1872 California-Nevada State Boundary Marker facts for kids
The 1872 California-Nevada State Boundary Marker is a special monument. It shows where the border between California and Nevada was first officially drawn in 1872. This important marker is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
Quick facts for kids |
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1872 California-Nevada State Boundary Marker
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The Nevada side of the marker
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 Location in Nevada
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| Location | South side of Henness Pass Rd at the California-Nevada state line |
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| Nearest city | Verdi, Nevada |
| Built | 1872 |
| Architect | Alexey Von Schmidt |
| NRHP reference No. | 81000387 |
| Added to NRHP | August 27, 1981 |
Contents
History of the Border Marker
When California became a state in 1850, it decided its eastern border would be at 120 degrees west longitude. This is an imaginary line running north and south around the Earth.
Between 1855 and 1900, people tried to find this exact line six different times. Each time, they found the 120-degree line in a slightly different spot.
The 1872 Survey
In 1872, a surveyor named Alexey W. Von Schmidt was hired to map out the state line. He was the only one who placed special markers along his survey line. He used stones, wood, and iron markers to show where the border was.
Later, in 1893, a new survey showed that Von Schmidt's line was a bit off. It was about 1,600 to 1,800 feet (about half a kilometer) west of the true 120-degree line.
Even though it was slightly off, both California and Nevada still recognize Von Schmidt's 1872 line as their official state border.
What the Marker Looks Like
The 1872 marker near Verdi, Nevada is a tall, four-sided pillar. It is made of cast iron and stands eight feet (about 2.4 meters) tall.
Each side of the marker has important words carved into it:
- The west side says "CALIFORNIA".
- The east side says "NEVADA".
- The south side says "1872, LONGITUDE 120 WEST OF GREENWICH, A.W. VON SCHMIDT, U.S.".
- The north side says "170 MILES 47 CHAINS TO OREGON".
A decorative wrought iron fence surrounds the marker. This helps protect it and shows its importance.
Why This Marker is Important
This marker is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is important because it marks the very first point of the official survey for the California-Nevada border. It is a lasting reminder of how state lines were created long ago.
