Print this page Boundary Monuments: Artificial and Natural Markers
Patrick C. Garner, PLS
Course Outline
Boundary Monuments: Artificial and Natural Markers is the only available course that specifically examines the monuments that surveyors commonly use and/or encounter in their boundary practice. The course is a thorough discussion of historic monuments and contemporary markers used for horizontal control.
Specifically, it will help today’s surveyor identify property markers as well as assess the permanence of various monuments. The course emphasizes an often forgotten truism that every early surveyor knew: Permanence and visibility of corners always trump accuracy. This “take away” message is one that modern surveyors should note, because their over-dependence on electronic equipment and fealty to property legal descriptions often blinds them to the forensic research necessary for correct boundary surveys. In other words, locating the correct corner is always more critical than a mathematically perfect survey
Land surveying has a rich—and sometimes quirky—history of using monuments that were particular to a given region. Surveyors used what was available and what was peer-recognized. Accepted monuments varied from wood stakes to iron pipes to wheelbarrow axles.
Natural monuments, on the other hand, were invariably physical features found in the region—creek centerlines, riverbanks, rock outcrops, trees or abrupt changes in topography. These, too, varied by region, with outcrop tops, for instance, commonly used in New England. In areas like the Midwest, lake edges were frequently used.
Accordingly, the course is divided into two sections that focus on these legally recognized types of monumentation. Heavily illustrated, it lists and discusses each commonly encountered type of monument. The ideal, modern moment is discussed, as well as why it is seldom used. Students are then tested for their understanding of these basic differences. Boundary Monuments: Artificial and Natural Markers is an essential review for both new and experienced boundary professionals.
This course includes
a multiple choice quiz at the end,
Learning Objective
Upon completing the course, Boundary Monuments: Artificial and Natural Markers, surveyors will have reviewed the two basic types of monuments encountered during boundary surveying. Practically, the course will help surveyors understand the significance of any property marker found in the course of a survey as well as assess the permanence of various monuments.
In the context of legally recognized monumentation, a detailed review of specific markers is conducted, with an analysis of application and use. Natural monuments are also discussed so that surveyors may be aware of the occasional difficulties typically encountered in boundary retracement.
Upon completion of the course, the student will have become familiar with boundary markers used as early as 150 B.C. The most modern style of markers detectable by magnetic locators will be discussed, with a thorough discussion of all types of monuments in between these two extremes of time. The ideal, modern moment is discussed, as well as why it is so rarely used.
Land surveyors, new or experienced, will finish the course with a far stronger understanding of the ancient and contemporary use of monuments.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for land surveyors and civil engineers.
Benefit to Attendees
An attendee of this course will learn the differences between natural and artificial boundary monuments. First, a brief history of boundary monuments is presented. Then specific monuments are discussed at length. Emphasis is placed on the legal principles of permanence, visibility and accuracy. Discussion of the “ideal” monument is included.
Illustrations, definitions and examples of natural and artificial monuments are shown in the two sections of the course. Commonly encountered problems are discussed. Upon completion of this course, the attendee will have a working knowledge about the nuances, history and legal acceptance of the many varieties of boundary monuments.
Course Introduction
Monuments and markers have been used as property corners for millennium. Particularly in the early years of settlement in this country, surveyors frequently used what are referred to as natural monuments. At the time these natural monuments seemed permanent. Yet, some of these natural monuments are far more reliable than others. Little thought was given to the fact that rivers, streams, riverbanks, shores and pond edges are all subject to movement.
Not all natural monuments are variable in location. Horizontally stable natural monuments are common as well: a massive boulder or rock outcrop with a drill hole is likely to be in the identical location 200 years after being cited by the original surveyor.
As we will learn, with the development of civilization, marking corners of land used by a farmer—or owned by royalty—became crucial. Boundaries have always defined taxable areas, farms, and lines between families. Massive stone markers often established the rights-of-way of public roadways.
Monuments are either natural—a physical feature such as a riverbank—or artificial, that is, of manmade materials such as wood, iron, granite, stone or concrete. The purpose of markers is serious, and monuments are often protected from mischief and destruction by law.
A surveyor’s intent when reestablishing or setting corners has always been: (1) permanence; (2) visibility; and (3) accuracy. If a monument was easily seen and could be relied upon year after year, its dimensional relationship to other corners was inconsequential.
Locating the correct corner is always more critical than a mathematically perfect survey. A temptation facing today’s surveyor in a boundary retracement is to short the forensic work of finding old monuments for the mathematically reassuring reliance on a legal description to electronically reset a corner.
