The Fort Niobrara Military Reservation in northern Nebraska near the town of Valentine existed from 1880-1906. It then became a National Wildlife Refuge and came under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture. During 1935-36, the Department of Agriculture & Biological Survey set quite a few monuments in the area to survey various tracts. Last month I was given a tour inside the only original building still left which was crammed full of all sorts of items, not to mention inches of bird and bat droppings on the floor. Under one shelf were unused survey monuments sitting there just waiting to be rediscovered.
Isn't there an old house on the grounds?
Yes, the old house is located near the other buildings still being used, but it was built later. The yellow arrow shows the location of the hay barn where the monuments were found.
JP-
Seeing those large wheels in the pic (from a prairie schooner ?) reminded me of my Dad talking about 'the prairie way of measuring' with a perambulator ...
http://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/mapping-data/maps/research-history/history/surveying/distances
Cheers,
Derek
Those large wheels are part of what is called a caisson.
The two wheeled wagon was used by the military to carry weapons, mount cannon, carry ammunition and as a hearse.
I noticed the stamped #1 inside a box in your last picture. Would that have been referenced on the plat or in the notes or what was the purpose of it?
Corey
I believe this monument is Corner 8 of Lot 1 of Tract 16A.
