I got these pics from a former co-worker who worked for IDOT for many years. These are pics of the Cardinal Point Stone for the Illinois Third Principal Meridian. The Illinois Registered Land Surveyors Association (now Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association), along with IDOT, recovered the stone before IL 251 was reconstructed many moons ago.
Enjoy the picture of the stone. It will be a LONG time before sun shines on it again.
I'd love to hear stories from anyone who might have been involved in this endeavor. The way I hear it, all bowed in respect to it, many took pictures, some may have been accused of "accidentally" chipping off a piece during recovery, that ended up in their pockets...
Thanks for posting
Awesome dimple. Right on the raised map of the state where the point is located.
Cool! I've driven over that many times and never knew it was there. I was always keened in on the Country Bob's facility at that intersection.
I'd like it more if the dimple was centered on the face of the monument (with the state translated accordingly, of course).
I've not heard of these points referred to as the Cardinal Point always as the Initial Point.
I spent the first 10 years of my career working primarily in Townships 1-4 S, Ranges 1-4 E of the 3rd P.M. I haven't been there since 2020, but if I remember correctly this is what you'll find at the cardinal point. The other, cooler looking markers are reference monuments.
