Apply to Establish an Historical Marker

The state of Oregon has a rich and varied history. Do you know of a roadside spot with a fascinating geologic or human history?

Historical marker about tsunamis, located in Seaside, Oregon.

We establish historical markers for…

Persons who have been dead for a length of time, generally at least 50 years in order for their ideas, services and/or accomplishments to be placed in accurate historical perspective. There must be a place in Oregon where they:

  1. Were born, or …
  2. Were killed, if death was of state or national significance, or …
  3. Lived for a substantial period of time at a permanent residence, or …
  4. Performed some act of state or national significance.

Events which took place within Oregon, generally at least 50 years ago, which are mentioned in at least one authoritative historical work and were:

  1. Military operations, or …
  2. Meetings with historically important results, or
  3. Acts of such historic importance as to have changed the course of state or national history.

Places:

  1. Where an historic event occurred, or …
  2. That have special historic interest by reason of being the first of what later became an institution of general use and acceptance in the field of human relations, or …
  3. That are associated with Native American culture, or…
  4. That are authoritatively identified with non-Indian exploration and settlement.

Geologic features, which are generally within one mile of the marker site and/or are visible from the site, and are:

  1. Of state or national significance, i.e. a landmark for the Oregon Trail pioneers or Native Americans, aided in settlement of state, etc., or …
  2. Unique to the state or Northwest, e.g. deepest, widest, first, last, oldest, etc., or …
  3. Illustrate hazards, e.g., volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, which are of continuing concern and for which the public need continued reminders, or …
  4. Exemplary examples of natural events.

How to apply for establishment of a new marker

We have a two-step application process for new historical markers. You will need to fill out a pre-application and, upon approval, a full application for your marker. The pre-application is found below, in the Technical Resources section.

Technical Resources

We encourage marker nomination, so feel free to complete the pre-application and return it to us at any time throughout the year.

Download this historical marker application form (PDF), print it to your printer, fill it in, and mail the application form to: OTE Historical Marker Program, Suite 150, 1500 Liberty St SE, Salem, OR 97302. You may also email a filled-in form (requires Adobe Pro software on your computer) back to the office.

If you have questions, you can always find a real live person at our toll free number, from 7:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. 1-800-574-9397.

To read PDF files, you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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