Signs of Our Time

Dave Laton
  • 5.0 (2)
  • HISTORY

Have you ever stopped to read a historical marker as you traveled across the US?  Perhaps you’ve wondered if there was more to the story.   This podcast seeks to reveal the story behind the story from America's roadside historical markers.  We explore the facts and sometimes quirky and unusual background information making our heritage even more fascinating. Let me know if you have an unusual historical marker we can explore.  americanhistoricalmarkers@gmail.com

  1. Episode - 34 - A Conversation With Todd Kent about Historical Markers

    4D AGO

    Episode - 34 - A Conversation With Todd Kent about Historical Markers

    Send us a text I'm fascinated by the many individuals involved with historical markers.  When I began my interest in historical markers I soon learned there was a culture surrounding them. In today's episode I have a conversation with Todd Kent.  Todd travels around documenting the story found on historical markers.  He has seen many fascinating markers in places we least expect to find one.   I invite you to visit Todd's productions on Instagram and TicToc.  You can search for him on both sites by typing in @txhistorymarkers.  You can also find him on YouTube at:  https://www.youtube.com/@EsteemEducation Support the show If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5. I truly apprecite your support. All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. I also invite you to leave me feedback by clicking on the "Send Us a Text" tab at the top of this discription. Safe Travels!

    23 min
  2. Episode 33 - Radical Abolistionist John Brown

    JAN 27

    Episode 33 - Radical Abolistionist John Brown

    Send us a text Among the many individuals associated with America's Civil War, perhaps among the best known is the radical abolitionist, John Brown.  Whether you agree or disagree with his views and actions, he had a lasting impact on the rich heritage of our great nation. In this episode I tell the story behind the story of the Civil War icon. References: The American Battlefield Trust (https://www.battlefields/org/learn/biographies/john-brown The Historical Marker Database (https://hmdb.org) Support the show If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5. I truly apprecite your support. All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. I also invite you to leave me feedback by clicking on the "Send Us a Text" tab at the top of this discription. Safe Travels!

    7 min
  3. Episode 32 - Groundhog Day

    JAN 20

    Episode 32 - Groundhog Day

    Send us a text We all have favorite holidays.  It seems that each month has its own signature holiday.  One of the favorite for many is Groundhog Day.   In this episode we'll look at the origin of this day and the story behind the story. References Historical Marker Database (https://hmdb.org) Short Food Blog (https://shortfoodblog.com) Wikipedia (https:Wikipedia.org) Mental Bomb (https://mentalbomb.com) Support the show If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5. I truly apprecite your support. All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. I also invite you to leave me feedback by clicking on the "Send Us a Text" tab at the top of this discription. Safe Travels!

    8 min
  4. Episode 31 - The Baby Head Cemetery

    JAN 13

    Episode 31 - The Baby Head Cemetery

    Send us a text Throughout the United States you will find communities with strange names.  Perhaps the strangest is found in the hill country of Texas.    Texas is a wonderful place to travel to enjoy beautiful scenery, the famous blue bonnets and other Texas wildflowers, and sites that chronical the storied American West.  In this episode I look at the strange story behind a little-known Texas ghost town.  It is the story of the Baby Head Cemetery References:    Highlander News (www.highlandernews.com) Texas Hill Country (www.texashillcountry.com) Atlas Obscura (www.atlasobscura.com) Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org) Chris Restores TX (https://www.youtube.com/@chrisrestorestx) Support the show If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5. I truly apprecite your support. All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. I also invite you to leave me feedback by clicking on the "Send Us a Text" tab at the top of this discription. Safe Travels!

