6th Principal Meridian Marker

Location:  From Mahaska, 1 mile West, and 1 mile North.  Mahaska is located, from Washington:  13 miles West to the Jct. of Hwys. US 36 and K-22, then North 3 miles to Haddam.  From Haddam take the county road 2 miles West, then 9 miles North and 1 mile West to Mahaska.

Nearest Towns:  Washington, Narka, Belleville, Mahaska, Morrowville

In the middle of an otherwise unremarkable and deserted road on the Kansas-Nebraska border in north central Kansas is located the surveyor's benchmark from which all property in Kansas, Nebraska, and parts of South Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado are referenced.

Soon after the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854, a survey was commissioned by the US Government so that the lands newly opened for settlement could be properly and legally plotted out for the homesteaders.  The survey was carried out by Charles Manners who started by erecting a Cast Iron Monument on the west bluff of the Missouri River in 1855 at 40 degrees North latitude--the Northern boundary of Kansas.  From this point, he surveyed 108 miles west and placed a red sandstone marker at the location of the 6th Principal Meridian.  The imaginary line between these two markers marked the border between the two future states.  The original sandstone marker is still intact under the manhole cover in the middle of the road, though part of it has been carted of to the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka.

Lifting the manhole cover reveals what's left of the original red sandstone marker placed here by Manner's survey team back in 1856.  This area was truly a wilderness back in those days, and this monument is as much a tribute to their courage as it is to their skills as surveyors.  For the Flatlander, too, finding this small, but important monument brings a sense of closure.   For fifteen years,since my first trip up to see the Cast Iron Monument near White Cloud in extreme Northeast Kansas, I had pondered what the "Red Sandstone Monument 108 miles to the west", mentioned in the information at the Cast Iron Monument, must look like.   Would it, like the Cast Iron Monument, still be intact after nearly 150 years?  Imagine my surprise and delight when I actually found this place of such mystery and intrigue after so many years of wondering about its existence.  I felt a great sense of accomplishment--not to mention some relief I hadn't smashed a finger or two--as I slid the rather heavy manhole cover back revealing the elusive "Red Sandstone Marker".  In the photo, above, you can see the actual sandstone marker.  A brass surveyor's benchmark has been placed on it in modern times.  The part of this stone that now resides in the Kansas History Museum may be viewed in the museum's display about the early days of the Kansas Territory.

An old stone under a manhole cover isn't the only thing here!  Quite an elaborate display has been erected by the Professional Surveyors of the 6th P. M.  (I wasn't aware there was such an organization!)   The site was dedicated by the group in 1987.  A monument made of Colorado Red Granite is the center piece and sets on a base made of stones from the five states influenced by the benchmark in the center of the road.

As one might expect in such a place of high significance to surveyors, there are benchmarks scattered here and there in the area, so watch your step.

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