Initial Points: Anchors of America’s Grid



map
CLUI photo
The 32 Initial Points in the continental USA and the additional ones in Alaska are indicated as red dots, added to this map, originally published by the Bureau of Land Management. Since baselines are simpler to establish, as they follow latitude and can be easily measured astronomically, they were often surveyed first. The meridians, running north/south like longitude, took more time and calculation to determine, usually requiring weeks to do so. A Principal Meridian was set at the point where it met a baseline, and this intersection, of a principal baseline and meridian, is an Initial Point.

Explore the Initial Points:
THE POINT OF BEGINNING
FIRST PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN
SECOND PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN
THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN
FOURTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ILLINOIS
ST. STEPHENS MERIDIAN
HUNTSVILLE MERIDIAN
LOUISIANA MERIDIAN
FIFTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN
MICHIGAN MERIDIAN
WASHINGTON/ST. HELENA MERIDIAN
CHOCKTAW MERIDIAN
TALLAHASSEE MERIDIAN
FOURTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, WISCONSIN
CHICKASAW MERIDIAN
MOUNT DIABLO MERIDIAN
WILLAMETTE MERIDIAN
SAN BERNARDINO MERIDIAN
HUMBOLDT MERIDIAN
SIXTH PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN
SALT LAKE MERIDIAN
NEW MEXICO PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN
GILA AND SALT RIVER MERIDIAN
BOISE MERIDIAN
MONTANA PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN
NAVAJO MERIDIAN
INDIAN MERIDIAN
UINTAH SPECIAL MERIDIAN
WIND RIVER MERIDIAN
BLACK HILLS PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN
UTE MERIDIAN
CIMARRON MERIDIAN
ALASKA'S INITIAL POINTS