The Gerrymander
Near this site stood the home of
state senator Israel Thorndike, a
merchant and privateers. During
a visit here in 1812 by Governor
Elbridge Gerry, an electoral
district was oddly redrawn to
provide advantage to the party
in office.
Shaped by political intent rather than any natural
boundaries, its appearance resembled a salamander.
A frustrated member of the opposition party called it
a gerrymander, a term still in use today.
Submitted by @jikamens and @sethlkap.