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Limestone monument


LSUFan

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Posted

Hey everyone, I just want to share our good fortune down here in Louisiana, and tell a story that most benchmarkers can relate to.

 

We have been researching some of the oldest marks in the NGS database, and after looking at several aerial photos, decided there was one from 1878 that may be intact. The datasheet says it is a copper bolt set in a limestone monument, with the inscription of USCS and 1878 on it. We have never found one like that before in this area.

 

One of our geocaching group stopped by it on his way to meet us back in July, and was able to confirm it was indeed there. He didn't have time to do a full recovery, which we were able to do yesterday.

 

We are just as happy as all get out, that the mark was there. Being a history buff, I like the fact that it referenced a civil war project that was undertaken during the siege of Vicksburg, and is located very near this mark.

 

Anyway, as you may tell, we are quite proud of this recovery, and hope you enjoy reading/seeing it.

 

http://www.geocaching.com/mark/details.aspx?PID=CP2772

Posted

Thnx for the story. Congrats!!

 

What in the aerial photographs led you to believe it might still be there and recoverable??

 

Bill, from what we saw on google earth, the thought process went like this.

 

1. It appeared to be far enough from a road, that possible road construction after the mark was placed wouldn't have interfered with it. Once we arrived on site, the actual road close to it was more like a logging road, or construction road. Couldn't tell that from an aerial view though.

 

2. It was within a wooded section, so hopefully it may have not been disturbed due to farming or construction. Our biggest concern (in the thought process) was the mark may have been destroyed when the railroad tracks were taken up, or when the levees moved/constructed.

 

3. It was far enough from distinguishable housing, that maybe it hadn't been removed by a homeowner.

 

I know a lot of things could have happened in the time period since the last recovery report of 1936, but that's some of the logic we discussed/used..........and hoped for the best.

Posted

LSUFan, thank you so much for pointing this out and finding it. Thanks for the interesting history. I went to see it last week. What a great monument. I couldn’t add much to your description so I mostly just took pictures.

 

It is amazing that it exists in one of few small remaining portions of the area that have not been farmed or otherwise disturbed.

 

(As an aside, I was surprised to see a “stop sign” mentioned in the 1878 description. Being a couple decades before automobiles, I guess it was for horse and buggies?)

 

Congrats to the LA crew for tracking this one down.

Posted

LSUFan, thank you so much for pointing this out and finding it. Thanks for the interesting history. I went to see it last week. What a great monument. I couldn’t add much to your description so I mostly just took pictures.

 

It is amazing that it exists in one of few small remaining portions of the area that have not been farmed or otherwise disturbed.

 

(As an aside, I was surprised to see a “stop sign” mentioned in the 1878 description. Being a couple decades before automobiles, I guess it was for horse and buggies?)

 

Congrats to the LA crew for tracking this one down.

 

I am glad you were able to see it for yourself. Your log post sounds like you enjoyed it as much as we did. Good deal.

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