GeoCaching the Mexican Border Obelisk Monuments

[ChinaCash]

I would like to propose an extreme & dangerous (in many cases) GC project: The US border with Mexico has 278+, 6 ft. tall marble and iron obelisk monuments from the Rio Grande River at El Paso, TX to the Pacific shore in California (~700 mi); these need to be documented!

 

I've linked an excellent article here that tells the whole interesting story about the border line establishment. It's second only to the Lewis & Clark expedition in fasinating history.

 

As you'll read, many of these obelisks may be missing, moved, or damaged. Another possibility is that as the border fence/wall goes up (if ever) many or all may disappear from view. Naturally, many will be fairly easy but others in the AZ/NM border area in extreme geographic/climate locations. Many will be a challenge, even in urban areas.

 

I'd like to suggest that each and every one be documented with photographs (w/background context), and coordinates. We could finalize the project with a Web site that presents that information and honors the Border Patrol and the tremendous effort required to protect our borders.

 

What say YE?! I present here Monument # 102 looking from Mexico (a NO NO) back into the US at the Coronado National Memorial in SE Arizona.

Edited December 9, 2006 by ChinaCash

[+Sanruft]

I would like to propose an extreme & dangerous (in many cases) GC project: The US border with Mexico has 278+, 6 ft. tall marble and iron obelisk monuments from the Rio Grande River at El Paso, TX to the Pacific shore in California (~700 mi); these need to be documented!

 

I've linked an excellent article here that tells the whole interesting story about the border line establishment. It's second only to the Lewis & Clark expedition in fasinating history.

 

As you'll read, many of these obelisks may be missing, moved, or damaged. Another possibility is that as the border fence/wall goes up (if ever) many or all may disappear from view. Naturally, many will be fairly easy but others in the AZ/NM border area in extreme geographic/climate locations. Many will be a challenge, even in urban areas.

 

I'd like to suggest that each and every one be documented with photographs (w/background context), and coordinates. We could finalize the project with a Web site that presents that information and honors the Border Patrol and the tremendous effort required to protect our borders.

 

What say YE?! I present here Monument # 102 looking from Mexico (a NO NO) back into the US at the Coronado National Memorial in SE Arizona.

 

Sounds like fun and an adventure! We will be moving to the Sierra Vista area early next year, so that will be a great way for me to explore the area.

[ChinaCash]

 

Sounds like fun and an adventure! We will be moving to the Sierra Vista area early next year, so that will be a great way for me to explore the area.

 

Great! get in touch if you want to help (martinj4@cox.net). I'm 10 miles S. of town in Hereford.

JTM

[+PassingWind]

Logged Monument #231 back in August, they are pretty cool and worth preserving.

 

 

Benchmark: DC1888

 

BOUNDARY MON 231 MX US

 

 

PassingWind

[+GIDEON-X]

Here in Yuma County, there are a lot to be found. The Barry Goldwater Bombing Range Runs right up to the Boarder..............and all one needs to do is get a permit (free) to travel on the Range Also there are quite a few other caches to be had on the Range. The info on how to get a Range-Pass can be found at this cache page GCGZV3

The picture is from the days of "locationless caches": (March 19 2004) GC9ECE (Archived)

 

Edited December 10, 2006 by GIDEON-X

[+karstic]

That's cool. I never knew those existed.

[+Chuy!]

From Mexican Monument cache between El Centro and Yuma.

 

[+NorthWes]

May I suggest you post a note over in the Benchmark forums regarding this project? You're sure to find some very enthusiastic participants... I'd be thrilled to join in this project, but it's a bit far to drive.

[ChinaCash]

From Mexican Monument cache between El Centro and Yuma.

 

That's what I'm talking about! Just look at that background of pure sand - where's the fence?

Thanks.

 

ChinaCash

[ChinaCash]

May I suggest you post a note over in the Benchmark forums regarding this project? You're sure to find some very enthusiastic participants... I'd be thrilled to join in this project, but it's a bit far to drive.

 

Yea, just a bit far... I'll have a list of coordinates for a good portion of the AZ border soon. I hope to publish in the Benchmarks Forum, as you suggest (THX!), ASAP.

 

ChinaCash

[L&LFaubion]

We are in wellton Az. Not long a go we went down the old El camino Del Deablo hwy. from here then turned west along the border Passed several of these markers. Will try to make another trip and send info you want. This old raod runs E. paralell to the border all the way to the Tucson area.

[+CO Admin]

This sounds like a good Waymarking project!

[+Chuy!]

From Mexican Monument cache between El Centro and Yuma.

That's what I'm talking about! Just look at that background of pure sand - where's the fence?

Thanks.

