Growing up in the Deep South, in Alabama and North Florida, I used to
see these white crosses all the time. Just plain white crosses, about
three feet tall. No decorations, no words, just the crosses. I was gone
from Alabama for 30 years essentially, and now that I am back, I note
that the larger white crosses - which way back were uniform in size and
color no matter where you were - are no longer there, and in their place
are small crosses of different colors, often decorated and draped with
garlands of flowers. And whereas the white crosses were simply stuck in
the ground and left, current practice seems to be to clear the round
around the crosses and place memorial items there as well. I suspect -
mainly because of the uniformity of the crosses all over the state -
that in the old days the crosses were placed by the state, but as times
changed, everyone including government agencies, got caught up in
political and religious "correctness" the state stopped doing that, and
that private groups now carry the tradition forward.

I appreciate the practice myself.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL driver

McNearney, Clayton wrote:

>Since many list members travel extensively I thought that this request
>was appropriate.  I am involved in a research project on roadside
>memorials, i.e., the white crosses and other items placed at the site of
>a fatal accident.  I would appreciate your comments and reflections on
>these.  Are they found in some states more than others? Do you notice
>them?  How old is this custom? If you have comments on these and similar
>questions please send them to me off list.  I would very much like your
>help in identifying and contacting people who have themselves
>participated in the construction of such memorials or who have friends
>or family so memorialized.  My contact information is:  Clayton L.
>McNearney, Department of Religious Studies, Marshall University,
>Huntington, West Virginia.  mcnearne@marshall.edu, Phone is (304)696
>4641   Thanks.
>
>
>