Did you know that contractors in Corvallis have been stamping their names into sidewalks since the early 20th century?
As concrete became popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s, thousands of U.S. towns and cities began using it for new infrastructure. Contractors would often sign and date their work in the concrete – the custom was even required by law in Chicago.
In Corvallis, contractors have been stamping their names into sidewalks since 1908. Around the area, dates range from 1908 to 1938. According to Atlas Obscura, “these stamps provide a historic map of expansion into the outer areas of Corvallis.”
Sidewalk stamping is not unique to Corvallis, but residents have obviously taken pride in this quirky piece of history: tours often point out the stamps, and there’s even a website that features categorization of the stamps and a map of them and other historic markers in Corvallis.
If you want to see for yourself, check out the map and pay special attention to Harrison Boulevard, which is home to a lot of these sidewalk stamps.
By Cara Nixon
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