Orson kept his enthusiasm towards the profession and his love for astronomy. Base and Meridian The initial point for the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) was chosen to be the southeast corner of Temple Square. This point was not intended by Orson to be the initial point of the PLSS; rather, he intended it to be the starting point of the lots in Great Salt Lake City. The United States government appointed David H. Burr to be Utah Territories’ first General Surveyor. Burr arrived in Salt Lake on July 27, 1855, and upon his arrival, he was to establish the initial point for the PLSS. Instead of setting his own monument, Burr took advantage of an established corner that the public was using. In September of 1855, Burr paid a wellknown stonecutter by the name of Benjamin T. Mitchell to make a sandstone monument that he placed to mark this initial point. Burr then began contracting surveyors to begin the PLSS system in the Utah Territory. Pratts Observatory In 1869, George W. Dean and F. H. Agnes were sent to Salt Lake City to get a precise latitude and longitude of the city to help establish the exact time for many of the main cities in the west. Dean asked Brigham Young if he would help them establish an observatory so that they could accomplish their work. Brigham Young agreed to help Dean construct the observatory and even provided the funds for the construction. The building was named after Orson — Pratts Observatory. Today, Pratts Observatory has been moved; the building is located at This is the Place Museum in Salt Lake City. Conclusion Utah’s history of surveying is very complex and loaded with information, as well as rich with documented accounts from many individuals. Orson Pratt’s contribution is only a fraction of this history, but it is an essential part. His notes and journal entries are full of observations, calculations, and stories about his surveying experiences. He accomplished these great achievements using primitive equipment. Orson has contributed greatly to our heritage and is one of the great surveyors that helped shape our state and our country. A Base and Meridian monument has been erected to honor all of the work that has been done. It can be found on the southeast corner of Temple Square. UCLS Foresights 19
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