Massachusetts Tercentenary Signs

In 1628, several Plimouth colonists, led by John Endicott, established a new home north of the Charles River with permission from King Charles I in England and Governor John Bradford in Plimouth. Their new plantation would occupy much of today's Essex County and be centered on the town of Salem. In 1630, Endicott succeeded in securing a charter from the King to form a local government, separated from Plimouth colony and led by a crown-appointed governor. The Massachusetts Bay Colony was born. In 1928, the Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission was formed to celebrate the 300th birthday of the Colony. Part of their celebration included a program to identify and detail the sites and people who were significant in the formation of the Colony. These historic sites follow the paths of the original settlers as they ventured out from Salem to establish towns as far north as Salisbury and as far west as Northfield and Hartford. "The travellers who shall pass by the many storied ways through the lands of the Puritan occupation in the ancient days of the Massachusetts By Colony, may now read on tablets set by roadsides or in city streets the tales which the ocean shores, the hills, the fields, the churches, the garrison houses and the old hearthstones, have to tell of the heroism, of the romance and of the tragedies, and the unfaltering faith, of the ancestors of our Commonwealth," - Herbert Parker, chairman of the Tercentenary Commission. These Tercentenary Markers now dot the state along main roads as well as the countryside. Boston proper was not asked to provide any sites as it was deemed the city was historic enough and had all of its historical sites well marked already. The Markers were all designed to a specific formula - roughly 45x36 inches, white background, black lettering, black borders, the state seal, and signed Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission. They were made from cast iron and can weigh nearly 200lbs. The text of the original Markers was written by famed Harvard historian Samuel Eliot Morrison. These signs can be found in downtown areas, along major roadways, in the middle of nowhere, on private land, and elsewhere. Often these signs are right under our noses and have blended in to the scenery. Sadly, their position makes them prone to damage from car accidents, snow plows, and such. The signs are often in neglect but a small few show evidence of great care. Some are removed simply because they don't fit with the planning of a local historical commission. Salem removed all five of theirs to not interfere with the city’s own signage. Their whereabouts are unknown. UPDATE, July 2012: the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has announced they are replacing every single Marker. It seems as though word has gotten around and people feel the same way I do. That these pieces should be preserved and promoted. This is my photo project to get most, if not all, of these links to our past. Most of my research comes from websites and a few books. There are other sites on the web now that have documented all or most of the Markers. I try not to look at the completed lists as that spoils the fun in searching :) ! If you know of one and want to share your information, drop me an e-mail at douging@hotmail.com. Thanks! 106 and counting... Link to Google Maps detailing specific locations (work in progress): http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115988137233833491996.00045c51f8a7e01d95522&z=10