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Undid revision 819670347 by Anmccaff (talk) Not in cited source and most sources say, "It was quietly removed by city officials four years ago and now rests in a cemetery shed there," as did NYTime
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==Vancouver, Washington marker stone==
==Vancouver, Washington marker stone==
[[File:Jefferson Davis Park 08.jpg|thumb|Jefferson Davis Highway, Vancouver marker stone]]
[[File:Jefferson Davis Park 08.jpg|thumb|Jefferson Davis Highway, Vancouver marker stone]]
In 1998, a city of Vancouver official quietly removed the marker of the Jefferson Davis Highway and had it placed in a cemetery shed, in an action that four years later became controversial.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/14/us/road-named-for-jefferson-davis-stirs-spirited-debate.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss#|title=Road Named for Jefferson Davis Stirs Spirited Debate|accessdate=May 8, 2009|work=The New York Times|date=February 14, 2002|quote=Another granite marker proclaiming the road's designation as the Jefferson Davis Highway was erected at the time in Vancouver, Wash., at the highway's southern terminus. It was quietly removed by city officials four years ago and now rests in a cemetery shed there, but publicity over the bill has brought its mothballing to light and stirred a contentious debate there about whether it should be restored.|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111223529/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/14/us/road-named-for-jefferson-davis-stirs-spirited-debate.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss|archivedate=January 11, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The marker was subsequently moved twice, and eventually was placed alongside Interstate 5 on private land purchased for the purpose of giving the marker a permanent home. One of those moves included an installation at the Clark County Historical Museum in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scvportland.org/jdp_park.html|title=History of the Jefferson Davis Park|accessdate=October 30, 2008|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828062427/http://www.scvportland.org/jdp_park.html|archivedate=August 28, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scvportland.org/jdp_index.html|title=Jefferson Davis Park|accessdate=October 30, 2008|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723181731/http://www.scvportland.org/jdp_index.html|archivedate=July 23, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Also in 2002, a petition for its inclusion on the county's historical register was approved. The petition was then re-approved by the commission in 2007, when it moved to its current site. A decision was made by the preservation commission on October 3, 2017, to remove the marker from the historical register.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thereflector.com/news/article_2af35a16-ad35-11e7-a067-43ff7ebcde80.html|title=Confederate monument taken off county historic register|work=The Reflector|last=Bannan|first=Rick|date=October 9, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010011935/http://www.thereflector.com/news/article_2af35a16-ad35-11e7-a067-43ff7ebcde80.html|archivedate=October 10, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
In 1998, an unelected city of Vancouver official surreptitiously removed the marker of the Jefferson Davis Highway and had it placed in a cemetery shed, in an action that four years later became controversial.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/14/us/road-named-for-jefferson-davis-stirs-spirited-debate.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss#|title=Road Named for Jefferson Davis Stirs Spirited Debate|accessdate=May 8, 2009|work=The New York Times|date=February 14, 2002|quote=Another granite marker proclaiming the road's designation as the Jefferson Davis Highway was erected at the time in Vancouver, Wash., at the highway's southern terminus. It was quietly removed by city officials four years ago and now rests in a cemetery shed there, but publicity over the bill has brought its mothballing to light and stirred a contentious debate there about whether it should be restored.|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111223529/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/14/us/road-named-for-jefferson-davis-stirs-spirited-debate.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss|archivedate=January 11, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The marker was subsequently moved twice, and eventually was placed alongside Interstate 5 on private land purchased for the purpose of giving the marker a permanent home. One of those moves included an installation at the Clark County Historical Museum in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scvportland.org/jdp_park.html|title=History of the Jefferson Davis Park|accessdate=October 30, 2008|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828062427/http://www.scvportland.org/jdp_park.html|archivedate=August 28, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scvportland.org/jdp_index.html|title=Jefferson Davis Park|accessdate=October 30, 2008|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723181731/http://www.scvportland.org/jdp_index.html|archivedate=July 23, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Also in 2002, a petition for its inclusion on the county's historical register was approved. The petition was then re-approved by the commission in 2007, when it moved to its current site. A decision was made by the preservation commission on October 3, 2017, to remove the marker from the historical register.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thereflector.com/news/article_2af35a16-ad35-11e7-a067-43ff7ebcde80.html|title=Confederate monument taken off county historic register|work=The Reflector|last=Bannan|first=Rick|date=October 9, 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010011935/http://www.thereflector.com/news/article_2af35a16-ad35-11e7-a067-43ff7ebcde80.html|archivedate=October 10, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


