Historical Highlights

Preserving and Restoring Markers
in the Town of Sand Lake

The oldest roadside historical marker in the Town of Sand Lake dates from 1938. The remaining dozen or so markers all date from this (21st) century, but some of them are approaching 15-20 year of age and are beginning to show that age!

That 1938 marker is cast iron -- heavy, and prone to rusting over time. After some 80 years, it indeed shows a good bit of that rusting, as you'll see below.

All the other roadside markers are cast aluminum; they are lighter in weight, and aluminum doesn't rust. However, it can corrode, and you'll also see evidence of that on at least one of the "newer" markers.

Members of the Sand Lake Historical Society have decided to tackle the preservation and restoration of the "neediest" of our markers. Read on... [Click on images to enlarge them]

Trinity Lutheran Church

The marker in front of the former Trinity Lutheran Church (currently West Sand Lake Community Church) in West Sand Lake dates to 1938, when the (New York) State Education Department erected markers across the State. When the first photo here was taken in the early 2000s, the marker was in good shape, undoubtedly having been refinished a time or two since 1938.

The intervening years, though, have not been kind to this marker. Weather and, likely road salt used to keep roads passable in winter, have taken their toll, and the cast iron currently shows a fair bit of rust and paint deterioration (second photo). Fortunately, there appears to be little or no damage to the lettering and detail!

Follow our progress with the restoration of this sign!

Marker from 1938, seen in the early 2000s here.

.
The same marker in April 2022.

Bernhard Uhlein

Thankfully, this sign, being a bit further off the highway than some signs are, seems to have suffered little more than paint loss. Given that, refinishing should be a somewhat simpler matter.

Marker as seen in the early 2000s here.

The same marker in April 2022.

Sand Lake Union

The Sand Lake Union Cemetery sign has suffered a fair bit from the elements in its nearly 20 years. Most concerning is some surface pitting and deterioration of "detail" (lettering in particular) due to corrosion. This sign, located at a spot with significant traffic (and, therefore, much salting in winter), currently is receiving a thorough and careful chemical paint stripping and will be refinished.

Follow our progress with the restoration of this sign!

Marker as seen in the early 2000s here.

The same marker in April 2022.

Burden Lake

This sign is in fair shape, with much paint loss.

Marker as seen in the early 2000s here.

Closeup of marker in April 2022 showing much paint loss.

Glass Lake

This sign is in fair shape, with mostly paint flaking.

Marker as seen in the early 2000s here.

Closeup of marker in April 2022 showing mostly paint flaking.

Sand Lake Baptist Church

This sign is in fair shape, with mostly paint flaking.

Marker as seen in 2004.

Closeup of marker in April 2022 showing mostly paint flaking.

Faith Mills

This sign is in generally good shape, having been repainted in 2020.

Marker as seen in 2005 and still in good shape in 2022,
after one repainting.

Log Church Site, 1776

This sign is in fair shape, with mostly paint fading and flaking.

Marker as seen in 2007.

Closeup of marker in April 2022 showing mostly
paint fading and flaking.

Town Garage

This wall-mounted commemorative bronze plaque is generally in good condition for being nearly 90 years old and should respond to a good, careful cleaning!