Historic Markers Around Town

I’ve seen historic plaques mounted on poles as I travel in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, and a very occasional one in the five boroughs. They’re part of an initiative devised by New York State Education Department in 1928 to mark places of historical significance, and for nearly 40 years, almost 2800 such markers were placed all over the state.

The signs are marvels of design. Most of them feature dark blue backgrounds with gold raised block lettering and trim, though there are variations in color and lettering...