Historical Markers

For some years we have wanted to install historical markers around town that would help tell the story of both the battle as well as the Civil War related history of Augusta. However, trying to install such markers a large amount of funding as the design and installation of markers can be an expensive proposition. One thought was to become a part of the Civil War Trails program, which requires a membership of $200 every year, and each interpretive panel would cost in excess of $2000. While the folks at Civil War Trails take care of the design and installation of the panels, and also takes care of replacing the panels, the cost is simply not something our small coffers can afford. However, there might be another way to have historical markers installed.

The William G. Pomeroy Foundation accepts grant applications for historical markers and if approved there is no cost to have them designed and manufactured. They have several different series of marker, with the Hometown Heritage series fitting nicely with the Civil War history of Augusta. The markers are cast aluminum, 32” wide by 18” tall, and come with a 7’ aluminum pole. For the Hometown Heritage markers the background is an eye-catching medium blue, highlighted by white lettering, and a state outline within the top circle.

The first location that we might try to install such a marker would be Coburn-Baker Cemetery. Seemingly no one claims to own the property, so installing a sign in the area between Kentucky 19 and the cemetery proper should not cause any issues. With the eye-catching color, it would draw attention to this forgotten historic cemetery. If a sign is installed there, then other signs might be considered around Augusta.

A marker at Coburn-Baker might have this for text:

COBURN-BAKER

HISTORIC CEMETERY WITH

VETERANS FROM THE

AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND

CIVIL WAR BURIED WITHIN.

IN USE 1805 TO 1921.

We will more on this topic once we have submitted our grant.