Andrew Gray (surveyor) facts for kids
Andrew Belcher Gray (born July 6, 1820 – died April 16, 1862) was an American surveyor. He was known for mapping important areas and helping to set the borders of the United States. He also played a key role in planning the city of San Diego, California.
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Andrew Gray's Early Life and Work
Andrew Gray was born in Norfolk, Virginia. He learned about engineering and surveying from a man named Andrew Talcott. In 1839, they worked together to survey the Mississippi Delta. This is a large area of land formed by the Mississippi River.
After his work in the Mississippi Delta, Andrew Gray joined the Texas Navy as a midshipman. A midshipman is a junior officer in training. He stayed in the Republic of Texas and became a surveyor for the commission that was setting the border between Texas and the United States. This group was led by Memucan Hunt.
Mapping Minerals in Michigan
From 1844 to 1846, Gray worked for the U.S. government as a mineral surveyor. He mapped areas rich in copper in the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan. He also helped manage the government's mineral lands there.
Surveying the U.S.-Mexico Border
Andrew Gray returned to Texas during the Mexican–American War. After the war, he became the chief surveyor for the U.S.-Mexican commission. This group was tasked with drawing the new border after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Disagreement Over the Border
The U.S. Commissioner, John Bartlett, made a mistake on a map. This mistake meant that the Mesilla Valley, a valuable area along the Rio Grande, would be given to Mexico. Gray, who was from the South, strongly disagreed with this. He believed it was an unacceptable compromise. Because of his strong opposition, he was removed from the commission. His signature was needed to approve the border agreement.
Gray's Important Survey Work
Even though he was removed, Gray had already surveyed a large part of the original U.S.-Mexico border. This included the area from the Rio Grande, over the Black Range, down the Gila River to the Colorado River, and across southern California to the Pacific Ocean at San Diego. Later, the U.S. Congress agreed with Gray's view.
The Gadsden Purchase
Because of the border dispute, the U.S. President sent James Gadsden to Mexico City. He went to buy not just the Mesilla Valley but also a larger area known as the Gadsden Purchase. Gray's survey report said that this area was the best route for a railroad. This helped convince the Senate to approve the purchase in 1854.
Planning New San Diego
In 1849, Gray went with the border commission to San Diego. At that time, the town was located far from the water. Gray realized that a spot near San Diego Bay would be much better for a city.
A Vision for a New City
He shared his idea with people in San Diego, including William Heath Davis. Davis gathered other investors, and they started "New Town San Diego." Gray was a partner in this project and even built a small house there.
Challenges and Success
New Town faced many problems. There was a financial downturn in 1851, a lack of fresh water, and resistance from settlers in the older parts of San Diego. The project was not successful at first. However, Gray's idea was later brought back by Alonzo Horton in 1867. By 1880, the main part of San Diego had moved to the waterfront area that Gray had first identified. It remains there today.
Later Career and Legacy
In 1852, the Texas Western Railroad hired Gray. He led a survey to find a route for a railroad from San Antonio west towards the Colorado River and California. His detailed journals about this survey were published in 1856.
Mining and the Civil War
By 1857, Gray was in Arizona, working to promote copper mines. These mines were in areas that later became very important for copper production. However, high transportation costs and attacks from Apache tribes made it hard to open the mines fully.
Gray settled in Tucson, Arizona, and continued his surveying business. When the American Civil War began, he joined the Confederate States Army. He worked as an engineer, building defenses along the Mississippi River. Sadly, Andrew Gray was killed in 1862 when the boiler of a steamboat he was on exploded. He left behind his wife and three daughters.
