Documenting the historical links between people and places as recorded by commemorative plaques
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Plaque Of The Day
Guglielmo Marconi, Edward VII, and Theodore Roosevelt brass plaque
Deirdre says, "Before Twitter and text messaging there were telegrams! The first wireless transatlantic one was sent from this spot in Cape Cod to England on 18th Jan 1903, addressed to Edward VII King of England from Theodore Roosevelt President of the United States of America. Wireless traffic between the two countries is somewhat busier these days."
Place Of The Day
Norwich, United Kingdom
Norwich has a long history. It has been a city since 1094. From the Middle Ages until the Industrial Revolution, Norwich was the largest city in England after London and one of the most important. This is refelected in its plaques.
Most-viewed plaques
In the last 11 years, between 20 May 2009 to 6 Jan 2021, Open Plaques had 4,530,517 page views from 1,234,480 users. Some were triggered by internet memes such as Steve Ullathorne's 2012 image of a George Orwell plaque with a CCTV camera next to it. Others, such as those for Alan Turing, were probably triggered by an anniversary and campaign for recognition.
- George Orwell 1903-1950 novelist & political essayist lived here (19526 page views)
- Jacob von Hogflume 1864-1909 Inventor of time travel. lived here in 2189 (15077 page views)
- George Orwell 1903-1950 novelist and political essayist lived here (6390 page views)
- Jimi Hendrix 1942-1970 guitarist and songwriter lived here 1968-1969 (5714 page views)
- Alan Turing 1912-1954 founder of computer science and cryptographer, whose work was key to breaking the wartime Enigma codes, lived and died here. (4085 page views)
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 1859-1930 creator of Sherlock Holmes lived here 1891-1894 (3846 page views)
- Alan Turing 1912-1954 code breaker lived here from 1945-1947 (3679 page views)
- This building housed the offices of Charles Dickens' magazine 'All The Year Round' and his private apartments 1859-1870 (3339 page views)
- Dame Agatha Christie 1890-1976 detective novelist and playwright lived here 1934-1941 (3027 page views)
- The Peterloo Massacre. On 16th August 1819, a peaceful rally of 60,000 pro-democracy reformers, men, women and children was attacked by armed cavalry resulting in 15 deaths and over 600 injuries. (3006 page views)
recently photographed plaques
Originally the Smethwick Public Building Built in 1867 by the Local Board of Health and used as the main library since 1928
Smethwick Library, High Street, Smethwick, United Kingdom
Subjects
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Henriette Wolff [full inscription unknown]
English translation: Henriette Wolff
Bundesratufer 1, Mitte, Berlin, Germany
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Early New Fountain community Ebenezer Methodist Church of New Fountain Immigrants from Germany and Alsace Lorraine settled New Fountain and vicinity, during the late 1840's. New Fountain was located somewhat centrally on the Verde Creek about 2 miles west of Quihi in an area known as Soldaten Kemp (Soldiers Camp). In 1858, Reverend F. A. Schaper organized a Methodist Society known as the Ebenezer of New Fountain. There wee 15 charter members that began this organization at the home of John and Aaike Weimers. Frequently, meetings were held under the famed "Weimers Oak" in their backyard. The first sanctuary built was a small, pole style building approximately 16 x 20 feet with a crude adjacent shelter for the parsonage. It was located a short distance southwest of the present sanctuary, 0.35 miles south of FM 2676 on CR 451. The building was 100 feet west of the road facing toward the east, approximately 150 feet south of the present day 1733 CR 451. The building also served as the area school with the pastor as the school teacher. When heavy rains flooded the area sloughs and creeks, water damaged the building and washed away part of the nearby cemetery. Time and weather destroyed all remains of this first sanctuary. Muennink Cotton Gin The Muennink Cotton Gin was constructed in the late 1800's, about one hundred yards south of the first sanctuary for the Ebenezer Methodist Church of New Fountain towards the Verde Creek, 0.04 miles south of FM 2676 on CR451. The gin was one of the first in the county, adding greatly to the progress of agriculture and prosperity of farmers in the area. Prior to the construction, the cotton had to be hauled to Cibolo for baling. The farmers agreed to plant 200 acres of cotton if Friedrich Muennink would build a gin. The gin became a reality and in 1870 more than a bale of cotton per acre was produced. The gin is said to have been the first building with a tin roof, electricity and telephone. The lumber of the building was hauled from San Antonio. The story goes that during the construction C. V. Neumann and two other men were being watched by Indians. The Indians surrounded the building and shot arrows at it. The sound of the arrows hitting the tin roof scared the Indians off. The building had been remodeled in 1891. The advent of the boll weevil halted the production of cotton in the area during the early 1900's. The historic building was destroyed in 1983 by a windstorm.
, Hondo, TX, United States
John Jaffray 1818-1901 Reformer, Philanthopist and founder of the Jaffray Hospital. Lived here from 1862
Consultancy Suite, Priory Hospital, Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Subjects
Chinn's Court. Malthouse and butcher's premises with cattle stalls, slaughter house, preparation room, plucking shed, stable, tack-room and cart shed with hay loft over. Chinn's butchers and fishmongers fronted the Market Place.
, Warminster, United Kingdom
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St. M. I. James Wagstaff John Savage John Shadgett churchwardens 1855
77 Caledonian Road, London, London, United Kingdom
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Ryde Pier Tramway Opened 29 August 1864 Closed 26 January 1969
Ryde Pier, Ryde, United Kingdom
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Babbacombe Cliff home to one of Britain's most famous playwrights during the winter of 1892-93 Oscar Wilde poet, self-styled leader of the aesthetic movement, wit, playwright and father. Born October 16th 1854 died November 30th 1900. Author of the famous play The Importance Of Being Ernest
Babbacombe Beach Road, Torquay, United Kingdom
Subjects
Here lived Benjamin Disraeli Earl of Beaconsfield from 1839 to 1873
93 Park Lane, London, United Kingdom
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Texas Historical Marker #09376
Clear Creek Confederate War Camps. Although no physical evidence has been found of the Confederate camp sites in this area, historical accounts have established that this part of Waller County was the location of several Civil War encampments. The close proximity of Clear Creek, the railroad, and the city of Hempstead made this area a logical site for training soldiers and for holding federal prisoners. Although Camp Groce and Camp Herbert were the most widely known, other camps were known to have been established as the need existed and were abandoned when no longer necessary. #9376
US 290, 3.5 mi. E, Hempstead, TX, United States
Texas Historical Marker #00447
Boldtville Schoolhouse. Land for this schoolhouse was given to Bexar County in 1919 by Albert F. Boldt. During that year this two-room building was constructed by local resident Fritz Gembler. From 1919 until 1960 it served as an educational facility for the children of nearby rural families. An example of a typical early 20th-century, two-room Texas schoolhouse, the structure features a pedimented porch with a cupola. (1984) #447
6634 New Sulpher Springs Rd., San Antonio, TX, United States