Original Corners in East Texas
Time limit: 90 days
3 credits
Instructor: Nedra Foster Townsend
Full course description
This online continuing education course serves to provide specialized knowledge for locating and documenting original survey evidence in the challenging terrain of East Texas. Led by Nedra Foster Townsend, RPLS, LSLS, the course follows actual boundary retracement work within the Big Thicket National Preserve, demonstrating the complete workflow from archival research through field recovery of corners originally established in 1869.
Participants will explore research methodologies for East Texas boundary work, including navigating Texas General Land Office records and evaluation of timber company archives that often hold the key to perpetuation evidence across multiple survey generations.
Through field demonstrations at original corners along Village Creek, you will observe the professional judgment required when evaluating corner evidence, understanding the hierarchy of natural objects versus artificial monuments, and the importance of perpetuation. The course explores the importance of following the footsteps of the original surveyor, discovering the "Eureka moments" when original witness trees and monuments reveal themselves, and ensuring this evidence remains documented for future generations of surveyors to come.
The course follows a workflow that is meant to mirror actual practice:
Module 1: Introduction & Project Area
Overview of East Texas surveying challenges, the Big Thicket region, and historical context of land grants.
Module 2: Preliminary Research
Encompassing the Texas General Land Office, original field notes from the 1860s, and utilizing timber company and oil company records.
Module 3: Creating the Working Sketch
Compiling research into detailed working sketches that serve as the field crew's guide.
Module 4: Field Work
Visiting the locations in the Big Thicket. Identifying original evidence, tying in physical markers, and documenting findings.
Module 5: Data Compilation & Project Wrap-Up
Returning to the office to reconcile field data with research. Compiling detailed maps and exercising professional judgment.