Land Surveyors United - Global Surveying Community2024-03-28T18:24:58Zhttps://landsurveyorsunited.com/hubs/mainelandsurveyors/forum/feed/allTracing the Pine Tree State: The Pioneering History of Surveying in Mainehttps://landsurveyorsunited.com/hubs/mainelandsurveyors/forum/tracing-the-pine-tree-state-the-pioneering-history-of-surveying-i2024-03-19T16:46:06.000Z2024-03-19T16:46:06.000Zchristopher lucashttps://landsurveyorsunited.com/surveyors/christopherlucas148<div><p><span style="font-weight:400;">Maine's surveying history weaves a profound tale of exploration, settlement, and boundary delineation, deeply entwined with the state's rugged terrains and maritime legacy. From its inception as part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony to its emergence as an independent state, surveying has been integral to Maine's narrative. This post delves into the evolution of surveying in Maine, spotlighting notable surveyors, significant landmarks, foundational societies, and key events that have shaped the surveying profession in this northeasternmost state.<a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12402216254,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12402216254,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="12402216254?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></span></p>
<p><strong>Early Surveying Efforts in Maine:</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Maine's surveying legacy began with colonial efforts to map and define lands for settlement and resource utilization. Navigating dense forests, intricate coastlines, and contested borders demanded meticulous surveying endeavors to establish precise land records.<a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12402215700,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-right" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12402215700,RESIZE_400x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="256" alt="12402215700?profile=RESIZE_400x" /></a></span></p>
<p><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12402216084,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12402216084,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="301" height="301" alt="12402216084?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a>Notable Surveyors and Their Contributions:</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Among Maine's surveying pioneers stands Moses Greenleaf, who, in the early 19th century, crafted some of the earliest accurate maps of Maine, spotlighting its expansive forests, rivers, and townships. His work served as a catalyst for settlement and development across the state.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Another significant figure, Simon Greenleaf, made substantial contributions to Maine's legal landscape through surveying, particularly in delineating land ownership and rights. His efforts laid the legal groundwork essential for Maine's growth and governance.</span></p>
<p><strong>Establishment of Surveying Societies:</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">The Maine Society of Land Surveyors (MSLS) embodies the commitment to excellence, education, and ethical standards within Maine's surveying community. Serving as a platform for advocacy, networking, and professional growth, MSLS equips Maine's surveyors to address the state's unique surveying challenges effectively.</span></p>
<p><strong>Notable Places Surveyed in Maine:</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">The surveying and demarcation of the Maine-Canada border, especially after the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842, represent pivotal milestones in Maine's surveying annals. Resolving this long-standing boundary dispute demanded precise surveying, crucial in defining Maine's northern limits.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Additionally, surveying Maine's vast timberlands has been essential for the state's economy. Surveyors meticulously mapped these resources, facilitating sustainable logging practices, land conservation, and economic planning, critical for Maine's development and environmental stewardship.</span></p>
<p><strong>Surveying and Land Disputes in Maine:</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Maine's history is punctuated by territorial conflicts, notably with British Canada. Surveyors played a crucial role in these disputes, providing accurate data and expertise to support negotiations and treaty settlements, ensuring Maine's territorial integrity and peaceful border coexistence.<a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12402216294,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12402216294,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="12402216294?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></span></p>
<p><strong>Impact of Surveying on Maine's Development:</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Surveying has been fundamental to Maine's progress, guiding infrastructure development, natural resource management, and urban planning. Surveyors' contributions have steered transportation projects, land conservation initiatives, and the growth of coastal and rural areas, shaping Maine's identity and economy.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Maine's surveying legacy underscores the enduring influence of the profession on the state's development, landscape, and legal frameworks. From colonial mappings to contemporary geospatial analyses, surveyors have been instrumental in understanding and shaping Maine's terrain. Looking ahead, the insights and skills of surveyors will remain indispensable, guiding Maine's continued growth, conservation, and development while honoring its rich history and natural splendor.<a href="{{#staticFileLink}}12402216670,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}12402216670,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="600" alt="12402216670?