==Blaine, Washington marker stone==
==Blaine, Washington marker stone==

Revision as of 17:42, 10 January 2018

Jefferson Davis Park, as seen from the interstate, note the addition of the Blaine marker stone to the right

Jefferson Davis Park is a private park located outside Ridgefield, Washington, in the southwestern portion of the state. The granite markers of the unofficial Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway are at the center of the park surrounded by Confederate flags, intended as "a pleasant and honorable tribute" to Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederate States of America.[1]

Sign for the park as seen months after the August 2017 vandalism

The park has been operated by the Pacific Northwest chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans since 2007, with the group stating on Facebook,"We are a Confederate Veterans heritage organization, who's [sic] main purpose is to honor and defend the Confederate Soldiers good name and make sure that the true history of the South is presented to future generations."[2] In the aftermath of the white nationalist Unite the Right rally in August 2017, the markers have been vandalized and face renewed calls for removal, as Confederate monuments became increasingly controversial.[1][3]

History of the park

Memorial markers at the park

When the Northwest Chapter of Sons of Confederate Veterans failed to keep the Vancouver, Washington marker stone on public property in 2006, they purchased a plot of private land adjacent to the city of Ridgefield, Washington just off the busy Interstate 5 for $15,000 in 2007.[4][5] Three flags of the Confederate States of America fly at "Jefferson Davis Park"; two versions of the Confederate States flags and the unofficial Bonnie Blue flag, frame the Vancouver stone markers honoring Jefferson Davis, president of the Confederacy.[6][7] The opening dedication was in April, 2008, with a large stone plaque in front of the Vancouver highway marker stone, and the several versions of the Confederate flag flying over the marker stones.[8][9]

The efforts to remove the other stone marker from Blaine, Washington, began in 2002 through the efforts of State Representative Hans Dunshee, after it was discovered that the highway was never officially designated to memorialize Davis by the State.[10] This stone later was relocated to the park and is still there.[11]

Jefferson Davis Highway markers

Main article: Jefferson Davis Highway

In 1913, the Daughters of the Confederacy began a project of dedicating a route across the southern United States as "Jefferson Davis Highway" and this was later extended to include Highway 99, running up and down the West Coast.[12] Stone markers at both ends of Highway 99 designating the Jefferson Davis Highway were erected in 1940 by the Daughters of the Confederacy, with unofficial State approval.[13][14] The marker stones were removed from public land, and their legacy was in question until the Sons of the Confederacy found a permanent, privately owned location to display them.[15]

In March 2016, the Washington State Legislature unanimously passed a joint memorial that asked the state transportation commission to designate the road as the "William P. Stewart Memorial Highway" to honor an African-American volunteer during the Civil War who later became a pioneer of the town and city of Snohomish.[16] In May 2016, the transportation commission agreed to the renaming.[17]

Vancouver, Washington marker stone

Jefferson Davis Highway, Vancouver marker stone

In 1998, an unelected city of Vancouver official surreptitiously removed the marker of the Jefferson Davis Highway and had it placed in a cemetery shed, in an action that four years later became controversial.[14] The marker was subsequently moved twice, and eventually was placed alongside Interstate 5 on private land purchased for the purpose of giving the marker a permanent home. One of those moves included an installation at the Clark County Historical Museum in 2002.[18][19] Also in 2002, a petition for its inclusion on the county's historical register was approved. The petition was then re-approved by the commission in 2007, when it moved to its current site. A decision was made by the preservation commission on October 3, 2017, to remove the marker from the historical register.[20]

