California Landmark Project

The Golden State is a remarkable state with some amazing and significant historical sites.  This project will have you becoming an expert on one historical site in California, and you will be sharing your expertise with your class.

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to expose students to California Historical Sites.

Project Requirements:

• Research a California Land Mark.
• Create a poster board of your research including pictures using all the information you gathered.
• Share the poster board of your Land Mark with you as a tour guide.

Assignment Details

1. Pick your historical site:  Use the provided list or visit donaldlaird.com/landmarks
2. Research your site. Take notes and save them to help you with your project. Keep a record of where you found your information for your list of references on the back of your poster.
   1. What is the site?
   2. Where is it located?
   3. Who founded and/or used it?
   4. When was it first discovered/built?
   5. Why is it/why was it important to California History?Use photos and collect “artifacts” that you can use for your poster.

Design your poster. Use the thin poster board 28 x 22, so that we can hang it on the wall in the classroom easily. Include the following on your poster:

1. 1. Name of site with a picture/photo/graphic of it
   2. Historical Information on your site
   3. 5 facts about your site
   4. California map with the following labeled: Sacramento, your site, 3-5 other cities or landmarks
   5. Other photos/artifacts (maps, brochures, informational articles are displayed nicely in paper “pockets” so be creative)
   6. Reference list glued to the back of your poster

1. This project is due on __upon return to school___. Students will present their  poster over the following days after the due date.

California Historical Landmarks Choice List

The following places will also provide you with a list of California Historical Landmarks, some by county.  The list generated below is not an inclusive list.  Also try

• Wikipedia—search “California Historical Landmarks” for a list by county
• Google—search “California Historical Landmarks”
• California State Parks website
• donaldlaird.com/landmarks provides a list by county

Sample list of landmarks. If you prefer a local site, use one of the above sites to find a landmark. Pick one from this list or use the above websites to expand the list.  There may be no duplicates, so if you have a favorite, select it early!  Remember, some sites do not allow video-taping.  It is your responsibility to find out that information before you visit so you are prepared. 

Name                                                   

California Landmark Project Rubric

                                Landmark  (5 points)

                                Where is it located?  (5 points)

                                When was it first discovered or built?  (5 points)

                                Why was it discovered or built?  (5 points)

                                Who founded and/or used it? (5 points)

                                Why is the landmark important to California History? (10 points)

                                Historical information (what life was like/who lived there/significance/what happened

there/is it still standing/is it in ruins, etc.  Information varies based on site.) (10 points)

                                5 interesting facts   (5 points)

                                California map with the following labeled: Sacramento, your site, 3-5 other cities or

landmarks near your landmark  (5 points)

                                Pockets containing maps/brochures/informational articles (5 points)

                                A variety of photos with details about the photo (10 points)

______                A typed reference list is attached to the back of your poster (websites or books you used for information)  (5 points)

Total Points  ________/ 75