U. S. Geological Survey
Township Corner
T 2-3N, R3-4E, BHMBlack Hills, South Dakota
August 26, 1897
A. L. Coleman - U. S. Surveyor for USGS
(Recovered)
Jerry Penry
April 25, 2015
The U. S. Geological Survey established township, section, and quarter section corners only in a few locations. Two known areas are parts of Oklahoma (Indian Territory) and in a region of the Black Hills of South Dakota. At the township corners they placed 3.5-inch diameter iron posts with 3.75-inch diameter bronze caps. At the time, USGS did not have special monuments for PLSS corners so they used monuments that were also being used for bench marks. The township corners where the iron pipes were placed have the words "Bench Mark" on them, but most were probably never leveled to for the establishment of elevations. Between the township corners and in the interior of the townships, USGS placed marked stones just like the GLO was doing.The USGS iron post township corners are rare because they were infrequently established and because they preceded the placement of iron markers by the GLO by almost a decade. The work by USGS in doing the PLSS type of work can be regarded as excellent since they were a government agency with a goal of doing things correctly. The GLO work during the same era in the 1890's was generally done by private contractors who were working to make a profit and always looking for quicker methods to accomplish the work.
Location of the Township Corner at the NW Corner of Section 6, T2N, R4E.
USGS notes establishing the corner position.
Looking west toward the township corner.
Looking west toward the township corner.
Six notches on the east side of the cap per GLO instructions.
Top of the cap.
Bearing tree to the Northeast.
Existing sign on bearing tree to the Northeast.
Bearing tree to the Southwest.
Existing sign on bearing tree to the Southwest.
Bearing tree to the Northwest.
Existing bearing tree to the Northwest.
© Jerry Penry 2015
