Have you ever stopped to read a bronze plaque on the side of a dusty road or a brick building?
If you live in California, chances are you’ve stood in front of a site preserved by the Native Sons of the Golden West (NSGW). Since 1890—when the organization placed the state’s first marker at the site of the gold discovery in Coloma—the NSGW has been the unofficial steward of California’s memory.
For the Native Sons, these markers are more than just historical facts on a wall; they are a "landscape of memory." From the Bear Flag Monument in Sonoma to the Pioneer Monument at Donner Pass, these sites connect us to the seminal figures and events that shaped the "Golden State."
Fun Fact: You might have even seen an NSGW plaque on the big screen! One of their markers is featured in the original The Karate Kid on the side of Daniel LaRusso’s school.
When a new plaque is dedicated, it isn't just screwed into a wall. The NSGW follows a unique tradition where participants mix a small amount of concrete using materials gathered from across the entire state. This symbolizes the unity of California's history.
Recently, this tradition continued with the dedication of the Rae House Museum in Galt and the Capetown School House in Humboldt County.
The organization is currently on a mission to catalog every single marker they’ve placed over the last 150 years. Because many early markers were placed by local "Parlors" (chapters) without formal central records, they are asking for the public's help to find “lost” markers.
How you can help:
Do you know of a local site that deserves a plaque? The landmark program is a collaborative effort. Whether it's an old schoolhouse, a pioneer cemetery, or a site of cultural significance, the NSGW continues to partner with local communities to ensure these stories are never forgotten.