1881 Survey milestone on Ohio-Pennsylvania border, Mile 38
Posted by: 
Algoma!
N 41° 25.222 W 080° 31.153
17T E 540176 N 4585535
Non-benchmarked 1x1 foot square 1881 monument set exactly on state line.
Waymark Code: WM21PB
Location: Pennsylvania, United States
Date Posted: 08/20/2007
Views: 34
SURVEY HISTORY:
This stone was set during the 1881 re-survey of the meridian line first established by Andrew Ellicott in 1784 - 1786. Hence, it is one of two "Ellicott Lines" in the US - the other being the boundary line between Alabama and Florida (originally, the Spanish Territory of Florida). In addition to being the western boundary line of PA, the PA-OH meridian served as the baseline for the first Public Land Survey (of the "Northwest Territories") in the US. The PLS was conducted by Thomas Hutchins, Geographer of the US, starting in 1786. Hutchins had served as a boundary commissioner/surveyor (from PA) with the Ellicott Survey. - - (thanks to 'seventhings', a fellow waymarker, for this info.)
UNIQUE ASPECTS: We got permission to traverse the edges of a farm (being careful to avoid being shocked by the electric fencing) to discover this one in a wooded area next to a corn field. This wins the award for the crookedest stone so far. I think that groundhogs have undermined the location. The 1995 surveyors chose not to benchmark this one, either because it is somewhat hard to access or maybe due to the undermining. It still has the pyramidal top and when the light is right, you may see the initials "J.T." carved on one side. These letters are time worn and seem meticulously cut, so it may be the work of an 1881 surveyor.
Monumentation Type: Dressed stone
Monument Category: State boundary marker
Explain Non-Public access:
You should get permission from locals to access this stone.
Historical significance:
SEE DETAILS ABOVE.
Approximate date of monument: 12/12/1881
Monumentation Type (if other): Not listed
Monument Category (if other): Not listed
Accessible to general public: Not Listed
Monument Website: Not listed
County: Not listed
USGS Quad: Not listed
NGS PID: Not listed
Other Coordinates: Not Listed
Other Coordinates details: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
1. A closeup photo of the monument is required.
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2. A 'distant' photo including the monument in the view is highly recommended. Include the compass direction you faced when you took the picture.
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