|
So far in my collection of Nevada's historical markers, a growing number of markers have come up missing, markers that are "Missing in Action." In most cases, these "MIAs" end up as such usually due to one of these three things ...
1. Rapid expansion in our state. This is a case when workers and builders purposefully take down the markers for their safety, but forget to re-erect them.
2. "Accidental deaths" occurs when a marker is accidentally destroyed, In most cases, this happens usually when a marker is hit by a vehicle. When this happens, it is unlikely the marker will be replaced in the future.
3. Intentional vandalism. This worse case scenario occurs when a marker is intentionally de-faced, removed, destroyed or placed on private property by reasons known only to the perpetraitor. When this happens, the marker is unlikely to be replaced. In a few instances, mainly in rural areas, some markers have been vandalized beyond recognition and removed by the Historical Society itself to prevent further repair costs!
Over the past five years, I have been in contact with the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in an attempt to keep them updated on the markers throughout the state. However, perhaps the most disconcerting aspect to the marker system is the barriers of red tape involved in the processes of care and maintenance of the markers. With so many sudden disappearances of our state markers throughout Nevada, the future can at times look very bleak for the State Marker System. After talking to many people and leaping over such seemingly impassable barriers, I have learned that processes are being done to re-erect these missing markers. For one thing, it is the responsibility of the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) not the job of the SHPO, for erecting and maintaining of the state's historical markers. In addition, the Office has a difficult time recording which markers go missing. The only way they found out is by the general public -- us actual marker hunters who have been out in the field and update them on the markers' present state. (Yours truly has done this throughout his journey, but little if anything has been done to correct the issues. This may not be entirely the fault of the Office as you'll learn in the a minute.) Therefore, finding any information on the missing markers in terms of their whereabouts or what happened to them is a real hit and miss. This is especially true in rural areas of Nevada. Thanks to looming budget cuts in Nevada, funding for the State Marker System takes the proverbial back burner; the task of regular marker maintenance suddenly gets an undeserving place down at the bottom of the list. Speaking of which, this foreboding paragraph posted in 2008 is listed on the SHPO ("Historical Markers") Homepage...
"In the past, the State Historic Preservation Office welcomed applications for new markers, but due to budget cuts in 2009 the program has become dormant: new markers will not be installed and markers threatened by vandals and the environment are not likely to be repaired."
This is why Nevada-Landmarks is up and running -- to insure the markers are recorded for our future generations. Of course maybe with enough badgering, something will be done to re-erect these missing markers. I am hopeful that with the help of this website, awareness of the importance of our State Marker System can only grow stronger. With awareness and a growing love for Nevada and its history, more can be done in the future despite the problematics of a budget cut. What we have must remain! So, what can you do?
If you see anybody vandalizing or otherwise defacing any of our historic markers, or if you happen across a downed marker that's recently been hit or any other oddity that may threaten the "life" of the marker, please feel free to do your part! Speak up. If you don't, another marker could be added to this already growing list.
 "Nevada's Legacy"
Save our historic markers!
|
This list is a following catalog of markers that I dub as "MIAs," markers that are still present in the system, but have gone missing from their listed locations. Please know that I have personally visited all of these markers and marker locations to confirm their status. With hope, us marker hunters and lovers of history can expect any of these MIAs to be replaced at anytime. Perhaps most problematic for our state's markers involve statewide budget cuts and/or continuous conflicting public and private land ownerships. On the other hand (maybe with a little badgering on our part), we can hope to see them re-erected. Certainty is never forever.
Here's the deal: All of the information listed for the MIAs are based on my own personal findings and research through either state archives, libraries, and local interviews. Each MIA is listed with a status line, ("Unconfirmed, Missing in Action"... "Conquered, Late Removal"), along with their listed location according to the SHPO, their original text and my own personal findings. Please note that a few of these markers, such as #259, have been listed as "Conquered, Late Removal", and have their own regular page on this website along with an "UPDATE" bar. This is because I was fortunate enough to conquer such markers before their disappearance. In these cases, today's viewer will still find them completely gone until a new update bar is posted. Keep checking back on this page, as further updates will be posted as soon I have them! Until then, please email me if you should receive any new info regarding any MIAs I have listed here, including the disappearance of new markers. Awareness is the key to solving this MIA dilemma here in Nevada.
Marker Status
(as of January/February 2013) |
|
Missing Markers: 29/271
Marker Count: 271/271 = 100% FINISHED!
County Count: 17/17 Conquered!
|
|
|
|
