Answer the Questions, Win a Prize!!

[Willis]

County History 101

Click HERE for a chance to enlighten our viewers AND win a prize of truly nugatory proportions!!

[katybelle]

I'm game for a try even though I am not a long time local...
Are they markers for a historical "trail" erected throughout the county?

Katybelle

[katybelle]

I'm game for a try even though I am not a long time local...
Are they markers for a historical "trail" erected throughout the county?

Katybelle

[Tony Rosati]

Looks suspiously like a civil war marker for "General Grant drank here." or something similar.

[Tony Rosati]

Looks suspiously like a civil war marker for "General Grant drank here." or something similar.

[Jim]

I don't know what it is either but I also noticed one today next to the Visitor's Center as you come into Bolivar.

[Jim]

I don't know what it is either but I also noticed one today next to the Visitor's Center as you come into Bolivar.

[Ron]

Come on Willis--give us another hint. Does it have something to do with the upcoming elections?
Also, you are correct---they are uncomfortable to sit on.

My guess: Leftover political signs from the civil war era?

[Ron]

Come on Willis--give us another hint. Does it have something to do with the upcoming elections?
Also, you are correct---they are uncomfortable to sit on.

My guess: Leftover political signs from the civil war era?

[Brian]

Could this be a mile-marker of some sort or a check point? Reminds me of an article I read recently about some of the original mile markers that still exist along the Boston Post Road, Rt 1 up north.

[Brian]

Could this be a mile-marker of some sort or a check point? Reminds me of an article I read recently about some of the original mile markers that still exist along the Boston Post Road, Rt 1 up north.

[Cat]

They are civil war markers erected A LONG TIME ago pre-1948. One of our long time mountain residents claims the the marker at the mailboxes was moved to it's present location unofficially by another local. It was orginally placed at the end of the road to John Brown's farm.

[Cat]

They are civil war markers erected A LONG TIME ago pre-1948. One of our long time mountain residents claims the the marker at the mailboxes was moved to it's present location unofficially by another local. It was orginally placed at the end of the road to John Brown's farm.

[Willis]

Thanks for playing, guys- I've gotten obsessed by the history bug after finding out we're smack in the midst of it. Katy Belle, they weren't erected as a trail, but they would mark a fantastic route to travel thru the County. You could learn about history and get familiar with Jefferson County simultaneously. A splendid idea for the tourism honchos to promote.

TonyR- General Grant got drunk everywhere. Perhaps it marks the one spot where he was sober?

Jim's correct in his observation. they're extant throughout the County- many more than a dozen but less than 50.

Ron's guess is correct as to the era but they're not political- although next century we'll probably still be seeing leftovers from this year's election. And his observation concerning the comfort quotient of the obelisk is absolutely correct, ouch, ouch.

Brian, I'm saddened to say they have naught to do with mileage.

And Cat, as my Momma would say, "you're getting warmer" - # 16 was most likely moved from the area to which you refer. And the Whazzits were erected before 1948.

They are sometimes referred to as ______ Markers and were established to mark(duh-oh) Civil War(I love the oxymoron)type things. The group that erected them is still active in the County.

Cat has the lead in the quest for that item of haute couture so far!

[Willis]

Thanks for playing, guys- I've gotten obsessed by the history bug after finding out we're smack in the midst of it. Katy Belle, they weren't erected as a trail, but they would mark a fantastic route to travel thru the County. You could learn about history and get familiar with Jefferson County simultaneously. A splendid idea for the tourism honchos to promote.

TonyR- General Grant got drunk everywhere. Perhaps it marks the one spot where he was sober?

Jim's correct in his observation. they're extant throughout the County- many more than a dozen but less than 50.

Ron's guess is correct as to the era but they're not political- although next century we'll probably still be seeing leftovers from this year's election. And his observation concerning the comfort quotient of the obelisk is absolutely correct, ouch, ouch.

Brian, I'm saddened to say they have naught to do with mileage.

And Cat, as my Momma would say, "you're getting warmer" - # 16 was most likely moved from the area to which you refer. And the Whazzits were erected before 1948.

They are sometimes referred to as ______ Markers and were established to mark(duh-oh) Civil War(I love the oxymoron)type things. The group that erected them is still active in the County.

Cat has the lead in the quest for that item of haute couture so far!

[Zeke]

Is it a Freeman Marker?

[Zeke]

Is it a Freeman Marker?

[Willis]

And Zeke is getting even warmererer(more warmer?, less colder)- they are indeed in the same vein as the FREEMAN MARKERS. Although those are more elaborate, ours in Jefferson County predate the ones in the Richmond area by about 10 years(so there, VA). They were installed by an organization that is now known as "The Sons of Confederate Veterans" commencing in 1911. They are referred to as "Skirmish Markers" and commemerate some of the lesser known engagements in our area between the Blue and the Gray. One of the most recognizeable names of the combatants was John Singleton Mosby, the Gray Ghost. His men were said to have used the Shannondale Inc. office building as a hideout on numerous occasions.

You done good, Zeke, real good, but(and there's always a but) that answers only two parts of the question. Now, how many are there in our County and where are they located. A hint: I'm upping the booty to be won(That's Booty As in Prizes) by including a booklet that not only answers the questions but also contains succinct descriptions of each skirmish, often in the words of the participants. A great key to a self-guided tour.

[Willis]

And Zeke is getting even warmererer(more warmer?, less colder)- they are indeed in the same vein as the FREEMAN MARKERS. Although those are more elaborate, ours in Jefferson County predate the ones in the Richmond area by about 10 years(so there, VA). They were installed by an organization that is now known as "The Sons of Confederate Veterans" commencing in 1911. They are referred to as "Skirmish Markers" and commemerate some of the lesser known engagements in our area between the Blue and the Gray. One of the most recognizeable names of the combatants was John Singleton Mosby, the Gray Ghost. His men were said to have used the Shannondale Inc. office building as a hideout on numerous occasions.

You done good, Zeke, real good, but(and there's always a but) that answers only two parts of the question. Now, how many are there in our County and where are they located. A hint: I'm upping the booty to be won(That's Booty As in Prizes) by including a booklet that not only answers the questions but also contains succinct descriptions of each skirmish, often in the words of the participants. A great key to a self-guided tour.

[Tony Rosati]

So, if I understand Willis properly, the Booty prize, will only go to the person who already knows what it says?!? [:u] (Isn't this kinda like the old "coal to Newcastle" analogy?)

I sincerely hope it is being scanned for posterity and eventual display on one of the appropriate (but likely equally obscure) web sites.

Of course with the challenge outlined that way it naturally triggered an added clue.

Ahah! Perhaps (probably) not the sole source, but one that seems sufficent.
http://www.homepagez.com/maclizard/vamarkers.html

Sounds like the answer is 25, Civil War battle markers / Military Operations in Jefferson Co. ( Va. & WVa.) - 1861-1865.
[:I]