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Commission raises wording concerns for technical-college marker, votes to install marker with follow-up clarification
Summary
Commissioners debated language on a proposed marker for the Georgetown Technical College site — specifically wording that could imply the current building was designed by Harold J. Riddle despite later renovations — and voted to proceed with installation while pursuing a QR-code clarification or minor correction with the state.
A commissioner read the proposed historical-marker text and flagged language that could mislead visitors about the building's designer. "It says the original campus headquarters fronting US Highway 501 was designed by local architect Harold j Riddle," the moderator said, noting the current structure had been extensively renovated and could be mistaken for the original architect's work.
The researcher for the marker told the commission the state added the architect credit and that the factual attribution refers to the original building even though later renovations substantially changed the structure. "I was the researcher for it, but the state added that. And it is fact. He made the building, but it was renovated," the committee member said. Commissioners discussed three options — install as written and add a QR code with clarifying details; return the marker for rework; or commission a new marker — and ultimately moved and seconded a motion to place the marker while staff follow up with the state about wording and pursue a QR-code clarification.
