No One Around to Foot the Bill When Vandals Target Texas Historical Markers
Bullet holes. Spray paint. Harsh weather. Outright theft. Life can be hard for a public history marker in Texas.
In late February, the Texas State Historical Commission (THC) received reports of attacks on three markers in Llano County, west of Killeen. One 81-year-old sign commemorating “the last Indian battle in this region” is now soaked with a black spray paint scrawl saying “White history celebrates genocide.” Two other smaller markers show signs of damage, one pocked with bullet holes and another emblazoned with “DECOLONIZE!!!” in white paint.
These signs have become targets in the ongoing war over history and culture, with some seeing biased views of hostile Native Americans on public display and others seeing an attempt at revising history to appease political correctness. Vandals have used them as a canvass for racism or, in Llano’s case, political radicalism.
But damage is unavoidable, even without vandals. Drivers hit them, pranksters steal them and junkies target the metal to sell for scrap. Rain leaches color from brass and string trimmers leave residue. The wear and tear of a public sign requires steady upkeep, but there is no dedicated money in the state budget to do so.
Read more: http://www.dallasobserver.com/news/no-one-around-to-foot-the-bill-when-vandals-target-texas-historical-markers-9238746
[font color=330099]When I was a child my next door neighbor was a lady that provided much of the research for many of the historical markers in my county. It is disgusting to see the markers defaced and removed by vandals when you have an understanding of the work involved to have the state approve the applications for markers.[/font]