What is the Explore Here app?

Explore Here is an application for both iPhone and Android. And I love it! When I decided I was going to transition this blog from a hobby to my business blog, it was important for me to focus on affiliate marketing.

What I needed: affiliate partnerships I believed in and could promote with passion.

Not only will you find historical markers (and I'm sharing my three favorite ways to use the app), but when you open it from anywhere... you'll know what NATIVE LAND you're on. That drew me in from the get-go.

The truth is, using Explore Here to find history matches up to the mission statement and just about every category on this blog.

Necessary disclaimer: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share; it does not change your price but sometimes you might get a discount.

RELATED: Read more on my partnerships here.

First way to use the Explore Here app to find history: stop without slamming your brakes.

You know how you KNOW there's an historical marker somewhere but you never seem to be able to stop for it because it's on a fast road or comes up suddenly?

Problem solved.

Using the Explore Here app, you can you search specific markers (or use the map and scroll the area on your phone!) and press down on the marker details to OPEN DIRECTLY on Apple or Google maps.

Yes, you read that right. The coordinates will open right into you map apps.

This is something I'm using the next time I head from Williamsburg towards New Kent, Virginia. I'm pulling it up and popping in the coordinates for Doncastle's Ordinary, saved on the app.

Why Doncastle's Ordinary? It's where Patrick Henry and his followers were camped on the way to Williamsburg after Lord Dunmore stole the gunpowder from the Magazine. At this spot, word was received that Dunmore agreed to pay for the gunpowder.

RELATED: Read about the gunpowder incident here.

Magazine in Williamsburg, Virginia- reconstructed.

Second way to use the Explore Here app to find history: uncover more info on your chosen topic.

After reading Patrick Henry's Virginia by Mark Couvillon, which I have marked to visit a ton of places, I specifically look up historical markers on Explore Here.

Using Explore Here's Pro Version, I can search for specific markers and save them. That way I have the coordinates ready to pop into my maps app when I know I'll be in the vicinity of the marker.

Example: I used it to find the historical marker and actual location of Fork Church. Fork Church is just east of Patrick Henry's Scotchtown, where he resided during the Revolutionary War era. It's where his wife lived during her illness, and where she tragically passed away during pivotal years in Henry's life.

RELATED: Buy Couvillon's book here and read my Scotchtown post here.

Passage about Fork Church in Couvillon's book

Third way to use the Explore Here app to find history: discover NEW stuff in places you'd never notice.

This especially applies in more "built up" areas. The example that sticks out the most to me from a recent experience is Lt. General "Chesty" Puller's historical marker.

I was headed to the Historical Society of West Point and, as always, I use the Pro Version of Explore Here to navigate my way to an historical marker near my destination. I'll be honest, I'd never have 1) specifically looked up history this recent in our shared American history or 2) found this on accident.

1) I mostly focus on early United States history of the 17th and 18th century, especially related to the original 13 colonies.

2) I rarely (like you I imagine) wander into busy parking lots behind donation dumpsters to find an historical marker.

I admit, if you happen to walking along the busy road past the Dollar Store and McDonald's shared parking lot, or donating clothes into the dumpster, you may notice Lt. General Puller's marker. However, neither of these applied to me for my visit to West Point, Virginia.

This is yet another priceless bit of history I discovered, 100% because of having the Pro Version of Explore Here on my iPhone.

And yes, there are markers from all over the United States on this app... and get this: they've added:

• "tours" so you can focus your road trip
• audio so you can grab a little bit of info in advance or on your way

Lt. General "Chesty" Puller's marker in West Point, Virginia.

Call to action.

All of the above (and more!) is why I support and chose to partner with Explore Here. So here it is y'all: my call to action in 3 steps:

1. Download the Explore Here app through my link by clicking here.
2. Use my code of "FIND HISTORY" to give me credit and get treated extra-special.
3. Buy the super-ridiculously affordable Pro Version.

Partnership between this blog and Explore Here

Closing words from history.

Jefferson's letter to Benjamin Rush about getting started on the famous exploration by Lewis and Clark. The opening and an excerpt about the need for preparation in determining specific objects to observe on the journey.

Read the letter, with citations and notes, in full here.

From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 28 February 1803

.....

... he has qualified himself for those observations of longitude & latitude necessary to fix the points of the line he will go over. it would be very useful to state for him those objects on which it is most desireable he should bring us information. for this purpose I ask the favor of you to prepare some notes of such particulars as may occur in his journey & which you think should draw his attention & enquiry. he will be in Philadelphia about 2. or 3 weeks hence & will wait on you.