The waysides are a long-time dream of City Historian Judge David Duggan. However, funding and interest for the project never seemed to be on the forefront until the City’s Centennial. The Centennial budget provided funding for historical monuments but not enough to do it justice and cover all the areas Duggan wanted to encompass. 

Enter Arconic and the Arconic Foundation.  Who better to assist with such an undertaking than the company whose roots founded the City? Thus, with additional monies provided through an Arconic Foundation community enhancement grant, the project was able to come to realization. With the funding in place, the hunt was on for a vendor. After completing the City’s bid process, Pannier Graphics was chosen for the project. Pannier, known for its high-quality durable products and reputation, provides most of the signage and exhibits for the National Park Service. Its products can be viewed in several museums, parks, aquariums, and interpretive exhibits. Duggan wrote the text and chose the images for each of the 19 exhibits designated for various historic sites around the City.  By definition, a wayside is the side of or land adjacent to a road or path. Where possible, the City’s wayside exhibits are placed near or along the greenway trail where an event or structure of historic significance once happened or stood. Each recounts and preserves the story of Alcoa the city, and ALCOA (Arconic Corp.), the company. (Click here for the complete story)