THE MOUNT DIABLO
SURVEY MARKS
With its unobstructed view, Mount
Diablo's summit has long been an
important reference point for land
surveys in the far west. In 1851, Col.
Leander Ransom began subdividing
the public lands by establishing the
Mount Diablo Initial Point. From this
point, lines were extended North,
South, East and West forming a survey
grid that covers most of Nothern
California and all of Nevada. This
point is marked by a rectangular
depression in the exposed bedrock,
three feet northeast from the center
of this pillar. In 1852, R. D. Cutts of
the Coast Survey established a different
survey mark from which he began
mapping the state's waterways and
surrounding topography. This point is
marked by a copper bolt inside the
base of this pillar.
Plaque donated by:
Northern and Southern California sections of the
American Congress of Surveying and Mapping
Mount Diablo Surveyor Historical Society
East Bay, San Mateo/Santa Clara, Monterey Bay Chapters
of the Northern California Land Surveyors Association
Northern California Surveyors Joint Apprenticeship Committee
Kearney Pattern Works and Foundry
Placed in 1993
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