Oregon Travel Information Council debuted its new regional marker program in 2009 to coincide with our state’s sesquicentennial. The series exemplifies the purpose of TIC through honoring our state’s citizens, places, and events. Regional markers serve as gateways to travel and tourism at highly visible sites within Oregon’s seven geographic and cultural regions.
Regional markers are framed in Port Orford cedar, differ from traditional historical markers, and encompass an entire region—not just one site. Since the program is funded solely by public sponsorship, regional markers make the most of everyone’s resources; two or more organizations can team up to help fund their fabrication and installation.
The first in the statewide regional series was the Southern Oregon Umpqua Valley marker. Located in Roseburg, the marker highlights the magical geological birth if Crater Lake, the exotic mineral deposits which supported 19th century mining, and the indigenous tribes who benefitted from the Umpqua Valley’s inherent sources of wild foods and bountiful river-life.
For more information on the location of the marker, visit the City of Roseburg website.
Along the Oregon Central Coast, a second marker sponsored by the City of Yachats was dedicated in May 2011. The new marker represents the Indian tribes stretching along the coastline: Salmon River, Siletz, Yaquina, Alsea, Siuslaw, Lower Umpqua, and the Coos. The tribal names remain prominently applied to the rivers and estuaries.
For more information on the history and location of this marker, visit the Yachats Beach Blog.
Sponsorship
TIC’s Heritage Programs are seeking sponsors for the rest in the series of regional historical markers. Potential sites include public parks, welcome centers and rest areas along major highways such as I-5 or I-84.
Traveling to experience other people’s landscapes, history and way of life is an important, growing aspect of visiting new places. The markers help preserve an area’s unique history and character and at the same time, help boost local economies by bringing motorists off the highway and into local communities.
When complete, the series will provide an enduring tribute to the heritage of geographic regions throughout the state.
Sponsorship is open to businesses, foundations, nonprofits, and public agencies. OTIC encourages communities and potential sponsors to work collaboratively to sponsor a marker in their region or sub-region.
The series is commissioned by OTIC and produced by Sea Reach Ltd., a specialized exhibit company in Sheridan, Oregon. Narrative text and graphics are being developed with oversight from the OTIC Historical Marker Committee and other experts in Oregon history.
Note: Oregon Travel Information Council is a governmental unit and is not subject to Federal income tax under the provisions of Section 115(1) of the Internal Revenue Code. Charitable contributions to governmental units are tax-deductible under section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code if made for a public purpose.
Please Contact Us to learn more about sponsoring a regional marker today – we’d love to hear from you.
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Oregon Travel Information Council’s heritage programs Facebook page is an excellent way to glean special events and historical nuggets about heritage trees and historical markers. You can follow us by clicking on the Facebook icon.