York at Stonybrook 

Colonel Thomas Hartley - Dedicated: Dec. 14, 1949 

Location: West Market Street, between Beaver and George streets, York (destroyed in car crash in April 2004) 

Penn Common - Dedicated: Dec. 6, 1949 

Location: College Avenue at Penn Park, York 

Gettysburg Campaign - Dedicated: Nov. 12, 1947 

Location: Weiglestown near state Route 74 

Gettysburg Campaign - Dedicated: Nov. 12, 1947 

Location: state Route 462 (old Route 30) at Susquehanna River Bridge, Wrightsville 

Susquehanna Canal -Dedicated: April 5, 1948 

Location: state Route 624, .1 mile south of Wrightsville 

York - Dedicated: July 17, 1947 

Location: 1415 E Market St. (state Route 462), just W of I-83, York 

York - Dedicated: July 17, 1947 

Location: state Route 462 (West Market Street), west of York 

York - County Academy Dedicated: Nov. 16, 1949 

Location: North Beaver Street at building



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