Permanence has always been one of the most difficult challenges, particularly given that objects found in nature, like manmade objects, are subject to erosion, movement and destruction. Until recently though, courts have viewed natural monuments as being more permanent than manmade corners. Courts traditionally give them greater weight than artificial corners, particularly when a plan or deed specifically describes them. Far too many surveyors set wood stakes or nails for corners—and the life span of these objects is short.
Boundary Monuments: Artificial and Natural Markers is divided into two distinct sections, the first dealing with the numerous kinds of manmade corners. The second section describes common natural monuments. Both sections are heavily illustrated. Any professional holding registration should be familiar with the wide variety of property corners used historically and currently.
Course Content
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Boundary Monuments: Artificial and Natural Markers (PDF, 33 pages, 1.8 MB)
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Course Summary
Monuments and markers have been used as property corners for millennium. As soon as agriculture played a key role in human culture, marking corners of land used by farmers—or owned by royalty—became crucial. Wherever humankind has recognized land ownership, the physical establishment of boundaries is imperative. Boundaries have defined taxable areas, farms, lines between families and established public roadways. In each of these cases, boundaries were marked with a permanent, visible monument.
Monuments have been either natural—a physical feature such as a large boulder—or artificial, that is, a corner made from manmade materials. These two distinctions are recognized by law and frequently cited in legal decisions.
The purpose of markers has always been serious, and consequently, monuments are often protected from destruction or mischief by law and statute. Modern law makes destruction or movement of boundary monuments subject to civil penalties that may—depending on the severity of the destruction—include prison time and fines. The destruction or movement of monuments may also constitute trespass. The law considers the protection of property monumentation today as important as it did thousands of years ago.
A surveyor’s intent when reestablishing or setting corners should be: (1) permanence; (2) visibility; and (3) accuracy. Permanence is one of the most difficult challenges, given that natural monuments are subject to erosion and movement, and artificial monuments subject to destruction. Far too many surveyors compound this problem by setting wood stakes or carpentry nails for corners—and the life span of these objects is typically short.
With the advent of aluminum alloy monuments—particularly break-off monuments with ceramic magnets—surveyors are as close as the profession has come to having truly permanent corners. Although break-off monuments are not usable in all situations, they may be considered “ideal monuments” for most common situations. Use of centimeter-accurate GPS and highly accurate total stations has also increased dimensional reliance and the ability to later recover lost corners.
The course has also emphasized that natural monuments such as rivers, streams, riverbanks, shores and pond edges are all subject to substantial movement, no matter how accurately located by a surveyor at a given moment. Riparian rights and riparian law, the product of hundreds of years of legal decisions and state-by-state statutes, must be carefully consulted before the correct, contemporary property corner may be established.
Regardless of these issues, a surveyor must still couple technology with experience and with knowledge of boundary law. Locating the correct corner always trumps making a so-called accurate survey. A surveyor has gained nothing by measuring to the nearest 0.01 foot, if in doing so he misses the original corner. Clearly, permanence and visibility of corners remains as meaningful today as it was in 3,000 B.C.
References
American Congress of Surveying & Mapping (ACSM), website: www.acsm.net
Bedini, With Compass and Chain (2001)
BLM, Manual of Instructions for the Survey of the Public Lands of the United States (1973)
Breed, Surveying (1942)
Davis, Foote and Kelly, Surveying, Theory and Practice (1968)
Flint, Treatise on Geometry, Trigonometry and Rectangular Surveying (1804)
Garner, Patrick, Adverse Possession: A Course (Red Vector)
Garner, Patrick, AmericanLand Surveying – A History (Red Vector)
Gibson, Theory and Practice of Surveying (1833)
Gillespie, A Treatise on Land-Surveying (1855)
Grimes, Clark on Surveying and Boundaries (1922)
Leybourn, The Compleat Surveyor, Containing the whole Art of Surveying of Land (1653-57)
Love, Geodaesia (1682)
Madson, Fading Footsteps (1980)
McEntyre, Land Survey Systems (1978)
Mulford, Boundaries and Landmarks (1912)
Robillard, Wilson and Brown, Evidence and Procedures for Boundary Location (2006)
Skelton, Boundaries and Adjacent Properties (1930)
Wilson, Forensic Procedures for Boundary & Title Investigations (2008)
Acknowledgments
The author wishes to acknowledge the contribution to the surveying profession of James L. Conine, P.L.S, and Lee I. Kicklighter, P.L.S., of Brunswick, Ga. They also contributed mightily to the author’s education and development as a young surveyor. In addition, he notes the immeasurable contribution to the profession of Walter Robillard, PLS.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
