and in Puerto Rico, along the hillsides; .the road side crosses weren't only a memorial but a reminder to drive carefully. On Tuesday, May 13, 2003, at 03:48 PM, Keni Sturgeon wrote: > I seemed to recall reading a history of this while I was in grad > school at Arizona State University. I thought I'd check on-line and > this is the first entry I found: > > From Lincoln University in New Zealand > The Origin and Significance of Road Side Crosses as Elements of the > Landscape of Remembrance > The practice of erecting roadside crosses in memory of road accident > victims has escalated in New Zealand in recent years. Although there > is some belief that the concept developed in Italy, it is largely a > New Zealand phenomenon. The appearance of roadside crosses has > transformed the landscape in parts of New Zealand, and demonstrates > the desire for a visible expression of grief. There are a number of > issues associated with the roadside crosses that have implications for > our experience of the landscape - extending from the issue of safety > (will the crosses provide a visual distraction for other motorists?), > to the perceptual ownership of the landscape (what rights do > individuals have to erect memorials in public places?). . > > Also from a different site: > Various states have developed policies about these markers: > > *California and Florida ban them outright. > *Texas has allowed them at sites of fatal car accidents but only where > alcohol was a factor. However, in 2000-APR the state Department of > Transportation determined that they are unconstitutional and is > considering having them removed. > *Montana allows the American Legion to erect crosses at the site of > fatal accidents. [We wonder whether the Legion checks first to make > certain that the deceased was a Christian.] > *Florida attempted to remain within constitutional bounds by adopting > a Red Cross symbol in 1997. This has since been replaced by a circular > placard displaying the words "Drive Safely." > *Oregon currently permits families to install signs at fatal vehicle > accident sites where alcohol was a factor. The state charges $500. > > Finally, this website has some information and some links: > http://members.tripod.com/jwhiting/roadside.html > > Keni Sturgeon > Jensen Arctic Museum > Monmouth, OR > > ========================================================= > Important Subscriber Information: > > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at > http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed > information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail > message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message > should read "help" (without the quotes). > > If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message > to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read > "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). > ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).