A Visit to the Initial Point

If you move that point, every bodies land will shift...
Coords will shift.
Everything will move!

(to quote a client!)

Dagnabit, Jerry. When I was a lad my mother insisted the barber thin my hair a bit on each visit. He must have done one heck of a job on me. I'm betting you had a similar, but more minor, experience. Get your hat on! Preferably, the one that says something about Surveyorconnect/Beerleg.:-P

Here is a snippet from a history of Allen County, Kansas written in 1883 that mentions the surveying of the standard parallels.

"Prominent among the settlers of that year were Nimrod Hankins, William M. Brown, Carlyle Faulkner, Carroll Prewett, Henry Doren, G. A. Gideon, William Mayberry, Thomas Bashaw, M. W. Post and Joseph Ludley. The two last named came in February, 1856, being engaged in the survey of the standard parallels. They finished this survey with the fifth parallel through Allen County, and concluded to locate at or near Cofachique. "

If they, in fact, were working on the fifth standard parallel in February, 1856, they were doing so prior to the finalization of the initial point. Must have been working off the original, but incorrect, initial point.

I got there about an hour before the news crew arrived, so I swept off the concrete, took off the lid, ran the weed eater, and cut a scrub mulberry tree out of the chain link fence. Initially, I had sunglasses and a cap on, but decided I would be presentable and took off the sunglasses. They asked me to take off the cap because it cast a shadow on my face. Of course my hair was all sweaty so I ran my fingers through it as a comb. The wind was gusting 25-30 mph there, but you'd never know because there are no trees there to see any movement. Perhaps I should plant a tree there. Maybe a burr oak so at the 200th anniversary it might be big enough for some shade. If I make it that long, I will be age 90, and someone can prop me up against it and bring me a beer.

J. Penry, post: 376642, member: 321 wrote: I got there about an hour before the news crew arrived, so I swept off the concrete, took off the lid, ran the weed eater, and cut a scrub mulberry tree out of the chain link fence. Initially, I had sunglasses and a cap on, but decided I would be presentable and took off the sunglasses. They asked me to take off the cap because it cast a shadow on my face. Of course my hair was all sweaty so I ran my fingers through it as a comb. The wind was gusting 25-30 mph there, but you'd never know because there are no trees there to see any movement. Perhaps I should plant a tree there. Maybe a burr oak so at the 200th anniversary it might be big enough for some shade. If I make it that long, I will be age 90, and someone can prop me up against it and bring me a beer.

You're a great asset to the profession.
I've been enjoying and learning from your survey expeditions, hole digging and other interests for years here.
Thanks

Get a Beerlegger picture if there are some forum posters there.
I toyed with the idea of making the 6 or 7 hour drive but a medical appointment, a family reunion, and my wife's concert all conspired to prevent it.

Slight hijack!

I have been by (and by that I mean within 300 feet horizontally) the Boise Initial Point probably a dozen+ times and have never stopped, sad, but always in middle of long day or end of long day, almost did early this year, but the road is a goat path and I didn't feel like the hike at end of 10 hour day. BLM Link To Boise Initial Point. I haven't been to many Initial Points, BUT this one had nice long line of site in all four directions, a great location!

SHG

Just checked the closest reporting station for a weather report:

At 6:30AM and 1950' msl:

temp: 70å¡F
dew point: 63å¡F
relative humidity: 78%
Clear sky with 10 mi. visibility
wind 180@6mph
pressure 29.94 in.

Sounds like a pretty typical morning up there. I'm sure as the sun rises and warms things the temps and wind will pick up, but right now it's probably a beautiful sunrise. Hope everyone enjoys the visit and has a safe trip home.

As a native Kansan and a Kansas landowner, I would love to be there for this shindig today. Alas, it is just too far to drive from Alabama this weekend. I only do that in December when I go back to Coffey And Woodson Counties to hunt with my Dad. Y'all have a great day out there!!!

Holy Cow, post: 376638, member: 50 wrote: Here is a snippet from a history of Allen County, Kansas written in 1883 that mentions the surveying of the standard parallels.

"Prominent among the settlers of that year were Nimrod Hankins, William M. Brown, Carlyle Faulkner, Carroll Prewett, Henry Doren, G. A. Gideon, William Mayberry, Thomas Bashaw, M. W. Post and Joseph Ludley. The two last named came in February, 1856, being engaged in the survey of the standard parallels. They finished this survey with the fifth parallel through Allen County, and concluded to locate at or near Cofachique. "

If they, in fact, were working on the fifth standard parallel in February, 1856, they were doing so prior to the finalization of the initial point. Must have been working off the original, but incorrect, initial point.

Holy Cow, you aren't in Allen County, are you? My uncle lives in Iola and coached at Allen County Community College for years.

No, but I was there on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On Monday we were also in Woodson County for a job that falls on the WO/AL county line. Have had a number of projects in both Coffey and Woodson Counties over the years. Not too many, though. Ever see the polar bear at the restaurant that used to be a bank in Waverly?

I have not, and my sister lived in Waverly for a number of years. Which restaurant?
My family is from Gridley. My grandfather owned Beyer Motor Conpany there for over 60 years until his passing.

Sorry guys. I just realized that I have hijacked this thread. My apologies. Have a great day up there!

I can't remember the name of it, but I bet your sister can answer that for you. I'm going back 15 to 20 years ago when I had quite a bit of work for Coffey County Hospital at its various medical facilities around the county. It as on the west side of the main street a few blocks south of the school, on a corner. A bridge construction company was directly across the street (Dufor/Duffer/Dufoe?).

Southern Coffey County School District now has elementary in both Gridley and LeRoy with the middle school in Gridley and the high school at LeRoy. It's a good thing they are only 15 miles apart.

Had a job about six miles northwest of Madison one time on the Lyon/Coffey county line but in Coffey County. Wild country. Never had a job in Gridley, but had one in LeRoy.

Timberwolf, post: 376726, member: 10599 wrote: Sorry guys. I just realized that I have hijacked this thread. My apologies. Have a great day up there!

I enjoy a decent thread hijack any day.

Sorry, guys.

Now back to the initial point.................of this thread.

Holy Cow, I will do my best to drop in and pay you a visit this December when I am up there!

Sounds like a plan. See ya then.

We had around 40 people attend the 160th Anniversary celebration. Attendees were from Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, and a couple from Germany who are touring the United States. Dick Elgin gave an awesome talk about the use of the solar compass.