San Bernardino meridian, Principal meridian in Southern California, United States.
The San Bernardino meridian is a principal meridian in Southern California that runs from the Mexican border to Nevada. It serves as a fundamental reference line for dividing the land into rectangular survey sections across the region.
The meridian was established in 1852 by Colonel Henry Washington, who marked the starting point with a tall pole. This early survey line shaped how land measurement would be organized in this region for generations to come.
The meridian represents early American land surveying methods, with three distinct monuments marking different periods of measurement along its path.
The starting point requires a challenging hike through the San Bernardino Mountains to an elevation of about 10,300 feet. The route is demanding and requires good physical fitness and mountain hiking experience.
The starting point sits at one of the highest elevations among all principal meridians in the country. This makes the location a distinctive point in the history of American land surveying.
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