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></span></p></div>SURVEYORS AS RESEARCHERShttps://landsurveyorsunited.com/hubs/mainelandsurveyors/forum/surveyors-as-researchers2013-05-13T16:07:50.000Z2013-05-13T16:07:50.000ZDAVID C. GARCELONhttps://landsurveyorsunited.com/surveyors/DAVIDCGARCELON<div><p>Lalith Senanayake of Sri Lanka asked the question "Are surveyors researchers?"</p><p></p><p>The definition of research seems to fit the role of surveyors perfectly.. 1) Scholarly or scientific investigation or inquiry. 2) Close and careful study. I would also point out that the word study is defined as 1) The act or process of studying; the pursuit of knowledge, as by reading, observation, or research. 2) Attentive scrutiny. 3) A branch of knowledge., etc.</p><p>Have we ever considered that surveyors are involved in "Research and Development" in the sense that we gather all of our research and develop use it to solve the boundary problem presented to us by our client.</p><p></p><p>There are some general descriptions of the type of research we do...when I started surveying 50 years ago it was spoken of as 1) "Deed or land records research" and 2) "Reconnaissance".</p><p>Land record research includes researching deeds to determine "Location of Title"; while it does not require us to determine "Ownership of Title", we should understand enough about ownership of title to inform our clients attorney of possible problems with ownership. Land record research also includes searching for surveyors maps and records.</p><p></p><p>Reconnaissance requires the "on the ground" search for monuments and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">ANY</span> other indications of the possible location of a boundary, such as stone walls, fences, land use (One owners land is a field, the abutting owner's land is a forest...where is the line between them?), etc.</p><p></p><p>Once the actual surveying is done, the surveyor must develop and analyze(develop) both aspects of his research to determine (or have an opinion) where the property lines are. This development and analysis often causes the surveyor to want to more research before they make a final decision.</p><p></p><p>Making final decisions about the location of a boundary is certainly not part of a beginning surveyors role.</p><p>The decision making process is <span style="text-decoration: underline;">BOTH</span> science and art, and comes not only from study but also from experience, The experience should be as an understudy of a professional surveyor.</p><p></p><p>David C. Garcelon</p></div>Maine Mapshttps://landsurveyorsunited.com/hubs/mainelandsurveyors/forum/maine-maps2013-03-21T15:14:24.000Z2013-03-21T15:14:24.000ZDAVID C. GARCELONhttps://landsurveyorsunited.com/surveyors/DAVIDCGARCELON<div><p>I have dowloaded with this discussion 3 maps (pre 1800) of Maine you might enjoy.</p><p> If you like them let me know and I will put some more into an Album.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}1200665503,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_self"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}1200665503,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="Maine Survey Maps" width="100%" class="align-full"/></a></p><p>David C. Garcelon</p></div>SEA & SHORE BOUNDARIES AND SURFACE WATERShttps://landsurveyorsunited.com/hubs/mainelandsurveyors/forum/sea-shore-boundaries-and-surface-waters2013-03-20T00:02:21.000Z2013-03-20T00:02:21.000ZDAVID C. GARCELONhttps://landsurveyorsunited.com/surveyors/DAVIDCGARCELON<div><p>Two great publications for Maine Surveyors are:</p><p>"Sea and Shore Boundaries" by Aaron L. Shalowitz, LL.M. of the US Coast and Geodetic Survey.1964 in two volumes, 1169 pages total. This is probably the best work ever published on this subject!</p><p>AND</p><p>NATIONAL WATER COMMISSION - "A Summary Digest of State Water Laws" by Richard L. Dewsnut & Dallin W. Jensen, Editors and Robert W. Swenson, Associate Editor. Published in 1973, 826 pages.</p><p></p><p>For anyone surveying on salt water or fresh water boundaries, these two books should definitely be in your library.</p><p>David C. Garcelon</p></div>Narrowbandinghttps://landsurveyorsunited.com/hubs/mainelandsurveyors/forum/narrowbanding2013-01-19T19:51:53.000Z2013-01-19T19:51:53.000ZScott D. Warner, PLShttps://landsurveyorsunited.com/surveyors/ScottDWarnerRLS<div><p><span class="font-size-4">How do you feel about narrowbanding?</span></p><p><a href="http://landsurveyorsunited.visibli.com/2472f54c426b60fc/?web=c525e8&dst=http%3A//transition.fcc.gov/pshs/public-safety-spectrum/narrowbanding.html" target=""><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}1200662689,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="439" class="align-full"/></a></p><p></p><p><span class="font-size-4">How will this affect your business?</span></p></div>Surveying at the University of Mainehttps://landsurveyorsunited.com/hubs/mainelandsurveyors/forum/surveying-at-the-university-of-maine2012-08-07T22:57:49.000Z2012-08-07T22:57:49.000Z⚡Survenator⌁https://landsurveyorsunited.com/surveyors/Survenator<div><p>For surveyors interested in learning more about surveying in the state of Maine, check out this video from the MSLS.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rTVTFbYJ3Nw?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
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<p>University of Maine Surveying Program<br />
Connect with other surveyors in Maine on the Maine Surveyors Group forum<br />
<a href="http://landsurveyorsunited.com/group/mainelandsurveyors">http://landsurveyorsunited.com/group/mainelandsurveyors</a><br />
and on <a target="" href="http://landsurveyorsunited.visibli.com/2472f54c426b60fc/?web=407549&dst=http%3A//www.msls.org/">http://www.msls.org/</a></p>
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