Blaine, Washington marker stone

Jefferson Davis Highway, Blaine marker stone

The marker stone in Blaine, Washington was removed in 2002 through the efforts of State Representative Hans Dunshee and city officials, after it was discovered that the highway was never officially designated to memorialize Davis by the state.[10] Both markers now rest in the Sons of Confederate Veterans owned "Jefferson Davis Park" in Ridgefield.[21] In 2002, the Washington House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill that would have removed Davis' name from the road. A Senate committee subsequently killed the proposal.[22]

Controversy and calls for removal

In 2002, this controversy had made national news as State Representative Dunshee proposing the renaming, while Representative Thomas M. Mielke opposing it.[14] This disagreement over the marker stones would not be settled until 2016.[23] Within months of the park's dedication in the Spring of 2008, the park was vandalized when the billboard was torn down and thrown into a local creek.[24]

Calls for the removal of the flags began in 2015, after the Charleston church shooting, by Rev. Marva Edwards, the president of Vancouver's NAACP organization.[2][25] Even though the markers and flags are located on on private property, the prominent location and events in other parts of the nation still make these symbols the local focus of strong emotions, especially in the aftermath of the white nationalist Unite the Right rally in August 2017.[26][27] On August 17, 2017 the stones were vandalized, with one marker covered in black paint, the other in red. Local Portland antifa activists took credit for the vandalism.[1][28] The local Division Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, spoke of bringing in private security,[29] as they claim to have received death threats over the monuments.[30]

