I actually recently read a study about these that I believe was originally a master's thesis: "Roadside Crosses in Contemporary Memorial Culture" by Holly Everett, published by University of North Texas Press, 2002. It gives some background to the topic as well as a case study. We don't see a lot of them around here, but there is one just outside town (Manhattan, Kansas) from an accident a couple years ago. It is actively maintained and changes configuration every few months. Donna Roper >===== Original Message From Museum discussion list <[log in to unmask]> ===== >I thought I heard that someone was writing their dissertation about this >practice from a public art perspective...we see it all the time in the >Midwest too. > >Julia Muney Moore >Director of Exhibitions and Artist Services >Indianapolis Art Center >820 E. 67th St. >Indianapolis, IN 46220 >(317) 255-2464 x233 >FAX (317) 254-0486 >email <[log in to unmask]> >website <http://www.indplsartcenter.org> > > >-----Original Message----- >From: Keni Sturgeon [mailto:[log in to unmask]] >Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2003 12:48 PM >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: Memorials > > >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). > >========================================================= >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).