Pub. 12 2017 Issue 1

www.ucls.org 30 Issue 1 2017 / UCLS Foresights History of the Monument: 1870: Under a General Land Office Contract dated August 16th, 1870, Isaac P. James, Astronomer and Surveyor, surveyed the Eastern Boundary of the State of Nevada. The survey was commenced October 17, 1870 and completed December 26, 1870. During the survey Mr. James established the corner of Utah, Arizona, and Nevada at the 37th Parallel North Latitude, at mile 298 and 56.00 chains from his Initial Point to the north on the Central Pacific Railroad. 1900 thru 1901: Under a General Land Office Contract dated October 13th, 1900, Howard B. Carpenter, U.S. Surveyor and As- tronomer, was directed to survey the boundary line between the State of Utah and the Territory of Arizona. The survey was com- menced March 24, 1901 and completed July 1, 1901. Local people living on the Virgin River, near where it is crossed by the line between Nevada and Arizona, told Mr. Car- penter that old corners on the line were still in existence and that the sandstone shaft erected by Mr. James in 1870 to mark the 37th parallel was still standing. Mr. Carpenter proceeded out from St. George, Utah and Beaver Dam wash, in Arizona and found the 1870 James state line corners. After astronomical ob- servations, he determined that the “James Monument was 111.51 chains too far north. Therefore pursuant to instructions I destroy the James corner and proceed to establish the initial corner at the intersection of the 37th Parallel with the James line.” “At the intersection of the 37th parallel north latitude with the James line I set a red sandstone shaft 6 ft. long 16 ins. broad and 12 ins. thick, dressed 8 ins. down from the top, diagonally in the ground, for the Initial Monument, marked with letters 1 1/2 ins. square deeply graven in the stone NEVADA on the N.W. UTAH on the N.E. ARIZONA on the S.E. and INtl. MONT. 37 N. L. 1901 on the S.W. faces. Raised a mound of stone 5 1/2 ft. base 2 1/2 ft. high around the shaft and dug pits 36X36X18 ins. N. E. and S. of corner 6 ft. dist. No trees within limits.” In addition to the 1870 and 1901 state boundary line surveys, Public Land Survey System surveys adjoining the State lines are: • Arizona, T. 42 N., R. 16 W., GSRM, approved January 25, 1922 (Davis). • Nevada, T. 11 S., R. 71 E., MDM, approved December 2, 1881 (Myrick). This survey was suspended August 18, 1964. • Utah, T. 43 S., R. 20 W., SLM, approved April 2, 1938 (Nelsen & Winwood). t To see additional photos of the project, go to https://www.flickr.com/photos/blmutah/albums/72157672626330643 (BLM Utah flickr write-up; album by BLM DanWebb; Photos by BLM Public Affairs Specialist Ryan Sutherland) By:Todd E. Jacobsen, PLS UCLS, Color Country Chapter President City Surveyor, City of St. George History provided by: DanielW.Webb BLM, Utah State Office (UT925) Division of Lands & Minerals Chief, Branch of Geographic Sciences Chief Cadastral Surveyor, Utah FUNDRAISER = $8,225.00 Project costs were: • $700.00: granite stone • $3,235.10: flag poles, wayfinding signs, solar LED lighting, flags • $283.42: ready mix, silicone, fencing, thin set, and so on. • $800: monument engraving • $500: stones with plaques on them (two stones, two plaques) • $160.05: paperweight stands • $2,520: paperweights The total spent was $8,198.57.