The nearby town of Ridgefield had no historical connections with the Confederacy or Jefferson Davis, in fact it was originally named 'Union Ridge' for the large number of the Union soldiers who settled the area; but as Mayor Ron Onslow explained, "We get calls about it every time the Confederacy comes up". The site known as Jefferson Davis Park has a Ridgefield address, "It's not in our city, so we have no say over it. We're not against history, but there is no history of this in Ridgefield", Onslow said in requesting the site be removed from the Clark County historical register.[31] The City of Ridgefield officially asked Clark County Historic Preservation Commission to remover the highway markers from its local heritage list on October 2, 2017, with all six commissioners in attendance voting to remove the granite highway marker.[32][33]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Brown, Doug (August 18, 2017). "Portland Antifa Deface Confederate Monument in Clark County". The Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on October 29, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b "Vancouver NAACP leaders call for Confederate flags flying near I-5 to be taken down". FOX 12 news. June 23, 2015. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Matsumoto, Samantha (August 18, 2017). "Antifa defaces Confederate monument in Jefferson Davis Park". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "The story behind the Confederate flags on I-5, just north of Portland". OregonLive.com. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  5. ^ "Confederate Monument". Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Confederate Monument". Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "The story behind the Confederate flags on I-5, just north of Portland". OregonLive.com. Retrieved December 2, 2017.
  8. ^ Hague, Euan (April 2015). "Why the Confederacy Lives". Politico Magazine. Archived from the original on August 2, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ McNamara, Neal (August 15, 2017). "A Confederate Flag Flies In Washington, And Its Caretaker Explains Why". Seattle Patch.
  10. ^ a b Berger, Knute (June 22, 2015). "Confederate symbols also blight the Northwest". Crosscut. Archived from the original on August 18, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "Confederate Monument". Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ Weingroff, Richard F. (April 7, 2011). "Jefferson Davis Memorial Highway". Highway History. Federal Highway Administration, United States Department of Transportation. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved September 29, 2011. {{cite web}}: External link in |series= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ Ray, Susanna (January 24, 2002). "Jefferson Davis Highway here? Legislator outraged". HeraldNet. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ a b c "Road Named for Jefferson Davis Stirs Spirited Debate". The New York Times. February 14, 2002. Archived from the original on January 11, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2009. Another granite marker proclaiming the road's designation as the Jefferson Davis Highway was erected at the time in Vancouver, Wash., at the highway's southern terminus. It was quietly removed by city officials four years ago and now rests in a cemetery shed there, but publicity over the bill has brought its mothballing to light and stirred a contentious debate there about whether it should be restored. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ Duin, Steve (August 16, 2017). "The story behind the Confederate flags on I-5, just north of Portland". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on June 9, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ (1) "House Joint Memorial 4010: As Amended by the Senate" (PDF). 64th Legislature: 2016 Regular Session. Washington State Legislature. March 8, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
    (2) "History of the Bill as of Tuesday, September 20, 2016". HJM 4010 - 2015-16: Requesting that state route number 99 be named the "William P. Stewart Memorial Highway". Washington State Legislature. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
    (3) "Stewart, William P. (1839–1907)". African American History in the American West: Online Encyclopedia of Significant People and Places. BlackPast.org. 2015. Archived from the original on April 4, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  17. ^ (1) Cornfield, Jerry (May 17, 2016). "SR 99 to be renamed for Snohomish black Civil War soldier". HeraldNet. Everett, Washington: Everett Herald and Sound Publishing, Inc. Archived from the original on June 9, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2016. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
    (2) Muhlstein, Julie (May 21, 2016). "Highway 99 renamed in honor of Snohomish settler William P. Stewart". HeraldNet. Everett, Washington: Everett Herald and Sound Publishing, Inc. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2016. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  18. ^ "History of the Jefferson Davis Park". Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved October 30, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "Jefferson Davis Park". Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved October 30, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Bannan, Rick (October 9, 2017). "Confederate monument taken off county historic register". The Reflector. Archived from the original on October 10, 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ "Jefferson Davis Park". Sons of Confederate Veterans Pacific NW Division. June 27, 2014. Archived from the original on August 20, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Senate Committee Kills Plan To Rename Jefferson Davis Highway". KOMOnews.com. Seattle, Washington: Sinclair Interactive Media. August 30, 2006. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ (1) Cornfield, Jerry (May 17, 2016). "SR 99 to be renamed for Snohomish black Civil War soldier". HeraldNet. Everett, Washington: Everett Herald and Sound Publishing, Inc. Archived from the original on June 9, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2016. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
    (2)Muhlstein, Julie (May 21, 2016). "Highway 99 renamed in honor of Snohomish settler William P. Stewart". HeraldNet. Everett, Washington: Everett Herald and Sound Publishing, Inc. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 20, 2016. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  24. ^ Hewitt, Scott (June 23, 2017). "Ridgefield Confederate flag 'sends a message,' black leader says". The Columbian. Archived from the original on August 19, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ Hewitt, Scott (June 23, 2017). "Ridgefield Confederate flag 'sends a message,' black leader says". The Columbian. Archived from the original on August 19, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Wilson, Jamie (August 16, 2015). "Some calling for removal of Confederate flag at Ridgefield park". Fox12 News. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Westneat, Danny (June 24, 2015). "Confederate flag is flying here, too, along I-5". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on May 27, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ Littman, Adam (August 18, 2017). "Confederate monuments in Ridgefield defaced". The Columbian. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ Viydo, Taylor (August 16, 2017). "Group concerned about vandalism, future of Confederate park". KGW news. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ Horcher, Gary (August 16, 2017). "Washington State Confederate monuments face controversy, again". KIRO 7 news. Archived from the original on August 20, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ Vogt, Tom (September 29, 2017). "Ridgefield Wants Jefferson Davis Highway Markers Off Register". The Columbian.
  32. ^ Solomon, Molly (October 4, 2017). "Clark County Removes Confederate Monument From Historic Registry". KUOW News. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ Vogt, Tom (October 3, 2017). "Commission votes to remove Davis marker from register". Archived from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

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