A historical marker is a plaque or sign erected at historically significant locations, facilities, or buildings. These markers are usually near roads or in parks. Many different administrative systems exist for the purpose of creating and maintaining historical markers. In addition to the National Register of Historic Places (which may or may not have markers at each property), many states have their own distinctive set of historical markers. Cities and/or counties may also choose to have their own system of recognizing and acknowledging historical places. In addition to these geographically defined regions, individual organizations, such as E Clampus Vitus or the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, can choose to maintain a national set of historic markers that fit a certain theme. ^[1] This web site primarily lists the free standing style of historic marker, but it does include some mounted markers. It also includes many of the Blue Star marker. The intent of this site is to provide an overview of Florida's history as recorded on the many historic markers throughout the state. Currently the site lists 4,208 markers.

Styles/Types

This is what we typically think of when we hear the term "historic marker." The Florida Historic markers are made of metal (usually brass or aluminum) that have raised lettering (rather than an inscription painted on a sign), and are mounted on a freestanding post. Most books and web sites dedicated to Florida's Historic Markers typically only includes free standing historic markers.^[2]

The changing styles of the cast aluminum markers reflect the program's long history. From the 1930s until the 1950s, the markers were crowned with an encircled palmetto tree, were painted silver, and carried black lettering. From 1955 until 1990, they were crowned with a triangular crest, containing a bas relief of the state flag, were painted dark blue, and carried silver lettering. Today the flag of the fifties still crowns new markers, but they are painted silver and carry black letters like the markers of the thirties, and they are coded with an alphanumeric designation by county.^[3]

Historic markers that are attached to a rock, a building, a concrete base or some other type of structure are often referred to as plaques. Mounted Florida Historic markers are made of metal (usually brass or aluminum) that have raised lettering (rather than an inscription painted on a sign, and are fixed to a structure.

These are stone marker have had text engraved on them.

These are painted or screen-printed rather than cast in metal on a weather resistant backing. Many times these markers include maps and or drawings. This is the style typically seen at National Parks.

This is a sub-set of Historic Markers. These markers may be placed at the entrance to a park and typically lists the individual(s) that were significant in the creation of a park, monument, restoration of a building or other event. Also included in this sub-set would be the Blue Star Markers ^[4] (normally free-standing) and plaques designating a location as being in the National Register of Historic Places (normally mounted).

Free Standing
	East Florida Seminary
	Jefferson Davis Baggage
	Fort Crévecoeur
	Centro Español de Tampa
	Salt Kettle
Mounted
	The Old Exchange - mounted on a building.
	The Florida Keys Memorial Marker - mounted on a Memorial.
	Bellamy Road
	Works Progress Administration (WPA) - mounted on a rock. New Hope Battlefield
	Works Progress Administration (WPA) - mounted on a rock. New Hope Battlefield
Commemorative Markers
	Mounted on the Railroad Station in Stone Mountain Georgia. Commemorates the restoration of the remodeling and conversion from a railway station to City Hall.
	Mounted on a building. Columbus Historic Riverfront District
Interpretative Marker / Sign
	Safety Harbor Historical Site: Safety Harbor Log Cabin
	DeSoto Trail 1539-1540--Rumors to Riches

References

1. ^ Wikipedia - Historical marker    [Online] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_marker
2. ^  Florida Historic Marker Program   [Online] https://dos.myflorida.com/historical/preservation/historical-markers/
3. ^ Judith M. Andrews ed,    Florida Highway Historical Marker Guide, The Florida Department of Archives and History, p iv
4. ^ The Blue Star Memorial Marker Program    [Online] http://www.gardenclub.org/projects/ongoing-projects/blue-star-memorials.aspx