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Clay County historical board backs lower-cost local marker trial, eyes tourism coordination
Summary
The Clay County Historical Preservation Board reviewed mock-ups for lower-cost local markers and agreed to pilot portable signs to mark sites such as the Middleburg Colored School while state marker work continues; members discussed costs, mounting, durability and coordination with county sign shop and tourism.
At its regular meeting, the Clay County Historical Preservation Board reviewed mock-ups for lower-cost local historic markers and agreed the designs could be used as temporary or placeholder signs while the backlog of state markers is addressed.
Board Chair Billy Gould said the mock-ups were intended to be an affordable interim solution and noted the signs “cost significantly less — about $75 to $80 to make” at the shown size. A staff member gave an alternate quote of $57.94 including shipping for a 30-by-42-inch panel but said that price did not include the mounting posts. Members discussed mounting the panels on county square-rail posts at the same height as state markers (about 4 feet off the ground) so they are easily visible.
The board heard that the signs would be sturdy — double-post-mounted with the panel sandwiched between rails — and that county sign-shop staff would handle installation. One member said a donor has offered to contribute funds to try a small number of signs as a trial, and members discussed piloting the signs for several months before deciding whether to pursue state-style engraved markers.
Members suggested small readability and cosmetic changes before production, including left-justifying long text blocks to improve legibility and lightening the emblem background so text is easier to read. The board reviewed two layout variants and favored the right-hand layout in the mock-ups for tighter spacing and easier reading.
Board members asked staff to coordinate with Clay County tourism about adding sign locations to tourism materials and the county’s “Explore Clay” effort so visitors can find marked sites. Staff said they would contact tourism and bring a budget-and-plan item back to the board next month, including how many signs could be produced given available funding.
The board also discussed possible locations to start the rollout, naming the Middleburg Colored School and other locally significant sites such as cemeteries, parks and houses of local note. Members agreed to reconvene on budget and site selection at the next meeting.
No formal motion was required to move forward with design revisions and a pilot; the board’s discussion closed with staff direction to refine the designs, collect final pricing including posts and installation, and coordinate with tourism and the sign shop.
The board additionally noted the state marker process remains delayed and that local markers can increase community awareness while the county and state move forward on formal designations.
