Commissioners of the Tumwater Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 20 reviewed a proposal to install a coordinated set of roadside signs that would identify the College Trail and historic highway routings through the city.

The presenter, identified only as David, described the concept as “readable roadside history,” saying it “doesn't require any staffing” once installed and could be “supplemented with a website” for greater detail. The proposal would place pole-mounted emblems at key gateways and intersections showing layered route identities — College Trail, Pacific Highway/Highway 1 and Historic Highway 99 — and repeat them often to build public recognition.

The presentation mapped proposed locations from the southern gateway where a Historic Highway 99 sign already stands, north through the CH 20/DAR monument area, 84th Avenue near the Bush Homestead access, by the Davis Meeker oak, adjacent to Peter G. Schmidt and Michael T. Simmons elementary schools, and into the Falls/Brewery Falls Park area. The presenter proposed roughly 30–40 signs in the full scheme but acknowledged that the number could be reduced to focus on “Southern And Northern Gateway, Oaktree, Peter G. Schmidt and Michael T. Simmons” if funding or permitting constrained the plan.

Public commenter Eric Johansen urged stronger recognition of Indigenous history tied to the Cowlitz Trail, recommending outreach to as many as eight tribes and suggesting emblems or interpretive panels developed with tribal input. Johansen said the trail and the Davis Meeker oak are culturally significant and asked that tribal voices shape any interpretive content.

Commissioners and staff flagged two practical constraints: permitting by the city street department and the community development office, and the long-term maintenance burden of complex kiosks. Staff noted a range of costs: simple roadway plates were described in the discussion as low-cost (informally compared to “about $100”), whereas fuller interpretive panels were cited at roughly $5,000–$6,000 each. Commissioners recommended a January follow-up meeting that would include transportation and community development staff and stone-carving partners to discuss permitting, design standards and a staged implementation plan.

The commission did not adopt any formal policy or funding allocation at the meeting. Next steps agreed by the group included reconvening a working session early next year, consulting with city permitting staff, and inviting tribal and stakeholder partners to a focused design discussion.