Point of Beginning
Posted by: 
NevaP
N 40° 00.001 W 095° 19.874
15T E 300997 N 4430362
This marker, located on the Nebraska-Kansas border, commemorates the starting point of the base line survey done in 1855-56 to mark the 40th parallel boundary between the two states.
Waymark Code: WM2K3A
Location: Nebraska, United States
Date Posted: 11/14/2007
Views: 53
The text of the marker reads:
Point of Beginning of the Public Land Surveys
of the Sixth Principal Meridian
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of May 30, 1854 created the territories of Nebraska and Kansas, which had to be surveyed before settlement could proceed. In November 1854, Captain Thomas J. Lee of the U.S. Army Topographic Engineers determined the Fortieth Degree of North Latitude along the Missouri River. On May 8, 1855, the cast iron monument on the bluff above was erected by Charles A. Manners to mark the beginning of the base line (Fortieth Parallel) forming the Nebraska - Kansas boundary.
In 1855-56 Manners surveyed westward from the cast iron monument along the base line 108 miles to establish the Initial Point of the Sixth Principal Meridian. The Initial Point controls the system of section, townships, and ranges of the public land surveys in Nebraska, Kansas, and parts of Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
The original surveys of Nebraska were completed in 1883. All land transactions (patents, deeds, and easements) within Nebraska are filed with the register of deeds of each county and reference the corners set during these surveys.
The marker, #367, was placed by the Professional Surveyors Association of Nebraska and the Nebraska State Historical Society.
The monument on the bluff can be seen from the parking area by the marker. A short trail, which starts at about 40 00.020N, goes up to it. There you find a guest book to sign and more information about the land surveys. The monument is a virtual Geocache.
Marker Name: Point of Beginning of the Public Land Surveys of the Sixth Principal Meridian
Roadside: yes
Web Address if available:: [Web Link]
City: Not Listed
Other: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
Post Pictures:
1. Close up of historical marker
2. Picture of surrounding area (would prefer to have the marker in the picture also). Thanks!