Object description

The Rose Island Concrete Monument is a historic commemorative marker on Rose Island, part of Rose Atoll, a remote island located in the far eastern reaches of the territorial waters of American Samoa. The marker is a concrete structure in the shape of a truncated pyramid with a rectangular cross-section. It is 1.53 metres wide, 1.59 metres high, and 0.74 metres deep. On the west side of the marker is raised lettering stating "ROSE ISLAND / AMERICAN SAMOA / TRESPASSING PROHIBITED / WARREN J. TERHUNE / JAN 10 1920 GOVERNOR". A brass plaque on the opposite side of the monument conveys a similar message. The monument was placed in 1920 by the order of Naval Governor Warren J. Terhune during a tour he made of all of the islands of the territory of American Samoa, and serves as a continuing reminder of the American claim to the atoll.