Sam Houston was an American statesman, military leader, and politician born on March 2, 1793, in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He was a key figure in the history of Texas and played a critical role in the state’s fight for independence from Mexico and its eventual admission to the United States.
Huey was known for his cheerful disposition and could often be found sitting on a cement wall at the corner of Acline and Main Streets, offering people the chance to rub his lucky rabbit’s foot for a nickel. He would then use the money to purchase cigars and bottled Coke from the nearby train depot. Huey claimed to have been born in 1873, making him 105 when he passed away in 1978.
Ronald McNair was an American physicist and astronaut born on October 21, 1950, in Lake City, South Carolina. He was a pioneering figure in the field of space exploration and was selected as a member of NASA’s first group of Space Shuttle astronauts in 1978.
Jennie Wade was the only civilian to be killed in the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War at only 22 years old. Jennie lost her life on July 3, 1863, while she was making biscuits in her sister’s kitchen, a Confederate bullet went through the door and hit her in the back, resulting in her immediate death.
Will Rogers was an American actor, humorist, and social commentator born on November 4, 1879, in Oologah, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). He was a widely popular and influential figure in the early 20th century and was widely regarded as one of the greatest wits of his time.
Hannah Duston was an American colonial woman born in Haverhill, Massachusetts in 1657. She is remembered for her role in the French and Indian War, in which she and her family were taken captive by Abenaki Native Americans. After several weeks in captivity, Duston managed to escape and killed ten of her captors, including women and children.
Fred Haise was an American astronaut and aeronautical engineer born on November 14, 1933, in Biloxi, Mississippi. He is best known for his role as the Lunar Module Pilot on the Apollo 13 mission, which was the third manned mission to land on the moon.
Presley died on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42. Despite his untimely death, he remains one of the best-selling music artists of all time and continues to influence popular culture and music to this day. He was posthumously inducted into several halls of fame, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
Baraga, a native of Slovenia, arrived in the United States in 1830 after fighting against Jansenism, despite opposition from his Bishop and other clergy. The story of his life is described in a booklet called “The Snowshoe Priest” available at the gift shop.
Norman Lane was a well-known figure in downtown Silver Spring. He always wore a hard hat, had a signature phrase “Don’t worry about it!”, and would give roses to women he encountered on the street and at the train station. He used the small change he received to buy Pall Mall cigarettes and Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.