Sidney J. Walsh was born Jan. 26, 1900 in New York City and moved to California as a child. He moved to Olympia, WA in 1931 and began work for the Dept. of Highways. In 1934 Walsh was made the head of the newly formed statewide landscape division of the Dept. of Highways. In this capacity, he was responsible for the creation and continuing development of the historical marker program of the Dept. of Highways. Under his direction 49 historical markers were erected on historical sites adjacent to state highways and dozens were studied for possible markings. After the establishment of the Washington State Historic Sites and Markers Commission, Walsh continued to work with the program. Walsh retired from the Dept. in 1970. He had been a lifetime member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and a member of the Capitol Wood Carvers. He passed away on May 17, 1982 and was buried at the Grand Mound Cemetery.
Before the 1930's historical societies, patriotic societies and pioneer associations, especially the Washington State Historical Society and the Washington State Society of the Daughter of the American Revolution, were responsible for practically all of the markers and monuments commemorating historical people of events. Over the years the Washington State Dept. of Highways carried on a considerable correspondence with individuals and organization requesting information about historic or proposed historic sites. In 1938 the Dept. entered into its own program of marking important historic sites, and in cooperation with a State W.P.A. project to construct historical markers in Washington undertook placing twenty-three uniform rustic-type markers at historic locations adjacent to state roads. The markers were made by W.P.A. workers and were erected by highway maintenance crews. In 1949 the Washington State Legislature provided for establishment of the Washington State Historic Sites and Markers Commission. It was given the responsibility of determining the sites to be marked, selecting appropriate brief texts describing the historical events and choosing the approximate location of the markers. To the Dept. of Highways was assigned the responsibility to furnish the markers, prepare the sites, provide necessary access, and erect the markers. Walsh worked with the Commission until it was abolished in 1967. Walsh retired in 1970.
From the description of Sidney Walsh's historical marker collection of Washington State markers, 1938-1966. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 388211496