    6 min
  5. Episode 30 - A Conversation With Harry Lee Chester ~ Southwell Company

    JAN 6

    Episode 30 - A Conversation With Harry Lee Chester ~ Southwell Company

    Send us a text There are many things we take for granted or don’t think about what goes in to bringing something in front of us.  Historical markers fits in that category.  We drive past, perhaps stopping to read a marker and enjoy the experience.  But most of us don’t think about all that goes in to the process of manufacturing and placing a historical marker.    An important part of the process is a company out of Corpus Christi; Texas called The Southwell Company.  This fascinating company has a rich heritage of it’s own and deserving of its own historical marker.  In this episode I visit with a new friend, Harry Lee Chester, Jr.  Harry is the owner of Southwell Company and is directly active in its leadership.    I invite you to join us in this fascinating look at a company the is instrumental in helping us know the story behind the story of historical markers.  You can learn more about the Southwell Company and Harry Lee by visiting their website at:  https://southwellco.com.  I encourage you to consider their products if you are thinking of setting up a historical marker.  They also have a presence on Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/thesouthwellco  Support the show If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5. I truly apprecite your support. All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. I also invite you to leave me feedback by clicking on the "Send Us a Text" tab at the top of this discription. Safe Travels!

    33 min
  6. Episode 29 - Steve Bodnar ~ Funding Historical Markers Nation Wide Through the William G. Pomeroy Foundation

    12/30/2025

    Episode 29 - Steve Bodnar ~ Funding Historical Markers Nation Wide Through the William G. Pomeroy Foundation

    Send us a text We know the illustration of an onion.  There are many different elements we discover as we begin to peel back the layers.  That is true as well with historical markers.   My guest in this episode is Steve Bodnar,  Associate Director for Strategic Marketing for the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.  You can hear the excitement and passion in his voice as he describes what the Pomeroy Foundation does to help us preserve and champion the rich heritage of our nation. I invite you to listen as Steve and I discuss more of the story behind the story of America's historical markers.  I like their slogan from their website:  "For History For Life". You can learn more about the Willam G. Pomeroy Foundation and how you can be a part of this amazing work by going to their web site:  https://www.wgpfoundation.org/ Support the show If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5. I truly apprecite your support. All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. I also invite you to leave me feedback by clicking on the "Send Us a Text" tab at the top of this discription. Safe Travels!

    33 min
  7. Episode 28 - The Blind Knight

    12/23/2025

    Episode 28 - The Blind Knight

    Send us a text In this episode we will look at the story behind the story of The Blind Knight.  It is a story of a man, physically blind but with a vision and the will to accomplish it.  He serves as an inspiration to us all. References: Wikipedia Historical Marker Database (hmdb.org) Francis Joseph Campbell - Perkins School for the Blind (Perkins.org) Support the show If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5. I truly apprecite your support. All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. I also invite you to leave me feedback by clicking on the "Send Us a Text" tab at the top of this discription. Safe Travels!

    6 min
  8. Episode 27 - The Betty and Barney Hill Incident

    12/16/2025

    Episode 27 - The Betty and Barney Hill Incident

    Send us a text We all like good science fiction stories and mysteries.  Well, this episode speaks to both.  In this episode I look at the alien abduction event involving Betty and Barney Hill.  Although not the first documented alien abduction event, it is perhaps the most well known and well documented. I inivte you to listen to the story behind the story of this strange event from America's past. References: Appalacian Mountain Club allthatisinteresting.com Wikipedia Historical Marker Database Support the show If today’s episode has resonated with you or helped you in any way, and you’d like to support the show so we can continue to bring you new and free content, I’ve set up an account on Buy Me a Coffee. Through this easy-to-use donation-based tool, you can support the podcast with monetary donations in increments of $5. I truly apprecite your support. All donations receive a shoutout as a way of saying thank you. I also invite you to leave me feedback by clicking on the "Send Us a Text" tab at the top of this discription. Safe Travels!

    7 min
See All (33)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Have you ever stopped to read a historical marker as you traveled across the US?  Perhaps you’ve wondered if there was more to the story.   This podcast seeks to reveal the story behind the story from America's roadside historical markers.  We explore the facts and sometimes quirky and unusual background information making our heritage even more fascinating. Let me know if you have an unusual historical marker we can explore.  americanhistoricalmarkers@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Dave Laton
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Signs of Our Time
  • Show Website
    Signs of Our Time