If you travel around our state, it’s highly likely that at some point you’ll come across a road sign that gives information about the historic importance of a particular place.
There are approximately 260 of these “historic markers.”
But there have been problems with the signs.
Some were factually inaccurate. Others referred to ethnic groups in a way we wouldn’t refer to those groups today.
Still others signs were stolen or had to be replaced because of wear. Others had spelling mistakes.
The offending historic markers have now all been replaced. The goal for full replacement was the end of September 2015 - just a few days ago - and that goal has been reached.
Ron James spearheaded the effort to replace the signs before his retirement from the State Historic Preservation Office in Carson City.
Many of the inaccurate or insensitive signs were put up in the 1970s and 80s, Ron James told KNPR's State of Nevada.
James wrote the replacement texts. Almost half of the markers had to be changed because of language. For instance, the Tuscarora sign in Elko County referred to “Chinese hoards.”
The original installation of the historic markers were set in motion in 1964 the centennial of the state. The occasion was marked with 17 markers in 17 counties.
The original Clark County sign was the El Dorado Canyon sign. That one was replaced because it disappeared – presumably stolen.
Ron James, former head of the State Historic Preservation Office,
