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Historical Highway Markers

Read & Locate State Historical Markers
 

Virginia Historical Highway Markers

With their texts of black lettering against a silver background and their distinctive shape, state historical highway markers are hard to miss on Virginia’s roadways. There are now more than 2,200 of them scattered throughout the state to commemorate people, places, or events of regional, statewide or national significance. Travelers and tourists, parents and children, teachers and students, and professional and amateur historians all take advantage of these roadside glimpses into our rich and diverse past.

Virginia's historical marker program is one of the oldest such programs in the nation. It began in 1927 when the first highway markers were erected along U.S. 1 between Richmond and Mount Vernon. The program has remained extremely popular ever since. By 1934, for instance, roughly 1,200 markers had been installed along state roadways and, significantly during this time, pull-off areas were created so motorists could actually stop to read the texts at their leisure. Virginia's marker program has served as a model for many other states. Moreover, for 80 years now, the Commonwealth of Virginia has continually erected new markers, except for a brief period of cessation during World War II. 

Originally the agency that created markers was the Conservation and Economic Development Commission. In 1949, the Virginia Department of Highways was assigned the responsibility for installing and maintaining new markers, and in 1950 the Virginia State Library was tasked with researching and approving new makers. In 1966, management of the marker program was transferred to the newly created Virginia Landmarks Commission, the predecessor agency for the current Department of Historic Resources. Meanwhile, today the Virginia Department of Transportation retains primary responsibility for installing new markers and maintaining existing ones. In this capacity, VDOT is a vital partner with this agency in managing the marker program.

The various links to the right provide detailed information about aspects of the marker program, including information about the process for sponsoring a new marker. There is also a new, sophisticated search engine for identifying markers throughout the state by key words, thematic categories, or roads, as well as by county, city, or town. The search also shows each marker's location on a Google map and allows the viewer to see a photograph of each marker.

In celebration of the 80th anniversary of the marker program, the newly updated edition of A Guidebook to Virginia’s Historical Markers, compiled by Scott Arnold, was released in January 2007. The book, published by the University of Virginia Press in association with DHR, retails for $19.95 and is available at most bookstores or can be ordered directly from the University of Virginia Press (800-831-3406) or this department. The guidebook is an ideal resource, especially when traveling the state's highways. It's wonderful to browse for armchair travelers as well. 

If you wish to sponsor a new highway marker, please read Important Information for Marker Sponsors. Also, see the Application Process, where a PDF version of the application for a new marker is available.

If you wish to report a missing or damaged marker, please contact either Randall Jones or Francine Archer. When doing so, if at all possible, it is helpful to provide the name of the marker, the location, and when you first noticed the marker was missing or damaged. (Please Note: The VDOT often removes signs for repair or maintenance.)

For a list of upcoming marker dedication ceremonies, see DHR's Calendar of Events.  

If you have questions or need additional information, contact Randall Jones (804-367-2323, ext. 117) or Francine Archer (804-367-2323, ext. 120).