United States Army Corps of Engineers. Records of the Geographical Surveys West of the 100th Meridian,
Collection
Identifier: MSS-129-BC
Scope and Content
This collection contains data for all of the states within the survey area, with the exception of Idaho and Montana. There are 53 items in the collection, all of them bound volumes of survey observations. Included are books on triangulation, sextant astronomical observations, meteorological records, odometer readings, geodetic data, and observations for time. The bulk of data in the collection pertains to New Mexico and Colorado. Some observation books are undated.
Dates
- 1871-1879
Language of Materials
English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of print and photographic material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publications or distribution.
Historical Information
Several surveying expeditions funded by Congress were undertaken by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1869 and 1879, for the purpose of gathering data upon which to base a detailed topographic map. The expeditions were directed by Lt. George Montague Wheeler, and covered 359,065 square miles, including area within the states of New Mexico, California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, and Texas. In addition to the detailed topographic surveys, initial astronomic or geodetic points were established in Nebraska, Montana, and Washington Territory. These surveys are informally referred to as the Wheeler Survey.
Numerous mountain peaks and geographical areas in the American West are named after Wheeler, including Wheeler Peak in northeast New Mexico, the highest point in the state; and Wheeler Geological Area, formerly Wheeler National Monument, in Colorado. Wheeler himself made annual field trips to Colorado. His trip in 1874 included areas of northern New Mexico but only reaching as far south as Tierra Amarilla.
Numerous mountain peaks and geographical areas in the American West are named after Wheeler, including Wheeler Peak in northeast New Mexico, the highest point in the state; and Wheeler Geological Area, formerly Wheeler National Monument, in Colorado. Wheeler himself made annual field trips to Colorado. His trip in 1874 included areas of northern New Mexico but only reaching as far south as Tierra Amarilla.
Extent
2 boxes ( 2 cu. ft. )
- Astronomy -- Observations
- Discoveries in geography
- Meteorology -- Observations
- New Mexico -- Discovery and exploration
- New Mexico -- Surveys
- Southwest, New -- Discovery and exploration
- United States -- Discovery and exploration
- United States -- Surveys
- Wheeler, George M. (George Montague), 1842-1905
- Title
- Finding Aid of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Records of the Geographical Surveys West of the 100th Meridian, 1871-1879
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Donald Burge
- Date
- ©2000
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 129 BC::United States Army Corps of Engineers. Records of the Geographical Surveys West of the 100th Meridian)//EN" "nmu1mss129bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu