Indian meridian, Principal meridian in Oklahoma, US
The Indian Meridian is a north-south reference line running through Oklahoma at longitude 97 degrees 14 minutes 30 seconds west of Greenwich. It extends from the Red River on the southern border to the Kansas boundary in the north, serving as a crucial reference for land survey work across the state.
Surveyors E. N. Darling and Thomas H. Barrett established this meridian in 1870, placing its starting point about one mile south of Fort Arbuckle. The work was part of larger efforts to map the territory and organize land claims following the relocation of tribes to the region.
The meridian takes its name from the Indian Territory period and reflects how land was reorganized when settlers moved into Oklahoma. People today see this line as a marker of how the region was divided and claimed during a transformative era.
The meridian itself is not visibly marked on the landscape, as it exists primarily as a survey reference line. The initial point has been preserved and marked, making it a destination for visitors interested in surveying history and land measurement.
The initial point of this meridian was added to the National Register of Historic Places, giving it official status as a historical landmark. This recognition highlights how instrumental the line was in shaping the region's development.
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