ChinaCash

The pic is from the south facing north (notice the Spanish words) - if there was a fence, it'd be behind me, but there is no fence along here, just a sandy border road. And yes, I crossed illegally .

 

 

This sounds like a good Waymarking project!

Waymarking bites - oops, did I say that outloud ?

[ChinaCash]

A fine public servant in the Border Patrol has provided these 42 US/Mexico Border Monument locations for Cochise (partial) and Santa Cruz counties. These are all scenic locations that should have relative ease of access. So this is a good start. I'm going to try to create a category in Waymarking.com. One goal is to confirm these coordinates and post a photo of each. Like I said, these Monuments may become difficult to visit or even see if the Border Fence is ever built. While I formatted this in neat columns, upon posting the formating is pooched - DRATS! If you email martinj4@cox.net I'll attach this list in doc or pdf.

 

LOCATIONS Latitude Longitude

Montezuma Pass N 31 20,00' W 110 17.144'

Coronado Forest Marker N 31 21.753 W 110 18.388

Monument 103 N 31 19.998 W 110 20.197

Monument 104 N 31 19.998 W 110 21.674

Bear Canyon water crossing N 31 20.004 W 110 23.015

Monument 105 N 31 19.988 W 110 23.428

4th Gate N 31 19.986 W 110 25.690

FSR 61 & FSR 227 N 31 21.429 W 110 28.156'

The "T" "LA BOTA" N 31 19.981 W 110 26.559

Bercich Ranch N 31 20.443' W 110 29.367'

Buds Well N 31 20.077' W 110 31.092'

Monument 106 N 31 19.975' W 110 27.517'

Monument 107 N 31 19.975' W 110 29.363'

Monument 108 N 31 19.972' W 110 30.328'

Monument 109 N 31 19.977' W 110 33.655'

Parker Canyon and the line N 31 19.975' W 110 34.116'

Monument 110 N 31 19.979' W 110 34.665'

Santa Cruz River & the Line N 31 19.978" W 110 35.865'

Monument 111 N 31 19.780' W 110 35.931

Santa Cruz Gaging Station N 31 19.978' W 110 35.382'

Lochiel POE N 31 19.983' W 110 37.319'

Lochiel Cemetery N 31 20.039' W 110 37.478'

Fray Marcos De Niza Cross N 31 20,361' W 110 37.645'

Monument 112 N 31 19.985' W 110 37.620'

De La Ossa Drive thru N 31 19.992' W 110 38.133'

Monument 113 N 31 19.998' W 110 41.477'

Duquesne Caves N 31 22.087' W 110 40.919'

Monument 114 N 31 20.001 W 110 42.724

FSR 128 & 7015 N 31 22.087 W 110 41.132'

Duquesne Townsite N 31 22.264 W 110 41.144'

Line Boy Mine N 31 20.128 W 110 41.537

Washington Camp N 31 22.909 W 110 41.481'

FSR 49 & 61 N 31 23.192 W 110 41.5 03'

Finley & Adams Caves N 31 23.593' W 110 41.217'

Santo Nino Ranch N 31 25.468' W 110 42.294'

Monument 115 N 31 20.007 W 110 44.644

Parker Canyon Lake N 31 25.470' W 110 26.872'

FSR 48 & 228 N 31 24.827' W 110 25.555'

FSR 48 & 61 (Blue Mailbox) N 31 22.881 W 110 24.137'

Patagonia Mountains N 31 21.120' W 110 43.290'

Canelo Mountains N 31 31.550' W 110 35.170'

Huachuca Mountains N 31 21.000" W 110 23.000'

Edited January 26, 2007 by ChinaCash

[+TeamBarstool]

If anyone wants to get a group to document the ones in Arizona, I'm in. I would also be into some trips to New Mexico as well.

Finding monuments,caches & benchmarks along the line sounds like a blast to me.

Have 4wd , will travel

 

 

Jeff

 

TeamBarstool@mac.com

[ChinaCash]

If anyone wants to get a group to document the ones in Arizona, I'm in. I would also be into some trips to New Mexico as well.

Finding monuments,caches & benchmarks along the line sounds like a blast to me.

Have 4wd , will travel

 

 

Jeff

 

TeamBarstool@mac.com

 

You've got the right 'spirit' Jeff! I've got to admit that I've never heard of Baja, AZ but would guess it's towards the western part of the state. I'm way toward the eastern, below Sierra Vista, near the border. Along the border it's very advisable to travel in groups - so who else is in and when do we go!

