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American Land Surveying, an Essential History: The Profession of Frontiersmen, Philosophers & Presidents

Patrick C. Garner, PLS, Wetland Scientist

Course Outline

American Land Surveying examines the grand and sometimes tumultuous history of land surveying from its earliest days to its current status as a highly respected profession. The course surveys a period from the 1630s to today—more than 360 years.

From its earliest days, bold personalities were attracted to the work and famous men toiled in the field. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Daniel Boone, Abraham Lincoln and Henry David Thoreau all worked as surveyors, often serving crucial roles in their local communities as the creators of boundaries and lease holdings. Theirs were often the original footsteps, which surveyors for generations afterward retrace.

The course reviews ancient and pre-American colony surveys. It assesses Colonial and Public Land System surveys–how and why they developed into the complex systems that they are today. In addition to discussing famous personalities from the 18th and 19th centuries, the course reviews early surveying instruments, early surveying texts, metes and bounds descriptions and forms of monumentation. The expansion of federal and state surveyor regulations is discussed, as well as the movement within the profession in the 20th century to recognize the differences between surveys by civil engineers and surveys by boundary surveyors.

An overview is also provided of land surveying university programs, state licensure and the on-going discussion about the nomenclature of a Registered Land Surveyor (R.L.S.) versus a Professional Land Surveyor (P.L.S.). The role of accreditation by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), national exams, continuing education, national surveying organizations and state boards of surveying is discussed.

This American history is essential to the understanding of the tradition and rich heritage that underlies the profession of land surveying today.

This course includes a multiple choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

American Land Surveying examines the history of surveying from the 1630s to today—more than 360 years. Students will become acquainted with the grand sweep and proud tradition of land surveying in America.

Upon completion of the course, students will have learned about the contributions of famous men who worked as surveyors, including

Students will be familiar with

The course also examines the regulation of surveying and its evolving status as a profession. Students will learn about

Upon completion of the course, students will have a greater appreciation for the proud and ancient profession of land surveying. Expertise in measuring has been one of the most valued skills known to man since the beginning of civilization. This course puts that expertise and knowledge into the broad context of history, reminding students that land surveying is far more than a mastery of mere technology. It is a tradition that goes back in time more than 3,000 years, and for more than 360 years in America alone.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for land surveyors and civil engineers.

Benefit to Attendees

Attendee of this course will have a greater appreciation for the proud and ancient profession of land surveying. Expertise in measuring has been one of the most valued skills known to man since the beginning of civilization. This course puts that expertise and knowledge into the broad context of history, reminding students that land surveying is far more than a mastery of mere technology. It is a tradition that goes back in time more than 3,000 years, and for more than 360 years in America alone.

Course Introduction

From the mid-1600s to today, surveying in America has traveled a long, tradition-bound road. Changes in the profession for some 325 years of that time were small, incremental and almost unnoticeable. Colonial surveyors inherited their tradition from the English, and their English brethren had inherited their knowledge from far earlier days. In fact, the mid 16th century—the period we now call the Enlightenment—in Europe opened up a period of feverish learning. That learning included the rediscovery of ancient geometry and trigonometry texts, as well as the translations of numerous Roman and Greek books, many of which referred in detail to the importance of surveying.

In time America developed its own traditions. Certain instruments were favored, and survey techniques were adopted. A unique and new rectangular subdivision system was created in the late 18th century. Famous Presidents spent years of their early careers in the survey field. Great writers worked similarly, considering surveying a noble profession. American survey texts were written and published in America. By the 19th century, some the world’s finest surveying instruments were being made in America.

The last 60 years of surveying history have seen land surveyors decouple from their old association with civil engineers. Further, the statutory definitions of surveying have expanded in the last 20 years. Measuring technology has taken almost unimaginable leaps in the last 15 years with the advent of electronic devices, satellite triangulation and advanced aerial photogrammetry tools.

Surveying has a bright future. Let’s take a look at its illustrious past.

Course Content

The course content is contained in the following file:

American Land Surveying, an Essential History: The Profession of Frontiersmen, Philosophers & Presidents (PDF, 38 pages, 2.2 MB)

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Course Summary

American Land Surveying examines the grand and sometimes tumultuous history of land surveying from its earliest days to its current status as a highly respected profession. The course surveys a period from the 1630s to today—more than 360 years.

From its earliest days, bold personalities were attracted to the work and famous men toiled in the field. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Daniel Boone, Abraham Lincoln and Henry David Thoreau all worked as surveyors, often serving crucial roles in their local communities as the creators of boundaries and lease holdings. Theirs were often the original footsteps, which surveyors for generations afterward retrace.

The course reviews ancient and pre-American colony surveys. It assesses Colonial and Public Land System surveys–how and why they developed into the complex systems that they are today. In addition to discussing famous personalities from the 18th and 19th centuries, the course reviews early surveying instruments, early surveying texts, metes and bounds descriptions and forms of monumentation. The expansion of federal and state surveyor regulations is discussed, as well as the movement within the profession in the 20th century to recognize the differences between surveys by civil engineers and surveys by boundary surveyors.

An overview is also provided of land surveying university programs, state licensure and the on-going discussion about the nomenclature of a Registered Land Surveyor (R.L.S.) versus a Professional Land Surveyor (P.L.S.). The role of accreditation by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES), national exams, continuing education, national surveying organizations and state boards of surveying is discussed.

This American history is essential to the understanding of the tradition and rich heritage that underlies the profession of land surveying today.

Related Links and 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)

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 and Donald A. Wilson.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

Take a Quiz

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.