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The Beginning of the Third Principal Meridian - Cairo, IL
Posted by:
YoSam.
N 36° 59.558 W 089° 09.480
16S E 307958 N 4096231
Along side US 51, just north of the Ohio River bridge and Fort Defiance, is this survey marker
Waymark Code: WMM0FK
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 06/27/2014
Views: 3
County of marker: Alexander County
Location of marker: US 51, N. of Fort Defiance
Marker text:
The beginning of the Third Principal Meridian is located in the Ohio River 1,810 feet directly North of this point.
In November, 1803, this was the mouth of the Ohio River. At this location, the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery encamped for six days
Monumentation Type: Dressed stone
![](/images/spacer.gif) Monument Category: Meridian Line marker
![](/images/spacer.gif) Accessible to general public: yes
![](/images/spacer.gif) Historical significance: The mouth of the Ohio River is the beginning of the Third Principal Meridian, and this was the mouth in 1803. The Corps of Discovery trained here.
![](/images/spacer.gif) Monument Website: [Web Link]
![](/images/spacer.gif) County: Alexander County
![](/images/spacer.gif) Other Coordinates details: I acquired this marker in July 7, 2006
![](/images/spacer.gif) Monumentation Type (if other): Not listed
![](/images/spacer.gif) Monument Category (if other): Not listed
![](/images/spacer.gif) Explain Non-Public access: Not listed
![](/images/spacer.gif) USGS Quad: Not listed
![](/images/spacer.gif) NGS PID: Not listed
![](/images/spacer.gif) Other Coordinates: Not Listed
![](/images/spacer.gif) Approximate date of monument: 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.