 

Jim - ChinaCash

[+TeamBarstool]

I'm in Tucson & available most weekends

[+TeamBarstool]

A fine public servant in the Border Patrol has provided these 42 US/Mexico Border Monument locations for Cochise (partial) and Santa Cruz counties. These are all scenic locations that should have relative ease of access. So this is a good start. I'm going to try to create a category in Waymarking.com. One goal is to confirm these coordinates and post a photo of each. Like I said, these Monuments may become difficult to visit or even see if the Border Fence is ever built. While I formatted this in neat columns, upon posting the formating is pooched - DRATS! If you email martinj4@cox.net I'll attach this list in doc or pdf.

 

I put all of these coords into google earth. Email me if anyone wants the .KMZ file

[+Spirit Warrior]

Maybe I missed it, but is there a single location that documents all of the markers, and their locations?

[+Chuy!]

I was going through the benchmark webpage and noticed these oabelisks are included as benchmarks. The marker type is listed as "boundry monument" (yes without the "a").

This is a typical description, taken from benchmark DC1638,

"DESCRIBED BY NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY 1976 (ILC) BOUNDARY MONUMENT NO 255 IS A CUT GRANITE OBELISK, 4 FEET SQUARE AT THE BASE TAPERING TO 2 FEET SQUARE AT THE TOP WITH A 1-FOOT SHARPLY TAPERED TOP. IT IS 11 FEET HIGH AND IS SET ON TOP OF A 12-FOOT SQUARE CONCRETE BASE. IT HAS CUT IN ITS WEST SIDE-- 255, UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS, COL J.W. BARLOW, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, LT D.D. GAILLARD, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, ASST A.T. MOSSMAN, COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY."

 

The only other way to consolidate these is, I hate to admit, through the Waymarking webpage. I will help with the San Diego County obelisks if this project proceeds, although it appears some of these are fenced in by the boundary fences.

[ChinaCash]

I was going through the benchmark webpage and noticed these oabelisks are included as benchmarks. The marker type is listed as "boundry monument" (yes without the "a").

This is a typical description, taken from benchmark DC1638,

"DESCRIBED BY NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY 1976 (ILC) BOUNDARY MONUMENT NO 255 IS A CUT GRANITE OBELISK, 4 FEET SQUARE AT THE BASE TAPERING TO 2 FEET SQUARE AT THE TOP WITH A 1-FOOT SHARPLY TAPERED TOP. IT IS 11 FEET HIGH AND IS SET ON TOP OF A 12-FOOT SQUARE CONCRETE BASE. IT HAS CUT IN ITS WEST SIDE-- 255, UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS, COL J.W. BARLOW, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, LT D.D. GAILLARD, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, ASST A.T. MOSSMAN, COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY."

 

The only other way to consolidate these is, I hate to admit, through the Waymarking webpage. I will help with the San Diego County obelisks if this project proceeds, although it appears some of these are fenced in by the boundary fences.

 

Chuy! this is fabulous and solves a big problem. One hitch is that the Border Patrol (see list at Post #14) uses coordinates based upon US topgraphic maps. This can put you sigificantly off using the GPS coordinates we all know and love. I know there is a conversion factor available on the JEEP site at: http://jeeep.com/details/coord/

 

I have been contacted today by a jounalist from the National Geographic. It sounds like she want to do a geo-caching story that might include the Border Obelisk angle. I've offered the services of you fine fellows if she wishes to have an escort into the, sometimes dangerous, border regions. Stay tuned...

[+TeamBarstool]

I was going through the benchmark webpage and noticed these oabelisks are included as benchmarks. The marker type is listed as "boundry monument" (yes without the "a").

This is a typical description, taken from benchmark DC1638,

"DESCRIBED BY NATIONAL GEODETIC SURVEY 1976 (ILC) BOUNDARY MONUMENT NO 255 IS A CUT GRANITE OBELISK, 4 FEET SQUARE AT THE BASE TAPERING TO 2 FEET SQUARE AT THE TOP WITH A 1-FOOT SHARPLY TAPERED TOP. IT IS 11 FEET HIGH AND IS SET ON TOP OF A 12-FOOT SQUARE CONCRETE BASE. IT HAS CUT IN ITS WEST SIDE-- 255, UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS, COL J.W. BARLOW, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, LT D.D. GAILLARD, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, ASST A.T. MOSSMAN, COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY."

 

The only other way to consolidate these is, I hate to admit, through the Waymarking webpage. I will help with the San Diego County obelisks if this project proceeds, although it appears some of these are fenced in by the boundary fences.

 

Chuy! this is fabulous and solves a big problem. One hitch is that the Border Patrol (see list at Post #14) uses coordinates based upon US topgraphic maps. This can put you sigificantly off using the GPS coordinates we all know and love. I know there is a conversion factor available on the JEEP site at: http://jeeep.com/details/coord/

 

I have been contacted today by a jounalist from the National Geographic. It sounds like she want to do a geo-caching story that might include the Border Obelisk angle. I've offered the services of you fine fellows if she wishes to have an escort into the, sometimes dangerous, border regions. Stay tuned...

