Four Walks of Fame You May Not Know [Part II]

As we mentioned in our last Walk of Fame blog post, there are many walks of fame installed across the country and abroad. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is definitely one of the better known tribute walks, but it is certainly not the only walk of fame of its kind. As a studio that produces many walk of fame installations, we have found that material plays a major role in the success of these trails, especially after years of heavy foot traffic and changing weather have tried to leave their mark on these exterior walks

AUSTRALIAN SURFING WALK OF FAME & FILM WALK OF FAME

RANDWICK, AUSTRALIA

walks past the Surfing Walk of Fame at Maroubra. Picture: John Appleyard

The Hollywood Style Walk of Fame craze has even made its way around the globe to Australia. With nationally recognized footpath tributes honoring Australian legends of the sea and screen, we learned in an article in the Daily Telegraph that the City Council in Randwick was attempting to install a third walk to celebrate sporting heroes as well!

We love the way the bronze medallions appear to float on the sand-colored paving. Although this walk of fame was not created by Masterwork Plaques, we agree that bronze is one of the best materials for series that are placed underfoot, as not many other materials can hold up to heavy foot traffic, not to mention salt water and sand.

SANTA FE ARTIST'S WALK

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

Created by sculptor Vladin Stiha in 1985 these eighteen commemorative plaques embedded in the sidewalk reference artists that were active in the Santa Fe region. Each bronze relief plaque honors a separate artist or writer and includes their life dates, a Christian cross and a Spanish conquistador. The walk has been continued in recent years with additional noted Santa Fe artists.

NASHVILLE'S MUSIC CITY WALK OF FAME

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Mandrell’s damaged walk of fame plaque.

A major attraction for music fans and tourists alike, inductees at the Music City Walk of Fame are honored with permanent sidewalk medallions with the musician’s name displayed in a star-and-guitar design. Past recipients include Jimi Hendrix, Emmylou Harris and Jack White.

If you think musicians have a tough time starting out, this walk of fame went through a comparably difficult journey in its early years as reported by WSMV: The Walk of Fame is just four years old, but has had numerous problems. "We've had trucks. We've had skate boarders. We've had weather. There's not much that hasn't impacted the project," said president of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau. Tourists say that they are disappointed by the conditions found at the Walk of Fame and that it sends the wrong message "That tourists aren't really that important," said one visitor in the article. "It's kind of disrespectful to the artists that do get messed up that they aren't that important," said another. The celebrity stars are funded by private dollars and at the time of the article replacements in concrete and stone were planned.

This walk of fame project is a good example of the importance of material.  Granite is a very durable stone, but can be susceptible to chipping and cracks, especially if a significant amount of weight is overloaded onto the work.  We would exclusively recommend bronze for this type of tribute walk.

Three Walks of Fame You May Not Know [Part 1]

The Hollywood Walk of Stars may be the most famous embedded tribute trail, but it is certainly not the only walk of fame of its kind. In fact, many cities, institutions and community groups across the country have installed their own permanent sidewalk medallions.  Other countries have their share of footpath tributes, too.  From a studio that prides itself in the fabrication of bronze walk of fame installations, here are some Walks of Fame that you might not know of:

FARGO WALK OF FAME

FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA

Started by a local businessman after a visit to LA’s Hollywood Walk of Stars, visiting celebrities were asked for their hand and footprints.  Roadside America says, “Any walk of fame that draws no distinction between George W. Bush and Jimmy "J.J." Walker is worth a visit. Remember, if global warming drowns our coastal cities and destroys civilization as we know it, future generations will rely on the Fargo Walk of Fame to teach them who was important in our time.”

MISS AMERICA ROSE WALK

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY

The Miss America walk was one of the first bronze imbedded quote projects I saw on the East Coast in the 1990’s.  Today, I wonder what has become of the strangely appealing walk which featured quotes from the annual reigning Miss Americas.  The quotes presented on the plaques gave more than a glimpse into the pageant, they served as a timeline of cultural history - what was important in each era was spoken in the rhetoric of the time. - Jennifer Andrews, President of Masterwork Plaques

Mary Ann Mobley Rose Walk panel [/caption]

An article by the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the collection of bronze plaques featuring Miss America Quotes embedded in the sidewalk are part of the “clutter that's left over after a bad relationship” after the beauty pageant dumped Atlantic City for Las Vegas.  "I just don't understand why, in a town that was brought so much by the pageant, people are willing to just forget such a legendary piece of Atlantic City history," said Robert Marks, whose late father, Albert A. Marks Jr., was chairman and executive producer of the Miss America Pageant for twenty-five years.  "Do we forget the Rat Pack when we talk about Atlantic City history and remove Frank, Dean and Sammy from everything just because they eventually moved to Las Vegas? That pageant kept this town alive during some lean times. She deserves more respect than that.”

THIS RAISES AN INTERESTING QUESTION:

WHAT DETERMINES WHETHER A WALK OF FAME WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME?

CANADA WALK OF FAME

TORONTO, CANADA

Gordie Howe's star on the Walk of Fame as of April 2009. Damage can be seen on the bottom left corner

One reason we suspect certain walks of fame can remain for later generations is based on their material. Fame trails are not only in the United States, and they’re also not only made of bronze. In Canada, specially commissioned insets to recipients such as John Candy and Shania Twain have become a popular tourist attraction in Toronto, and the Canada’s Walk of Fame announcements are the number one Canadian recognition event.

Although the permanent tribute plaques have been a hit with the public, they certainly haven’t been a hit with the project’s maintenance department. Faced with harsh weather conditions, the inset granite panels have chipped and worn significantly and have needed frequent replacement. Bronze’s longevity underfoot is one of the reasons we recommend it to our clients over granite when planning similar projects.

Can't get enough Walks of Fame?  Check out PART TWO of WALKS OF FAME YOU MAY NOT KNOW