Is there a name for this building feature?

[6a]

Seen on buildings of some age, usually at the top middle, and mostly prominent.  Sometimes the origins are obvious, as the above is on Sullivant Ave. in Columbus, or you might see "1918" carved in concrete.  Some are less obvious, but might name a wife,



These have started to interest me, and short of driving around and stumbling upon them (which I might do anyway), I know little about this feature of buildings.  Is there a specific name for it?