Local history is a great medium. It's practical in hundreds of ways, and deeply meaningful to residents who either know, or take time to find out, about their cultural past. One of the best developments in local history has got to be marker systems along public trails. The one pictured here is in Anoka, Minnesota: the Akin Riverside Park, along the banks of the peaceful Rum River.

Pictured is the orientation marker, nearest the mouth on the Mississippi River. Smaller markers are placed in good spots at points further up the river, and toward downtown. What intrigues me about this system of markers is how focused on the story of the City of Anoka itself the text is from start to finish. Many times, great numbers of words go into breathless details about pre-historic, geologic, and other discplines. While that which came before the city is important, the orientation marker stays on target by only briefly recognizing what was in "Anoka" before Anoka. At the end of the text, the writer bravely delves into the city's new reality as a cog in the Twin Cities' metropolitan area. The writer seems to understand being broad and inclusive, without being watered down or cluttered. The other markers on industry, people, and natural disasters likewise stick to the experience of the city.

The system is so well done that visitors to the park even in sub-zero weather stop to soak in local history. That's the practical part of local history. Anoka seems populated with both long time residents and newer commuters. This park and its markers could go a long way toward giving residents with varied backgrounds a common history.

Photo courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society.