history

What The Heck is a Witness Post?

Witness Post Sign

Just an example of one of the odd little things that catch my attention.  I saw this sign near the field where my youngest daughter had soccer practice this week.  I wonder about its history and its purpose — the sign has certainly shown some wear and tear!  According to Wikipedia (<sarcasm>the most trustworthy of sources</sarcasm>):

The National Geodetic Survey (NGS), formerly the United States Survey of the Coast (1807–1836), United States Coast Survey (1836–1878), and United States Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) (1878–1970), is a United States federal agency that defines and manages a national coordinate system, providing the foundation for transportation and communication; mapping and charting; and a large number of applications of science and engineering. Since its foundation in its present form in 1970, it has been part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), of the United States Department of Commerce.

Wonder if I could find that “nearby survey marker”…