A friend of mine is doing some research on Roadside Memorials, as in the memorials/crosses placed on roadsides by families that have lost loved ones due to car accidents or other accidents. He does not have a "real" email address, so he cannot sign up to post this request, so I will for him.
If you know of any of these, there locations specifically, and any background can you email him at:
If you talk to you friend, and if this is for an article or research of some sort, might be a good idea to include the spate of "street sign memorials" throughout the city.
Daley and the city finally had to say 'enough!' Almost every other street in some of those neighborhoods have an alternative name.
You may be interested to know that roadside memorials originate from a Hebrew practice found in the Old Testament. -
'Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and named it Ebenezer; for he said, "Thus far the LORD has helped us." So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel; the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The towns that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath; and Israel recovered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.' (1 Samuel 7:12-14 NRSV)
The translation of Ebenezer is “stone of help”. The stone serves as a reminder of God’s presence and help. Today, the word Ebenezer refers to any memorial marker such as roadside pictures, crosses, etc. though it’s not used much.
Yes, my mind is a vast wasteland of trivial, but I hope somewhat interesting facts.
Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. Aldous Huxley
Posts: 20 | Location: South of FDR | Registered: January 17, 2005
Is your pal trying to create a directory of roadside memorials? While I don't stay up at night thinking about all the roadside memorials I see, I don't think I'd want to create one if I were to lose a loved one in an accident on the road. First, if it happened, I know I wouldn't need a reminder of where it occurred. Second, it's not my property and I don't have the right to place and maintain a private memorial on what is most likely public property.
That said, there are at least two fairly extensive memorials on the north side of the Indiana Tollway just west of South Bend. They are clearly maintained (grass cut, etc.) and IRRC one might actually have a granite-like tombstone.
I am a dyslexic agnostic insomniac. I lay awake at night wondering if there is a dog.
I really, really dislike roadside memorials. They turn my stomach and make me very sad. I don't like seeing the plastic flowers fading year after year. The person is still gone and nothing can change that. I would visit cemeteries if that is what I wanted to see. I hope this doesn't sound to insensitive but I'm being honest in saying that they really upset me and wish the trend would stop.
Actually, I think they do serve a purpose for the public in some fashion. When I do see one, it seems to heighten my awareness that it may be a dangerous intersection or section of the roadway and I take notice with my surroundings and my driving.
Some western states (SD, MT, UT?) place signs denoting where and how many people have been killed at dangerous road areas. Not technically memorials but a group of roadsigns with crosses on makes me slow down and take notice. A bit creepy though.
Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. Aldous Huxley
Posts: 20 | Location: South of FDR | Registered: January 17, 2005
Oh thanks Clam - at first I thought that maybe Riford continued somehow to 53. Ya never know in this town. I didn't give it a thought to be St Charles. I’ll have to give that corner it a look next time I go home to see if it is still here.
We had one in front of my work, on our property, for the longest time. A teenager. It was there and replaced for years. I think my boss or the village finally put a stop to it. Plus we’ve had TWICE major street/sewage pipe collapse within the last 9 months (just recently Tuesday) and that would surly wipe out any flowers or crosses due to equipment. So I won’t e-mail any information to this person because it surely has been flattened. There is the one on North Ave., right in front of Salt Creek BBQ. Motorcycle/DUI accident/death.
OOPS! Post corrected. I've been up in the fresh air too long!
Thanks Clam. Arten is doing well. Built me a new garage and put up one of those Menard Quanset tarp buildings. (That brings the total to 9 outbuildings!)
Saw one from the train the other day, in Lombard, S side of the tracks, W side of Elizabeth where that astronaut's mom decided to take her own trip to the heavens...
