Historic Marker

Millersburg Military Institute was a military boarding school established in 1893 by Colonel C. M. Best, who purchased the property and converted the former Kentucky Wesleyan College building on Main Street into the Millersburg Military Institute.

Col. Best closed the school in 1920, but the citizens of Millersburg established a corporation to continue the military school. The home of Sanford Allen on Main Street was purchased and became the hub of the school. Other buildings were added to the campus later, including a classroom building, a gymnasium, and a chapel.

The New York State Historic Marker Program began in 1926, administered by the State Education Department; an initiative to identify, interpret, and help preserve local historic sites. Over 2,800 of the small, cast iron site markers were erected on the edge of highways statewide during this program (1926-1939).

Ohio designated the Blaine Hill Bridge as the official state bicentennial bridge in 2002. The oldest sandstone bridge in Ohio, the Blaine Hill Bridge spans Wheeling Creek in Belmont County and is considered one of Ohio's most historically and architecturally significant structures. All Ohio Symbols

Historic Switzer covered bridge over North Elkhorn Creek in Franklin County was designated the official state covered bridge of Kentucky in 1998. All Kentucky Symbols

Built about 1855 and restored in 1906, the Switzer bridge closed to traffic in 1954. It was again restored in 1997 after a flood swept the bridge off its foundation.

The Switzer covered bridge was posted to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 (NRHP Structure #74000875).

Frankfort Mineral Springs was a famous resort and health spa initiated in the late 1790's. The "Frankfort House" serviced patrons in the summer months for over a century and closed in 1912.

The waters contained fifteen different minerals thought to have medicinal qualities. A historic marker was erected on the site by the Beaver County Historical Research & Landmarks Foundation.

The mineral springs are now part of Raccoon Creek State Park in Hookstown, PA (near Pittsburgh).

Marker Inscription

Pittsburgh's first successful blast furnace for making pig iron. Operations began in 1859 using Connellsville coke as fuel. The furnace's technology initiated a new era, leading to more advanced furnaces capable of producing huge amounts of iron and resulting in the modern version. Clinton Furnace played an important role in establishing Pittsburgh's dominance in iron and steel making. Operations ended in 1927.

Printer, author, inventor, diplomat, philanthropist, statesman, and scientist. The eighteenth century's most illustrious Pennsylvanian built a house in Franklin Court starting in 1763, and here he lived the last five years of his life.

Born in Virginia, Texas Jack came west after the Civil War at age 16 to become a cowboy. He later made a name for himself as a plainsman and U.S. government scout who led the Pawnee Indians on their summer hunts and was guide for such notables as the Earl of Dunraven.

In 1872, with friend W.F. (Buffallo Bill) Cody, he achieved national fame by starting the first wild west shows in America. (Texas Jack was honored posthumously in 1994 by induction into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame's Hall of Great Western Performers located at Oklahoma City).

"As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission, historical markers commemorate diverse topics including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to our state, community organizations, and businesses.

The historical marker program, established in 1946, is one of the Commission’s oldest and most popular programs. The blue and gold markers located throughout the state highlight people, places, and events significant in state and national history. More than 2,000 cast aluminum markers tell the stories of Native Americans and settlers, government and politics, athletes, entertainers, artists, struggles for freedom and equality, factories and businesses, and a multitude of other topics.