Alexey W. Von Schmidt

Alexey W. Von Schmidt is a boundary marker in San Bernardino County that marks the state line between California and Nevada. The iron column was installed as part of early land surveying work and now stands as a historical landmark along Pew Road.

The marker was erected in 1873 by engineer Alexey W. Von Schmidt following a comprehensive survey to establish the boundary between California and Nevada. This surveying work was part of the larger effort to officially define state territories across the region.

The marker represents a vital chapter in American westward expansion, demonstrating the technical methods used to define state territories in the 19th century.

The marker sits away from major roads, roughly 2.6 miles south of the State Line, and requires effort to locate and visit. Visitors should prepare accordingly for accessing a remote historical site.

The marker placed by Schmidt contained a calculation error that positioned it roughly 490 to 550 meters west of the actual border line. This surveying mistake was discovered later and had implications for the actual boundary in the area.

GPS coordinates: 35.01409,-114.66204

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:21