 

I think She probably contacted everyone on the thread. I offered to make the trip also.

 

after Chuy! posted I tried this google site search:

 

BOUNDARY MON site:http://www.geocaching.com/mark

 

This brings up some. Need to tweak the key words to bring up some others

[+Chuy!]

I was also contacted by said journalist. I told her to contact ChinaCash about the Obeslisk project. She also wanted to know of some interesting caches I'd recommend. I provided a short list.

 

So, are we putting this together under Waymarking? There is already a subcategory for US Benchmarks, and another for U.S. Historic Survey Stones and Monuments. Neither one has these obelisks. I wonder if we'd have to include the obelisks under one of these subcatogories or be allowed to start one specifically for the obelisks. Anyone care to look into this further?

 

We should probably move this thread into the benchmark forums. There is also a Waymarking forum.

Edited March 28, 2007 by Chuy!

[+Rainbow Riders]

Hello,

 

I am traveling to Rocky Point Mexico next weekend and would love to do a little caching while there. Anyone know the coordinates for Playa Encanto or Las Conchos?

 

Any of these monuments in that area?

 

Kiara

 

Rainbow Riders

[+TeamBarstool]

look around this one

 

this looks to be a benchmark but there a couple east and west of there

[+TeamBarstool]

I've started to create a map with the new Google map function

You can view it here

 

I'll keep working my way east as time permits

 

I hope the link works. I'm still trying to figure the map thing out.

the map title is US Mexico Border Monuments

[Parsa]

Check this out:

 

San Diego Border Monument 1906

[Parsa]

TeamBarstool,

 

Are you using topo maps, or do you know for a fact that the listed monuments exist?

It seems you skipped a few on the topo maps. The ones with more decimal places are where I believe I can see the monument in aerial photos.

 

No.248, 32° 34.027'N, 116° 44.345'W (NAD83/WGS84)

No.247, 32° 34.22'N, 116° 42.01'W (NAD83/WGS84)

No.246, 32° 34.258'N, 116° 41.460'W (NAD83/WGS84)

No.245, 32° 34.425'N, 116° 39.541'W (NAD83/WGS84)

 

No.243, 32° 34.710'N, 116° 36.167'W (NAD83/WGS84)

No.242, 32° 34.98'N, 116° 32.89'W (NAD83/WGS84)

 

(230 doesn't seem to be on the topo map.)

No.229, 32° 37.91'N, 115° 55.95'W (NAD83/WGS84)

 

Parsa

Edited April 7, 2007 by Parsa

[+TeamBarstool]

TeamBarstool,

 

Are you using topo maps, or do you know for a fact that the listed monuments exist?

It seems you skipped a few on the topo maps. The ones with more decimal places are where I believe I can see the monument in aerial photos.

 

No.248, 32° 34.027'N, 116° 44.345'W (NAD83/WGS84)

No.247, 32° 34.22'N, 116° 42.01'W (NAD83/WGS84)

No.246, 32° 34.258'N, 116° 41.460'W (NAD83/WGS84)

No.245, 32° 34.425'N, 116° 39.541'W (NAD83/WGS84)

 

No.243, 32° 34.710'N, 116° 36.167'W (NAD83/WGS84)

No.242, 32° 34.98'N, 116° 32.89'W (NAD83/WGS84)

 

(230 doesn't seem to be on the topo map.)

No.229, 32° 37.91'N, 115° 55.95'W (NAD83/WGS84)

 

Parsa

 

the ones I have on the map so far are listed on the this site. I've downloaded the NGS data sheets for the missing ones and will add this weekend

[ChinaCash]

OK, Team Barstool, Chuy - et all

 

It's cool again and time to pick up on the Border Monument project. I'm not very familiar with the site but suppose the subject would be better posted in a more generalized and appropriate category. Benchmarks and Monuments sounds about right.

 

To whet the appetite I present Monument # 139 at Sasabe, AZ (port-of-entry). Yes, the fence is going up and will partially obscure seeing these obelisks in their fully magnificent form. Coordinates are: N 31.28.922 x W 111.32.498

 

From this vantage point one can make out two obelisks on both peaks E & W of Sasabe. I do not know if the chain-link fence will progress all the way up. Afterall, we have to give migrants a fighting chance.

 

http://www.CochiseNet.com\directory&a...--Sasabe-AZ.jpg

http://www.CochiseNet.com\directory&a...order-Fence.jpg

Edited October 28, 2007 by ChinaCash